Ingredients We Use
Core Value: Stay Mindful of People and the Environment
At Molly’s Suds, we know you want to be mindful of the ingredients you’re bringing into your home.
In a world where chemicals are not explained, it can be hard to find laundry and household cleaners made with truly safe ingredients, which can make you worry about using harsh chemicals unknowingly.
You should feel confident the ingredients you bring into your home are safer for you, your family, and the planet.
We know how it feels to search for better alternatives but not find a product that meets your standards.
After the loss of our daughter, Molly, our founder began searching for a potential cause of this tragedy. She discovered our only protective barrier - our skin - cannot protect us from harmful chemicals found in laundry detergent.
As a mom and pediatric nurse, Monica decided we all deserved better. That’s why she created Molly’s Suds.
We adhere to strict ingredient integrity because your health and well-being are too important to settle for “good enough.”
Here’s how you do it:
- Switch to safe-for-you cleaning supplies.
- Clean your home worry-free.
- Reduce the use of harsh chemicals!
So you can stop feeling unsure about the ingredients you’re using and start using only the best ingredients.
We strive to use earth and plant-derived ingredients to enhance efficiency and cut down on cleaning time without compromising your family’s health through exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and carcinogens. We work closely with our partners and suppliers to ensure that our products work as well as conventional brands, and align with our promise to be better for people & the planet.
Our brand is certified Cruelty-Free by Leaping Bunny (since 2011) and all of our detergents and cleaning products are made with safer, simpler ingredients as compared to conventional brands. Our natural fragrances are derived from natural plant essences and oils. Our natural fragrances are ISO-16128 compliant and free of petrochemicals, solvents, dyes, and pesticides. (Learn more)
Molly's Suds products do not contain: Synthetic Fragrances, Dyes, Contaminants such as 1,4 Dioxane, Formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Optical Brighteners, Phosphates, Chlorine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Phthalates, Parabens, Methylisothiazolinone, Cocamide DEA, and more.
Here’s what we use and why*:
*Note, as we are always launching new and exciting products, the list below may at times be incomplete (or contain ingredients that were previously used, but are not currently used) as we work to constantly refresh the full list of ingredients found across our entire range of products.
Alcohol (Denatured)
Function: To preserve, blend and stabilize ingredients
Description: In addition, denatured alcohol is used to speed the drying time in household cleaning products.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, All Sport, Room Deodorizer Spray
Alcohol (70% Isopropyl Alcohol)
Function: To sanitize
Description: Our alcohol has been carbon filtered and dries quicker than other types of alcohol.
Found in: Fabric & Hand Sanitizing Spray
Amylase
Function: Stain removal
Description: This bio-based enzyme is used to break down starch-based food stains from fabrics. Ex: Cereals, gravy, potato, pasta. Especially good in low temperature washes.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Benzyl Alcohol (and) Glyceryl Caprylate (and) Glyceryl Undecylenate
Function: Preservative
Description: These 3 ingredients are used together as one preservative system that is primarily derived from plants and vegetables. In manufacturing, they are primarily used as an effective solvent, preservative, and sometimes even as a fragrance component. This means it helps other ingredients blend together for a smooth, stable end product that can last a long time on the shelf. The trio of safe preservatives are a safe alternative to estrogen mimicking preservative systems and really work well together in our formulas to prevent mold, bacteria, and microorganism growth.
Found in: Dish Soap, Stain Remover Spray
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Function: Surfactant / Wax
Description: Shea butter is a vegetable fat obtained from the fruit of a tree native to Africa, Butyrospermum parkii. This is the ingredient that helps to soften your hands when using our Dish Soap Bar.
Found in: Dish Soap Bar
Cellulase
Function: Stain Removal
Description: This bio-based enzyme is used to remove citrus, fruit, and wine stains from clothing.
