After using these detergents on our own laundry, Tide Free & Gentle is our winner. It gives us the best balance of everyday cleaning, easy availability, and a fragrance-free formula. all free clear Advanced OXI is the runner-up and remains our choice for stains and heavily soiled clothes, while all free clear Odor Relief is our pick for sweaty clothes and towels.
We’re a family with young children, and we’re sensitive to fragrance and some detergent ingredients. Over the years, this has led us to try many different laundry detergents. Not long ago, fragrance-free options were surprisingly hard to find. Thankfully, there are far more choices now, but we’ve learned that they do not all work equally well.
All six detergents in our main list are fragrance-free liquids. The fragrance-free Tide + Downy detergent has been discontinued, so it appears separately below.
Our fragrance-free laundry detergent picks
| Detergent | Why choose it? | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tide Free & Gentle Liquid | Best overall for reliable everyday cleaning | 4.9/5 |
| all free clear Advanced OXI | Runner-up and best for stains and heavily soiled loads | 4.8/5 |
| Persil Free & Sensitive | Strong stain remover with a whitening and brightening formula | 4.6/5 |
| all free clear Odor Relief | Best for sweat and odors, with strong stain-cleaning performance | 4.5/5 |
| Amazon Basics Free & Clear | Best budget option for regular everyday loads | 4.3/5 |
| Seventh Generation EasyDose Free & Clear | Compact and easy to use, but weaker on stubborn grease | 4.1/5 |
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Why choose fragrance-free laundry detergent?
Fragrance does not make detergent clean better. Its purpose is simply to leave a scent behind on clothes, towels, and bedding, all of which come into direct contact with your skin. That is why we think fragrance-free detergent is a sensible choice for most households, and especially for anyone whose skin is easily irritated by perfume or fragranced products.
For people with sensitive skin and eczema, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using laundry detergent that is free of both fragrance and dyes.
Look for the words fragrance-free, perfume-free, or no perfumes. “Unscented” can mean that a product has no noticeable smell, but it does not always mean that no fragrance was added. Our guide to fragrance-free, unscented, and hypoallergenic labels explains the difference.
How we chose the detergents
We used these liquid detergents for regular family laundry and paid most attention to how well they cleaned clothes and handled stains. We also considered whether they left a scent, how easy they were to measure, the packaging, and value for money.
Liquid, pods, or powder?
- Liquid detergent: Versatile and easy to measure. It dissolves readily at different wash temperatures and is particularly convenient for pre-treating stains because you can apply a small amount directly to the fabric.
- Pods: The easiest option if you do not want to measure detergent. They are convenient and mess-free, but usually cost more per load and give you less control over the amount of detergent you use.
- Powder: Often the most economical choice and can work particularly well on dirt, clay, and heavily soiled loads. It can also be used for pre-soaking or pre-treating stains, although this usually requires mixing it with water first. Powder may be less convenient than liquid, especially in very cold washes where some formulas can be slower to dissolve.
We also learned not to compare products only by the load count printed on the front. The dose changes with load size, soil level, and machine, so the promised number of loads may not match how long a bottle lasts in a real household. A compact bottle is only convenient if its dosing mechanism works, and a low price is less appealing if the nozzle leaks or the detergent leaves residue. Those practical details affected our rankings.
We checked the current US product information on September 7–8, 2026. Product ranges and packaging can change, so check the name and fragrance claim on the bottle when you buy.
Which all free clear detergent should you choose?
The all free clear range has three fragrance-free detergent options. All three are 100% free of perfumes and dyes, but each one has a different focus.
| Version | Best for | Available as |
|---|---|---|
| The Original | Everyday laundry | Liquid, concentrated liquid, or MIGHTY PACS |
| Advanced OXI | Stains and heavily soiled clothes | Liquid, concentrated liquid, or MIGHTY PACS |
| Odor Relief | Sweaty clothes, towels, and other odors | Liquid, concentrated liquid, or MIGHTY PACS |
Choose The Original for regular loads, Advanced OXI when stain removal matters most, or Odor Relief for laundry that needs extra help with smells. Advanced OXI is our favorite from the all free clear range and our runner-up overall.
The best fragrance-free laundry detergents
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid: Best overall
Tide Free & Gentle cleaned our clothes well and did not leave a perfume scent. Its cleaning performance and easy availability make it a straightforward choice for regular family laundry, especially for anyone who already likes Tide.
The US version is free of dyes and perfumes. Tide Free & Gentle carries both the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition. Tide sells separate formulas for regular and high-efficiency washing machines. Our 4.9/5 rating is for the HE liquid we used.
