Truly Free Laundry Detergent Honest Review

Truly Free Laundry Detergent is one of the most widely recommended brands in the clean living space. It’s endorsed by countless non-toxic influencers, but does it truly live up to its "non-toxic" reputation? In this article, we take a deep dive into its ingredients so you can make an informed decision.

A note: I always root for small businesses, and I truly love seeing them succeed. Many of the influencers who recommend this brand are ones I follow and genuinely enjoy. However, despite the hype, I just can’t get behind this brand.

Original Research: October 3, 2024 Updated: February 2025

About Truly Free

Truly Free started as a subscription-based cleaning product company, originally known as MyGreenFills. The brand was founded on the idea of offering refillable, non-toxic cleaning solutions as an alternative to conventional household cleaners. Their model emphasizes reducing plastic waste by using refillable pouches instead of single-use bottles.

While this is a step in the right direction for sustainability, like many eco-conscious brands, their focus on packaging seems to overshadow concerns about ingredient safety.

What We Love About Truly Free

There are two things I genuinely appreciate about this company:

✔️ They give back. Truly Free supports multiple safe houses and orphanages in three countries. If you want to make Ivy cry, just bring up children without homes, parents, or stable family figures—this part of their mission is something I deeply respect.

✔️ Their refill concept is great. My journey into clean living actually started with a passion for reducing plastic pollution. As a South Florida resident, we see firsthand how plastic pollutes our beaches and waterways.

That said, sustainability isn’t just about packaging—it’s also about ingredients.

Our Experience With Truly Free

In early 2024, as I prepared to launch Crunchy & Co., I decided to order Truly Free after seeing so many influencer recommendations. They have a very successful affiliate program, which likely contributes to their widespread endorsements.

🚩 The Fragrance Disclosure Issue

When I received the product, I immediately noticed some questionable ingredients.

The label listed "Signature Scent Blend of Essential Oils and Plant-Based Fragrances."
When I asked them to fully disclose their fragrance ingredients, their response was concerning:

• They outsource their scents to a company called Flavors and Fragrances (a company I couldn’t find online).
• They confirmed their blend contained essential oils AND fragrance oils (a term often used for synthetic fragrances).

The problem? Undisclosed fragrance can contain any combination of over 3,500 chemicals, many of which have not been tested for safety. It’s also estimated that 75% of fragrances contain phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors.

When I requested more details about Flavors and Fragrances so I could contact them about their ingredient policy, Truly Free ignored my request.

🚩 The Ingredient Label Mishap

Months later, while preparing my summary, I noticed their ingredient list had changed on the website. It now listed:

⚠ Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (DDBSA) → A pollutant toxic to aquatic life.
⚠ Later updated to Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate → A derivative of DDBSA.

Confused, I dug deeper and found out that Truly Free had not actually changed its formula—they had misprinted the original ingredient list. Then mistyped it on their website, and then corrected it in the summer. And then again some time after that to what it shows today. See CEO's issued apology here. See screenshots. 

A notable improvement is that they now fully disclose all fragrance ingredients, eliminating the vague "signature blend" label. However, a potential concern is that the order of ingredients has also changed, and new ingredients are appearing (including new fragrance ingredients). This could mean one of two things: the original ingredient order was incorrect, or they have modified their formula. (For reference: Ingredient lists are required to be arranged from highest to lowest concentration).

The CEO issued an apology, explaining that the website’s ingredients had been incorrect all along. While humans make mistakes, this was a significant one, considering their target audience is hyper-focused on ingredient transparency and safety. I was honestly a bit surprised at the mishandling of their ingredients disclosure.

Where Truly Free Misses The Mark

Here are my biggest concerns with the ingredients in Truly Free's Laundry Detergent as the label states today:

• 🛑 Sodium Polyacrylates → A petroleum-derived polymer with microplastic concerns. This is the same ingredient that makes disposable diapers a pollutant because it is not biodegradable. In this product, it is in liquid form, but that does not negate the biodegradability concerns. And since detergents are often flushed into our soil and waterways, it is given direct access to pollute our water. Sodium Polyacrylates should never be ingested. (explanation from a supplier of SP, a helpful article)
  
• 🛑 Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate → A harsh detergent. It is a synthetic derivative of Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (DDBSA)—a known aquatic toxin that is highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. While Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate is less acidic than DDBSA, it retains similar toxicological concerns, including potential environmental hazards. Studies show that it is highly toxic to aquatic life, posing risks to fish and other organisms when washed into waterways. According to NOAA, "immediate action should be taken to limit its spread to the environment." (EWG, Science Direct, NOAA on SDBS, NOAA on DDBSA)
• ⚠️ Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) → This is a mild surfactant, and certainly a better choice than SLS or ethoxylated surfactants. I personally prefer surfactants which are processed using acid-catalyzed condensation (a post on surfactants coming soon). SLSA is processed using a sulfation reaction with sulfur trioxide, which can make it a bit more irritating for people with sensitive skin. While not inherently toxic for most people, it's not the best choice and it's a surprising choice for a company with an origin story rooted in skin sensitivity. Again, not the most toxic choice, but not the best choice either. (EWG, CIR)
  

While they now appear to disclose their fragrance ingredients, I remain skeptical due to their original mention of fragrance oils. However, it seems likely that employees simply lacked a full understanding of ingredient terminology, which contributed to all the misinformation and mislabeling of their products.

A Classic Tale for Eco Brands

Truly Free is not alone—many eco-conscious brands focus on reducing plastic waste but overlook ingredient safety. While packaging matters, the ingredients inside the bottle affect both human health and the environment.

What to Watch Out for in "Eco" Products:

❌ Petroleum-derived ingredients
❌ Synthetic fragrance & undisclosed blends
❌ Water pollutants & harsh detergents

Always approach “eco-friendly” claims with skepticism. A brand may use refillable packaging, but if their formula contains harmful chemicals, is it really sustainable?

Our Verdict & Alternative Recommendation

Is Truly Free the worst laundry detergent out there? No. But is it truly non-toxic and environmentally friendly? Also no.

If you’re looking for a cleaner alternative, our top recommendation is Root & Splendor—a woman-owned small business with a powerhouse formula using only the safest surfactants and five powerful enzymes to tackle grime. At nearly the same price per load as Truly Free, we choose this one.

I’d love to see Truly Free enhance their ingredient standards, especially given their strong presence in the non-toxic space. However, as it stands, we simply can’t support this brand.