Seventh Generation vs Ecos Laundry Detergent | What’s Better?

Seventh Generation and Ecos are both highly rated, eco-friendly brands with lines of cleaning products, including laundry detergent. When you’re looking for an environmentally friendly laundry detergent option, these two names are going to be top of the list.

To determine which is the better laundry detergent, we’re going to take a look at the products each brand offers, their ingredients, their effectiveness, and so much more! We’ll help you confidently choose the better laundry detergent for you and your family.

Let’s start by learning what the difference between these two similar brands are and then we’ll dive into the specifics. If you’re wondering which brand provides the better laundry detergent, then you’re in the right place!

What’s the Difference Between Seventh Generation and Ecos Laundry Detergent?

Seventh Generation and Ecos have very similar laundry detergent products. Both brands use a plant-based formula that’s eco-friendly and cruelty free. Both brands are also dedicated to cutting down on waste and using recyclable packaging. So, what’s the difference between Seventh Generation and Ecos laundry detergent?

There are a couple of differences, actually! All the Ecos detergents are branded as being hypoallergenic, while Seventh Generation’s aren’t. In a similar vein, all of Ecos products are certified vegan and Seventh Generation’s products, despite not containing any animal products or by-products, aren’t certified vegan.

There are also some minor differences in their laundry detergent products ingredients, but we’ll delve further into that later in this guide.

Seventh Generation

This company was founded in Burlington, Vermont in 1980. It began as a mail order service providing resource, energy, and water saving products. Their name stems from an old Iroquois saying that, “in every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

As this business expanded, their core values continued to revolve around creating eco-friendly products that use sustainably sourced ingredients. Part of their mission has been inventing new processes and packaging that helps cut down on waste.

What Products Does Seventh Generation Offer?

Seventh Generation has an impressive line of laundry detergents that are all 100% vegan and completely plant-based. When you’re looking for sustainably sourced, eco-friendly laundry detergent, you should consider checking these Seventh Generation products out!

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Ultra Concentrated EasyDose

Seventh Generation’s original laundry detergent comes in compact 23oz bottles that use 60% less plastic than others. This detergent uses a powerful, plant-based formula with enzymes that can tackle even the toughest of stains. The Ultra Concentrated EasyDose detergent comes in fresh lavender, mango & mandarin, and rose fragrances. They also have a Free & Clear version that doesn’t contain any dyes, fragrances, or artificial brighteners.

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Power+ EasyDose

The Seventh Generation Power+ detergent contains 6x the amount of powerful enzymes so this formula can tackle even the toughest stains and messes. The EasyDose bottle allows for zero mess and zero waste of detergent as all you need to do is squeeze the bottle and it releases exactly the correct amount of detergent every time. You can get the Power+ detergent in rose, tropical grove, mango & mandarin, alpine falls, and fresh lavender scents.

Seventh Generation Concentrated Baby Detergent

Parents who are looking for an eco-friendly, safe, and effective laundry detergent will feel good about this Seventh Generation Baby Detergent. With powerful enzymes and a plant-based formula, this detergent is perfect for cleaning away all the messes that come along with babies.

Seventh Generation Zero Plastic Laundry Detergent Powder

This laundry detergent contains all the power of Seventh Generation’s plant-based formula, but comes in packaging that doesn’t contain any plastic. This detergent powder is designed for use with HE and Standard Machines. It’s biodegradable and comes in scents made with 100% essential oils and botanical ingredients.

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs

For even less chance of mess or wasted detergent, these Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs contain all the power of their original plant-based formula in single doses. You can get an Ultra Powered version that uses even more tough enzymes to eliminate the toughest messes and they come in a variety of 100% essential oil and botanical-ingredient based fragrances.

How to Use Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent?

Seventh Generation makes their laundry detergent incredibly easy to use! For their EasyDose bottles, all you need to do is turn the bottle upside down over your machine’s drum or dispenser and give it a firm squeeze. The bottle will dispense the correct amount of detergent every time!

For their powdered detergent simply measure 1 tablespoon for medium loads, or 2 tablespoons for large or heavily soiled loads. Add the powder to your machine’s dispenser or drum and run your load as normal.

The laundry packs are even easier. Simply take one pod, place it in your machine, and run your load as normal!

What Are The Ingredients in Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent?

Seventh Generation only uses sustainably sourced plant-based ingredients for their laundry detergents. Here’s the list of ingredients found in their original detergent.

• Water
• Laureth-6
• Propylene Glycol
• Octyl/Decyl Flucoside/ Caprylyl/Decyl Flucoside
• Glycerin
• Sodium Oleate
• Sodium Chloride
• Citric Acid
• Protease
• Amylase
• Mannanase
• Fragrances

Is Seventh Generation Toxic?

Seventh Generation’s products are all made with plant and mineral-based ingredients. Their products are non-toxic and very environmentally friendly. They even have versions of their detergents that are absent of artificial brighteners, fragrances, and other common allergens.

Ecos

Van Vlahakis began Ecos in 1967. He opened the first Ecos facility in Bensenville, Illinois. Vlahakis was originally from Greece where all-natural and eco-friendly cleaning methods inspired him to create his own line of cleaning products that protect the health of people and the planet.

Since his humble beginnings, Vlahakis’s company expanded to include facilities on the West and East Coast of the US. Ecos received the EPA’s highest level of recognition in 2008, and this company has continued to focus on improving their product’s environmental consciousness while reducing waste and their carbon footprint.

What Products Does Ecos Offer?