Choose this for the best all-round fragrance-free detergent. For the toughest stains or heavily soiled clothes, all free clear Advanced OXI may be the better fit.
all free clear Advanced OXI: Runner-up and best for stains
all free clear Advanced OXI is our runner-up and our first choice when stain removal matters most. It has been one of our favorite fragrance-free laundry detergents for a few years and cleaned heavily soiled clothes and difficult stains better than the other detergents we used, while remaining free of added perfume.
The Advanced OXI formula is 100% free of perfumes and dyes and is made for tackling stains.
Choose this if you regularly wash very dirty clothes or want extra help with difficult stains.
Persil Free & Sensitive: Strong stain remover
We tried the concentrated Persil Free & Sensitive and found it especially good on stains, including old chocolate marks on a toddler’s T-shirts.
The formula is free of fragrance and dyes. It has a whitening and brightening formula, so keep that in mind if you prefer a detergent without added whitening or brightening.
Choose this for strong stain removal, especially if you already like Persil.
all free clear Odor Relief: Best for odors
all free clear Odor Relief was especially good at removing tough odors without covering them with perfume. We initially expected “odor relief” to be more of a marketing claim, but it gave laundry the fresh result people often associate with scented detergent. It also cleaned stains well, although Advanced OXI still had the edge on the hardest marks.
The Odor Relief liquid is 100% free of perfumes and dyes. It can also be rubbed directly onto a stain before washing.
This is our first choice for workout clothes, towels, and other laundry where odor is the main problem.
Amazon Basics Concentrated Free & Clear: A simple everyday detergent
Amazon Basics Free & Clear cleaned everyday laundry well. It offers good value for money, especially for routine loads.
It is free of perfumes and dyes and works in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines. Choose it for regular loads.
Seventh Generation EasyDose Free & Clear: Best compact bottle
Seventh Generation EasyDose is the easiest option to measure. One squeeze dispenses one load, so there is less mess and less chance of using too much. For a larger load, we found it simple to squeeze again. It cleaned everyday laundry well, but stubborn grease stains needed more help.
The Free & Clear version is fragrance-free and comes in a compact 23.1 fl oz bottle without dyes or masking agents. It is USDA Certified Biobased and also carries the EPA Safer Choice and Leaping Bunny certifications. Compared with Seventh Generation’s 90 fl oz bottle, the EasyDose bottle uses 60% less plastic and 50% less water while weighing 75% less.
Some readers have told us that this detergent irritated their skin, although we did not have that reaction. Fragrance is not the only possible irritant, so stop using any detergent that causes a problem.
A detergent we no longer rank
Tide Free + Downy: Previous rating 4.5/5
The fragrance-free Tide + Downy detergent has been discontinued. It cleaned day-old stains well and contained a touch of Downy, so we did not need to add a separate fabric softener. The current Tide Plus a Touch of Downy is scented.
Detergents that did not make our main list
Kirkland UltraClean Free & Clear: 3/5
Kirkland UltraClean Free & Clear cleaned reasonably well, but the liquid felt thick and sometimes left residue on clothes. We also had leaks from the nozzle on several bottles, which made the large jug awkward to store and use. Our 3/5 rating and comments about the nozzle apply to the bottles we used.
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear: Previous rating 3/5
The Arm & Hammer detergent we used was fine for lightly soiled clothes, but it did not remove harder stains as well as our top picks. The current perfume-free and dye-free version is more concentrated and uses a different stain-fighting formula. We have not retested it, so our 3/5 rating applies only to the earlier version.
Frequently asked questions
Will fragrance-free detergent clean as well as scented detergent?
Yes. Fragrance adds scent rather than cleaning power. The right fragrance-free detergent can remove everyday dirt, sweat, and stains without leaving perfume on your clothes.
How much detergent should I use?
Follow the markings on your bottle and use the amount for your load size and machine. More detergent does not always mean cleaner clothes, and too much can leave residue behind.
What should I do if a detergent irritates my skin?
Stop using it and wash the clothes again with a detergent you already tolerate. Fragrance-free is a better starting point, but another ingredient may still bother your skin. If irritation is severe, keeps returning, or you are unsure what is causing it, talk to a doctor or dermatologist.
Which detergent should you choose?
Choose Tide Free & Gentle for the best all-round balance of cleaning and everyday convenience. all free clear Advanced OXI is the runner-up and our choice for heavily soiled clothes and difficult stains. Persil Free & Sensitive is another strong option for stains, while all free clear Odor Relief is our pick for sweaty clothes and towels.
Amazon Basics Free & Clear also works well for everyday laundry. Seventh Generation EasyDose is the easiest to measure and store.