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Citric Acid
Function: Cleans, balances pH, breaks down hard water minerals
Description: This acid is often derived from citrus fruit. We love it for its amazing ability to cut through hard water minerals and remove tough stains. The disinfecting properties of this plant-powered ingredient make it an awesome cleaning agent to tackle buildup in clothing fibers (like body oil and sweat). Citric acid also balances pH, improves shelf-life, and helps keep your washing machine sparkling clean and free from gunky build-up.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap, Oxygen Whitener, Room Deodorizing Spray
Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil
Function: Hard water removal, Natural fragrance
Description: Aids in the removal of hard water minerals in our Oxygen Whitener and adds a safe natural fragrance in our Sink SCRUB.
Found in: Citrus Sink SCRUB, Oxygen Whitener
Cocamide MEA
Function: Foaming agent and emulsifier
Description: Cocamide MEA, or cocamide monoethanolamine, is made by combining the fatty acids of coconut with monoethanolamine. It works as a foaming agent and emulsifier to enhance the properties of the primary cleansing agents in our laundry detergents, moving the cleansing action evenly throughout the wash for a deeper, more efficient clean. We choose to use Cocamide MEA as an alternative to its counterpart Cocamide DEA. Cocamide MEA is milder and has therapeutic effects, while Cocamide DEA may irritate the skin, cause contact dermatitis for those with skin allergies, and has even been linked to cancer. It’s amazing how two ingredients which sound so similar can be so different!
Found in: All Sport
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Function: Surfactant
Description: Derived from coconut oil. It’s safe, eco-friendly surfactant that provides a deep clean without the risks of harsh chemicals. Our Cocamidopropyl Betaine is free from Dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and Amino Amides.
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Coco Glucoside
Function: Non-Ionic Surfactant
Description: Coco glucoside is a clean surfactant derived from plant-derived feedstocks (from corn, coconut, and palm kernel oils), which are eco-friendly and renewable. It emulsifies, conditions, and adds foam to detergent products. Unlike most surfactants, this one is completely biodegradable, GMO-free, and does not contain parabens, phthalates, laureth sulfates, or other hazardous, harsh endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Coco glucoside is a mild ingredient safe for even the most sensitive skin, and safe for septic tanks and HE washing machines.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, Stain Remover Spray
Coconut Acid
Function: Soap Base
Description: A surfactant and cleansing agent commonly used in bar soaps that is derived from coconut oil.
Found in: Dish Soap Bar
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemon Grass) Oil
Function: Natural fragrance
Description: Just one of the natural oils that gives our Citrus Sink SCRUB its amazing scent.
Found in: Citrus Sink SCRUB
Decyl Glucoside
Function: Non-ionic surfactant and cleansing agent
Description: While many of us have been conditioned to think that all surfactants are dangerous, clean non-ionic surfactant options do exist, with greatly diminished risks. Decyl glucoside provides us with a safe alternative to harsh sulfate surfactants. Sulfates, such as SLES, are well-known for being hard on the environment, and especially aquatic life. Decyl glucoside is a safe, eco-friendly alternative that provides a deep clean without the risks. Our Decyl glucoside is obtained from 100% renewable raw materials, through a combination of plant-based fatty alcohol, decanol, which is derived from coconut and glucose (corn starch). It’s gentle, non-irritating, non-allergenic, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and doesn’t have any known adverse effects on bodily organs or on reproductive health. It’s the ideal surfactant for people who have sensitive skin.
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Deionized Water
Function: Solvent
Description: Deionized water is exactly what it sounds like — water with the ions removed! This means it has no positive or negative charge. Deionized water is created by exposing regular water to electrically charged resins. These small resin particles bind to the ions within the water before being filtered out. At Molly’s Suds, we use deionized water as a soft solvent for our formulas. Deionized water is incredibly useful because it is a true water blank. In controlled testing and production, deionized water adds no additional mineral variables, such as sodium, calcium, or potassium, into the manufacturing process.
