Member’s Mark Plant Based Liquid Laundry Detergent, Lavender

This enzyme-powered liquid laundry detergent delivers robust stain-fighting and grease-cutting performance through a balanced blend of anionic and nonionic surfactants and targeted bio-enzymes.

Performance Rating: 8.5

The formulation demonstrates high cleaning efficacy powered by a robust blend of primary surfactants, builders, and a comprehensive multi-enzyme system. The combination of sodium lauryl sulfate, C12-14 alcohols ethoxylated, and sodium cocoate effectively lifts stubborn grease, oils, and particulate matter. Water conditioning from sodium citrate and trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate enhances surfactant activity by sequestering hard water minerals, while sodium polyacrylate prevents soil redeposition. Additionally, the targeted blend of protease, amylase, and mannanase enzymes breaks down complex protein, starch, and polysaccharide stains, delivering strong stain-removal performance across various fabric types.

Safety Rating: 5.7

The safety profile is moderate due to the inclusion of several recognized sensitizers and irritants. Strong anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate can cause skin dryness and mucosal irritation upon direct exposure. More significantly, the preservative system utilizes methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and benzisothiazolinone, which are potent skin sensitizers capable of triggering contact dermatitis and allergic reactions. The presence of fragrance and the fragrance allergen limonene adds further potential for sensitivity, although this is partially offset by gentler, biodegradable chelating agents such as sodium citrate and trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate.

Final Rating: 7.3

Overall, the product represents a high-performing laundry detergent with moderate safety trade-offs. Its formulation excels at deep cleaning and broad-spectrum stain removal thanks to an effective surfactant matrix and synergistic triple-enzyme complex. However, the overall score reflects substantial caution regarding ingredient safety, driven primarily by the presence of aggressive isothiazolinone preservatives and common fragrance allergens. This creates a capable, mainstream household cleaner that provides thorough stain-fighting results while remaining less ideal for households with sensitive skin, respiratory vulnerabilities, or pre-existing contact allergies.

Verdict

The core cleansing power of this formula relies on a synergistic surfactant system featuring sodium lauryl sulfate, C12-14 alcohols ethoxylated, and sodium cocoate. This combination provides strong foaming and emulsifying capabilities that lift oily soils, sebum, and general grime from textile fibers. To support surfactant efficiency across various water conditions, the detergent incorporates eco-conscious chelating agents, namely sodium citrate and trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate. These builders bind hard water minerals, preventing calcium and magnesium ions from deactivating the wash chemistry and ensuring consistent cleaning performance in both soft and hard water.

A major strength of this formulation is its comprehensive triple-enzyme complex containing protease, amylase, and mannanase. Protease actively breaks down difficult protein stains like blood, sweat, and grass, while amylase tackles sticky starch residues from gravies, sauces, and pasta. Mannanase specifically targets food thickeners and gums found in ice creams, salad dressings, and cosmetics. The formula also includes calcium chloride, which acts as a crucial enzyme stabilizer to maintain enzymatic activity during storage, allowing the detergent to deliver exceptional stain removal even during eco-friendly cold-water wash cycles.

To preserve fabric appearance over repeated laundering, the formulation utilizes sodium polyacrylate as an anti-redeposition polymer. This ingredient suspends soil particles in the wash liquor and prevents them from settling back onto clean garments, keeping white fabrics luminous and preventing colored clothing from dulling or turning dingy. Together with the surfactant matrix, this creates a thorough wash cycle that extracts deep-seated dirt from woven fibers and flushes it away cleanly during the final rinse, contributing to garment longevity and fiber freshness.

Despite its impressive stain-removal profile, this detergent presents potential drawbacks for sensitive users due to its preservation and fragrance components. The preservation system utilizes a combination of benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and methylchloroisothiazolinone, which are potent biocides with known contact allergy potential. Paired with added fragrance and limonene, this detergent leaves a fresh citrus aroma but poses a significant risk of skin irritation or contact dermatitis for individuals with eczema, compromised skin barriers, or severe fragrance sensitivities.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 月桂基硫酸钠

Purpose: Primary anionic surfactant that lifts and removes oily soils, stains, and dirt from fabrics.

Concerns: Can cause skin and eye irritation at higher concentrations upon direct contact.

Notes: Commonly derived from coconut or palm kernel oil and known for producing rich foaming action.

