Laundry detergents may look simple from the outside. But inside the bottle, the formula has to do several jobs: break down stains, lift soils, prevent redepositing, neutralize odors, and rinse clean without harming fabrics or skin. That requires a layered system of ingredients, each one chosen to solve a different part of the puzzle.

Surfactants: The Soil Lifters

Surfactants are the cleaning backbone of detergent. They reduce surface tension so water can penetrate fabrics, then lift away dirt, grease, and oils. Natuary’s Laundry Detergent Concentrate uses a wide range of surfactants:

• Decyl Glucoside: A sustainable surfactant from plant oils that cuts through dirt without harshness
• Lauryl Glucoside: Stronger, but still gentle, ideal for heavier dirt and grease
• Lauramine Oxide & Myristamine Oxide: Emulsifiers that boost cleaning power and help condition fabrics
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate: An amino acid -based surfactant that gently cleans while softening fibers

This range allows the detergent to tackle multiple soil types while rinsing clean, unlike single-surfactant formulas that can leave buildup.

Enzymes: Targeted Stain Breakers

Once soils are lifted, enzymes go to work on the residues that remain. Stains aren’t all the same, so one enzyme can’t do the job. A full spectrum is needed:

• Lipase: Breaks down fats and oils, like grease stains, bacon drippings, or vinaigrette spills.
• Protease: Targets protein-based stains like blood, egg, and dairy.
• Amylase: Removes starch-based stains from foods like pasta, potatoes, or sauces.
• Cellulase: Works on plant-based messes such as mud, grass stains, and fruit juice.
• Urease: Breaks down uric acid in urine, converting it into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This helps eliminate odors from wet bedding, clothing, and pet accidents.

This diversity means stains get dismantled at the molecular level, rather than masked or only partially removed.

Odor Control: Neutralizing, Not Masking

Instead of using added fragrance to cover odors, Natuary uses zinc ricinoleate - a biodegradable compound from castor oil that binds to odor molecules and neutralizes them. Clothes smell fresh because odor is removed, not hidden.

We learned this firsthand when developing our formula. While we initially tried to create a scented version, we realized our detergent's powerful, clean-rinsing formula was so effective that the scent wouldn't cling. We're proud of this "failure" because it reinforces our commitment to a genuinely residue-free wash. If something is still on your clothes after the rinse, it wasn’t fully removed.

Anti-Redeposition: Keeping Laundry Clean in the Wash

Once soils are lifted, detergents need to keep them from resettling onto fabrics. Most formulas rely on synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals. Natuary uses a readily biodegradable, plant-based anti-redeposition agent, a modified polysaccharide from starches and cellulose. It prevents color transfer and keeps stains from reattaching without the harmful ingredients.

Rinsability & Fabric Care

Water chemistry can make or break detergent performance. Chelating agents like tetrasodium gluconate diacetate bind to minerals in water, preventing film, stiffness, or buildup on fabrics. Propylene glycol acts as a solvent, keeping ingredients evenly blended so they disperse in the wash water and rinse out fully.

This is where many safer-sounding detergents fall short. Without proper rinsability, soap and soils can get trapped in fabrics, leading to dulling, buildup, and the need to "strip" clothes. Natuary’s formula is designed to rinse away cleanly, so nothing lingers to attract more dirt. The result is fabrics that feel fresh, not coated.

From our FAQ's:

Can I use Natuary's Laundry Detergent to remove buildup from other detergents on clothes or bedding?
Yes! Natuary's plant and mineral-based surfactants are exceptionally effective at cleaning and free-rinsing, which means they don’t leave behind the residue common in many conventional detergents. In fact, the first time you wash laundry with Natuary, the formula may work to remove leftover buildup from previous products - sometimes even cleaning your washer in the process!

For heavily coated fabrics (like those washed repeatedly with conventional detergents or softeners), we recommend washing twice or doing a warm soak with Natuary's Laundry Detergent Concentrate to help lift away deeper residue. Once the buildup is cleared, you’ll notice fresher-feeling fabrics and more consistent results with regular use.

Stability & Safety

Every liquid formula needs preservation. Phenoxyethanol, used at less than 1% concentration, prevents microbial growth while keeping the formula stable. It is biodegradable and rinses away completely in the wash, leaving nothing behind on fabrics or skin.

The Formula in Full

An effective detergent isn’t built around one "hero" ingredient. It’s the system that matters. Surfactants lift soils. Enzymes dismantle stains. Odor neutralizers eliminate smells. Anti-redeposition agents keep laundry clean throughout the cycle. Chelators ensure everything rinses away.

When these parts work together, you get laundry that looks, feels, and is actually clean.

Natuary’s Laundry Detergent Concentrate is built to handle the full cycle: stains, odors, buildup, and rinse-out. For laundry days that need more, the Laundry Stain Remover offers targeted pre-treatment, and OxyBoost amps up brightness and odor removal without harsh additives.

[Shop the Natuary Laundry System]

Want a closer look at what's inside? Every ingredient mentioned here is detailed in our Ingredient Library including their EWG ratings.