For more ways to reduce perfume at home, see our beginner’s guide to living fragrance-free and our guide to fragrance-free products we use.
the all free & clear with stainlifters is by far the best in my opinion. We accidentally purchased the odor relief but are returning same. A while back Costco has(had?) All free & clear stain lifters PLUS and that made me itch like no tomorrow and my animals (pet blankets washed with all normally). Had to rewash all and return the PLUS to costco. I even wrote the company but no one responded. However I noticed you have 7th generation that was another allergy itch for me and my pet. so just wanted to share some experience with the all brand and also the 7th generation.
Thank you for your website info as so many people (incl friends) use such strong detergent and wonder they are sick or tired or whatever reaction may manifest due to perfumes! Thanks,
Thanks for sharing your comments and detailed feedback. We really appreciate it and so do our readers. We’ll take your comments into consideration when we update our review of fragrance-free laundry detergents and we’ll test the All Free & Clear PLUS. We agree that the All Free & Clear Stainlifters is the best fragrance-free laundry detergent currently on the market. While we have not experienced similar reactions with the 7th Generation, we’ll add a note about it.
I am also allergic to Seventh Generation! The free and clear laundry detergent and dish soap are both soooo irritating!
Thanks for the additional comment, Stephanie. We have made a note in the review above and we’ll be sure to revisit the 7th Generation Free & Clear when we update our review of the best fragrance-free laundry detergents.
I have used Tide Free & Gentle for years and this last bottle I purchased now has fragrance! Not only do fragrances cause asthma attacks in me, I must not experience the scent the same as the general population because it all smell horrible to me. Now I’m not sure what to use. I understand there are scents in all unscented products, but the scent in Tide used to. me significantly more neutral than this newest iteration.
Thanks for letting us and our readers know, Kari. We’ll be updating our review of the best fragrance-free laundry detergents soon, and we’ll make sure to take a closer look at Tide Free & Gentle.
Have you evaluated Miele’s fragrance free Ultraphase detergent? I dislike their Aqua scent detergents but like the convenience of having the wash machine measure out the required doses.
Thanks for the recommendation, Robert. We’ll test Miele’s fragrance-free Ultraphase detergent when we update our review of the best fragrance-free laundry detergents. We might not include it in our list since it requires a Miele washer (though they are a fantastic brand), but we’ll test it regardless.
I am steering clear of anything with oxi clean in it. I just had a severe contact dermatitis reaction from a detergent with oxi clean in it – and that was literally the only difference between that detergent and the previous ones I used. I switched over to Tide Free & Gentle, and so far so good. Also using Bounce Free & Gentle, because I never want to experience that reaction ever again. It was severe enough that I wound up in the ER.
We’re sorry to hear that you had an allergic reaction to the Oxi component! We hope you are feeling better. It’s not something we have heard of before, but we’ll make sure to make a note of it, and as always, we recommend testing any new product carefully. Especially for anyone like us who suffers from contact dermatitis.
Tide’s Free and Gentle definitely has a fragrance. I used Tide Free and Clear for years. Something has changed in the formula along with the name. It is toxic to those of us who do not tolerate chemical fragrance. I can no longer use it.
We’re sorry to hear that you reacted to the Tide Free & Clear fragrance-free laundry detergent. We have re-tested and used it regularly in our households and have not experienced any allergic reactions. We have also contacted Tide, who could not give an unequivocal answer. Reactions can be very individual, so we always recommend testing any fragrance-free laundry detergent first.
I want fragrance free liquid for samsung front load washing machine? Which is the best?
Thanks for your question. While we don’t have any specific recommendations for Samsung washing machines, we suggest you try any of the above-recommended fragrance-free laundry detergents, which should all work well with Samsung’s front-loading washing machines.
Who has the best fragrance free fabric softener? My little dog has suddenly started scratching endlessly and my vet told me to switch products. Went to Target earlier today and could not find any free and clear fabric softener. Help!
We recommend the All Free & Clear Concentrated Fabric Softener Liquid (https://amzn.to/3Ocl8kH). We’re working on a comprehensive test of fragrance-free fabric softener, so stay tuned, and in the meantime, consider the option from All, which is currently our favorite.
Tide Free and Gentle smells awful. I thought the bottle I was using had gone bad and just bought another. The new one smells just as bad. Very disappointing – used tide for years but will now look for another product.
Hi Val,
We’re sorry to hear that you found the Tide Free and Gentle laundry detergent smells bad, and thanks for alerting us about the issue. We have not experienced the same when we tested it, and it should still be completely fragrance-free. However, we’ll make a note and make sure to perform a thorough, long-term test for our next update.
Please do a guide on the best fabric softeners that are fragrance-free!
Thank you for your suggestion! We truly appreciate your interest in fragrance-free products. We’re already working on a guide on the best fragrance-free fabric softeners, so stay tuned for updates on our website.