🧪 C12-14 Alcohols Ethoxylated / C12-14 醇聚氧乙烯醚

Purpose: Non-ionic surfactant that targets greasy and oily residues and aids detergent solubility in cold water.

Concerns: May contain trace impurities such as 1,4-dioxane depending on the ethoxylation and purification process.

Notes: Works synergistically with anionic surfactants to enhance overall soil removal efficiency.

🧪 Sodium Cocoate / 椰油酸钠

Purpose: Natural soap surfactant that aids cleaning and acts as a built-in foam regulator.

Notes: Produced by the saponification of coconut oil fatty acids with sodium hydroxide.

📁 Chelating Agents / 螯合剂与助洗剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Acts as the primary solvent and liquid vehicle to dissolve and disperse all formula ingredients.

Notes: Forms the continuous base phase of liquid laundry detergent formulations.

🧪 Sodium Citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Acts as a builder, water softener, and pH buffer by sequestering calcium and magnesium ions.

Notes: A readily biodegradable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional phosphate builders.

🧪 Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate / 二羧甲基丙氨酸三钠

Purpose: High-performance chelating agent (MGDA) that captures hard water minerals and heavy metals.

Notes: A modern, rapidly biodegradable chelating agent that serves as a green replacement for EDTA.

🧪 Sodium Polyacrylate / 聚丙烯酸钠

Purpose: Functions as an anti-redeposition agent and dispersant, preventing removed dirt from settling back onto clothing.

Concerns: Slow to biodegrade in aquatic environments.

Notes: Helps maintain formula stability and clarity while improving particulate soil suspension.

🧪 Calcium Chloride / 氯化钙

Purpose: Provides free calcium ions necessary to stabilize and preserve the structure of enzymes in liquid form.

Notes: Used at very low concentrations specifically to prevent premature enzymatic degradation during storage.

📁 Active Ingredients / 活性成分

🧪 Protease Enzyme / 蛋白酶

Purpose: Enzyme that catalytically breaks down protein-based stains such as blood, grass, egg, and sweat.

Concerns: Can cause respiratory sensitization or irritation if inhaled in raw dust form, though safe in liquid detergents.

Notes: Engineered to deliver optimal stain-degrading performance at ambient and warm washing temperatures.

🧪 Amylase Enzyme / 淀粉酶

Purpose: Enzyme that targets and hydrolyzes starch-based stains from foods like pasta, gravy, chocolate, and sauces.

Notes: Operates effectively at lower wash temperatures, helping reduce the need for aggressive hot water cycles.

🧪 Mannanase Enzyme / 甘露聚糖酶

Purpose: Enzyme that breaks down difficult mannan- and guar gum-based stains found in ice cream, cosmetics, and salad dressings.

Notes: Deconstructs polysaccharides that often act as adhesive binders for secondary dirt and particulate soils.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Benzisothiazolinone / 苯并异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Isothiazolinone-based biocide (BIT) that prevents microbial, mold, and bacterial growth in water-based products.

Concerns: Known contact allergen and skin sensitizer upon direct undiluted exposure.

Notes: Provides long-term product preservation in household and industrial cleaning solutions.

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Synthetic biocide (MIT) providing broad-spectrum protection against bacterial contamination.

Concerns: Potent skin sensitizer and contact allergen; heavily regulated in leave-on cosmetic products.

Notes: Highly potent antimicrobial effective at very low parts-per-million levels in rinse-off formulas.

🧪 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Potent antimicrobial preservative (CMIT) that inhibits fungal and bacterial proliferation.

Concerns: Strong skin irritant and sensitizer, frequently associated with allergic contact dermatitis.

Notes: Commonly supplied and used together with Methylisothiazolinone in a standard 3:1 synergistic ratio (Kathon CG).

📁 Fragrance / 香精香料

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Imparts a pleasant scent to the detergent and leaves a fresh aroma on laundered textiles.

Concerns: May trigger contact allergies or respiratory sensitivities in fragrance-sensitive individuals.

Notes: A proprietary blend composed of various synthetic aroma chemicals and natural essential oils.

🧪 Limonene / 柠檬烯

Purpose: Fragrance compound providing a fresh citrus note while offering mild solvent assistance against greasy stains.

Concerns: Can oxidize upon air exposure to form secondary compounds that are recognized skin sensitizers.

Notes: Naturally occurring terpene found in citrus peel oils, legally required to be declared on labels in many jurisdictions.