Eco has a solid variety of laundry detergent products that are all environmentally friendly and designed to reduce waste. Their products are all non-toxic, cruelty-free, and made from plant-based ingredients. Here’s a list of the products they currently have available.

Ecos Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent

This hypoallergenic formula lifts stains, brightens whites, and protects colors- all with the power of plants! This product uses coconut as a powerful active ingredient that’s a natural cleaner and renewable source. You can get the Ecos Hypoallergenic Detergent in lavender, magnolia & lily, and lemongrass fragrances. They also offer a Free & Clear version that is absent of fragrances.

Ecos Baby Laundry Detergent

The Ecos Baby Laundry Detergent is made with a 2x concentrated formula that’s tough on stains and messes, while still being gentle on clothes. This detergent is free of fragrances, optical brighteners, parabens, phosphates, and phthalates. It’s dermatologist-tested to be safe on the most sensitive skin and is pH balanced.

Ecos Laundry Detergent Pods

When you need a simple laundry solution that eliminates messes, the Ecos Laundry Detergent Pods are the perfect product for you! These pods utilize a 3-in-1 formula that contains plant-based detergents, stain removers, and fabric softeners. These products are also hypoallergenic and come in Free & Clear.

Eco Liquid Laundry Detergent Squares

These laundry detergent squares are plastic-free, hypoallergenic, and super convenient. They come in compact packaging that you can take with you anywhere, and also come in a choice of fragrances, including lavender & vanilla or magnolia & lily. This also comes in a Free & Clear option.

How to Use Ecos Laundry Detergent?

Ecos has made their laundry detergent products very easy and simple to use. For their liquid laundry detergent, just measure one ounce and add it to your machine’s dispenser or drum.

When using the pods or squares, simply add one to your machine’s drum and run a load as normal. Doing laundry is convenient and easy with Ecos products.

What Are The Ingredients In Ecos Laundry Detergent?

The ingredients in Ecos laundry detergents are all plant based and sustainably sourced. Here’s a list of ingredients found in their original liquid detergent.

• Water
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Sodium Coco-Sulfate
• Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
• Phenoxyethanol
• Sodium Citrate
• Sodium Formate
• Caprylyl Glycol
• Fragrance
• Enzymatic Blend
• Sodium Hydroxide

Is Ecos Toxic?

All of Eco’s products are non-toxic. Their ingredients are all plant or mineral based, and their fragrances come from essential oils and other natural ingredients. Their products are also hypoallergenic, making them safe for almost everyone to use!

Comparison Questions (Seventh Generation vs Ecos)

Is Seventh Generation or Ecos More Affordable?

Brands that are eco-friendly, low-waste, and plant-based tend to cost a little more than other brands. That extra cost goes towards safeguarding our environment and your health! But, when debating between two eco-conscious brands like Seventh Generation and Ecos, finding the more affordable brand is a must for most people.

The best way to determine which brand is more affordable is to compare the price per ounce of their liquid laundry detergent. Here’s a table that does just that:

Brand	Price Per Ounce
Seventh Generation	$0.30
Ecos	$0.13

As you can see from the table above, Seventh Generation is nearly double the price of Ecos, which makes Ecos laundry detergent the more affordable product.

Which Detergent is More Powerful?

Since Seventh Generation and Ecos use similar formulas for their products, it can be tough to determine which is the more powerful. They both use plant and mineral-based formulas that rely on powerful enzymes to clean and lift stains from clothes.

When you look at their ingredients, you’ll see that Ecos formula contains more surfactants than Seventh Generation’s. The additional surfactants will help the detergent spread throughout the water and penetrate deep into your clothes. This definitively sets Ecos as the more powerful product.

Which Provides A Larger Variety of Products?

Both Seventh Generation and Ecos have a plentiful variety of products and fragrances available. They also each has something that the other doesn’t have. Seventh Generation has their unique zero plastic powder detergent, while Ecos has laundry squares. In this comparison, Seventh Generation and Ecos are at a draw.

Are Both Cruelty Free?

Ecos displays on their website and products very prominently that their laundry products are all 100% cruelty free. This brand never tests on animals and is very open about their process.

Seventh Generation is also cruelty free. They advocate strongly for animal rights and never test on animals. Both of these brands are making strides to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Which Product is More Environmentally Friendly?

Both Seventh Generation and Ecos focus on using only plant-based, sustainably sourced materials and each brand is devoted to cutting down on waste. Both are also cruelty-free and are making strides to help create a more environmentally focused and protected world.

Ecos is leading the EPA’s safer choice program, fighting for ingredient transparency, advocating for safer green chemistry, and working to protect children from toxic chemicals.

Seventh Generation is devoted to fighting for climate justice, reducing plastic and waste, eliminating chronic toxins from their products by 2025, and pushing for other companies to rely on sustainably sourced ingredients as well.

Both companies are making huge strides to be inspirational eco-friendly businesses, but Ecos is slightly ahead of Seventh Generation. Their products are completely biodegradable, hypoallergenic, Climate Safe, and more!

The Verdict – Which Is Better?

Choosing the best laundry detergent is serious business for most families, especially for people with sensitive skin or young children. When comparing Seventh Generation vs Ecos, we delved into the different products they offer, their affordability, their effectiveness, and more.

While both brands offer a good range of products, are eco-friendly, and made from similar ingredients, Ecos comes out ahead of Seventh Generation. Their formula creates a more powerful detergent and they’re slightly ahead of Seventh Generation in their efforts to fight for climate justice and other environmental protections.