Found in: All Liquid Products
Functionalized Alkyl Polyglucoside
Function: Non-ionic surfactant
Description: Derived from renewable, plant-derived resources (coconut-derived) that are free from essential oils, 1,4-Dioxane-free, contain no VOCs, and free from Prop 65 components (DEA and DCA). This ingredient performed well in testing for acute skin irritation and showed no potential for dermal irritation after a 48 hour occlusive skin patch test.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray
Gluconolactone
Function: Water softening, stability, prevents oxidation
Description: Gluconolactone is a naturally-occurring lactone. Lactones are cyclic esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids. Sound complicated? You are actually more familiar with them than you might realize, as lactones are a part of nature’s building blocks. They contribute to the aroma of fruit, butter, cheese, oils, and other plants, and can be found in vitamins, enzymes, and even hormones. We use it in our formulas as a sequestrant, which is a fancy way of saying that it improves the shelf stability of the product and prevents oxidation. It also helps to reduce soap scum caused from hard water minerals.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function: Surfactant & Emulsifying Agent
Description: Glyceryl Caprylate is an emulsifier it prevents the liquid and oily parts of a product from separating.
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Function: Emulsifier
Description: Glyceryl Undecylenate is derived from a combination of castor bean oil and rapeseed derived glycerine. It acts as an emulsifier and has antimicrobial properties.
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Glycerin (Non-GMO Vegetable Glycerin)
Function: Thickening agent
Description: We use a non-GMO vegetable glycerin that is derived from RSPO* Certified Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil.
Found in: All Sport, Dish Soap, Stain Remover Spray, SWIM™, Fabric & Hand Sanitizing Spray (*RSPO, the Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil is a non-profit organization that developed the criteria for environmentally and socially responsible palm oil cultivation.)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Function: Disinfection, Odor remover
Description: The hydrogen peroxide adds to the killing and disinfecting power of the formula and lasts longer on clothes and fabrics than the alcohol, so you get longer lasting activity. Hydrogen Peroxide is also a good deodorizer, which the alcohol alone is not.
Found in: Fabric & Hand Sanitizing Spray
Isopropylideneglycerol
Function: Stability and Cleaning Agent
Description: We use food grade Isopropylideneglycerol that is phthalate-free and does not contain any nanoparticles, soy, wheat, sulfates, tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, eggs or corn.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Lauryl Glucoside
Function: Non-ionic Surfactant
Description: Made from renewable resources (corn, coconut, and palm oil derivatives), mild, and readily biodegradable.
Found in: Dish Soap
Magnesium Sulfate (Heptahydrate)
Function: Water softening
Description: Magnesium Sulfate is more commonly known as Epsom Salts. We use contaminant-free magnesium sulfate to naturally assist the removal of buildup in the fibers of your laundry and your washing machine. You’ll notice when you choose to use Molly’s Suds products, your machine will not gradually fill with stinky gunk. Our source is triple-filtered in the USA and certified safe for use in organic formulations.
Found in: Original Laundry Powder (Unscented and Peppermint)
Maltodextrin
Function: Anti-clumping agent
Description: We use a food grade Maltodextrin to prevent clumping in our Super Powder Laundry Detergents.
Found in: Super Powder
Mannanase
Function: Stain Removal
Description: This bio-based enzyme is used to remove mannan stains like those from foods containing guar gum. Incomplete removal of these types of stains may result in graying of fabric.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, Super Powder, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Maris Sal (Unrefined Sea Salt)
Function: Cleans, softeners, and prevents clumping
Description: This ingredient is just as simple as it sounds! Minimal processing ensures that this ingredient is dense with element and minerals without being exposed to harsh chemicals traditionally used to prevent clumping. By using this ingredient, we omit the need for borax in our formulas, which can irritate sensitive skin. Our source is triple-filtered in the USA and certified contaminant-free and certified safe for use in organic formulations.
Found in: Original Laundry Powder (Unscented and Peppermint), Super Powder
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil / Organic (Arvensis) Peppermint Oil
Function: Natural fragrance
Description: The crisp refreshing scent of sweet peppermint. For those individuals who have an allergy to salicylates, these scents may be irritating and should be avoided. Many families choose to avoid the use of peppermint scented products when washing infant clothing.
Found in: Sink SCRUB, Original Laundry Powder Peppermint
Natural Fragrances
Function: Natural fragrance
Description: Our natural fragrances are derived from natural plant essences and oils. They are Safer Choice and ISO-16128 compliant. Free of petrochemicals, solvents, dyes, and pesticides.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, Sink SCRUB, Dish Soap, SWIM™, Delicate Wash, Super Powder, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Pectinase
Function: Stain removal
Description: This bio-based enzyme is used to remove pectin-based stains, such as jams, jellies, berries, and processed tomato foods and sauces. Pectinases fully remove these types of stains by degrading the pectin, ensuring that your clothes are really clean.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Phenoxyethanol
Function: Preservative
Description: Phenoxyethanol is a gentle, mild preservative that is rated "B" by the Environmental Working Group and known to be effective in higher pH environments. It is used to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast that are known to inhabit liquid detergent formulations, thereby ensuring a safe, contaminant-free product ultimately makes its way to the shelf and to our customers.
Found in: Liquid Laundry Detergent
Plant-Based Enzymes
Function: Stain removal
Description: We use the following plant-based enzymes in our All Sport, Stain Remover Spray, and Super Powder Laundry Detergents: Amylase, Mannanase, Protease, Pectinase, and Lipase. These ingredients each break down different types of stains to leave you with only the cleanest clothes.
Found in: All Sport, Stain Remover Spray, Super Powders
Polysorbate 20
Function: Non-ionic surfactant and emulsifying agent. Blends our natural fragrances to avoid separation.
Description: Polysorbate is a harmless sugar alcohol called sorbitol, which has been treated with ethylene oxide. You’ll often find it in food products as an emulsifier, crystallization retarder, solubilizer, stabilizer, and flavor dispersant. We use it as a non-toxic, non-ionic surfactant and emulsifying agent that powers cleaning action in our formulas. It is particularly helpful in encouraging fragrances to blend smoothly into products without separating. It’s important to note that some sources of polysorbate 20 are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen and dangerous by-product. Knowing this, we are exceptionally careful in sourcing polysorbate 20 that is free of nitrosamine and any occurrence of 1,4 dioxane.
Found in: Scented All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap, SWIM™, Delicate Wash, All Sport Activewear Detergent (Note: Polysorbate 20 is not present in unscented versions)
Potassium Citrate
Function: Balances pH
Description: Potassium Citrate is a potassium salt of citric acid. It’s used to regulate pH and reduce acidity. It’s often found in food products and can even be taken as a dietary supplement to help balance pH within the body. Our potassium citrate is food-safe — though that certainly doesn’t mean we’d recommend you ingest any of our products. Why do we use it? To help balance the pH in the wash! When your water’s pH balance is too far from neutral, it can start to damage your fabrics and make them seem dingy or worn. Balanced pH means cleaner laundry and clothes that look brighter and last longer.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, Room Deodorizer Spray
Potassium Cocoate
Function: Surfactant
Description: Made from coconut oil, this clean liquid surfactant is a compound that removes dirt from the fibers of your laundry when mixed with water. Our potassium cocoate is derived from raw Certified Organic Coconut Oil and is processed according to the standards required for organic certification. It is biodegradable, made from renewable and sustainable sources, and is preservative free. This pure coconut oil soap is rated a #1 by the EWG, is ECOCERT approved, and produced from food-grade coconut oil.
Found in: SWIM™, Delicate Wash
Potassium Sorbate
Function: Preservative
Description: Potassium Sorbate is a potassium salt of sorbic acid. It is naturally found in the berries of the mountain ash tree. It is an antimicrobial compound frequently used as a preservative in multiple industries, including the food and wine industry. It is widely recognized as a very safe ingredient. In fact, the qualities of potassium sorbate are remarkably close to that of table salt!
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner
Propanediol
Function: Solvent, Humectant
Description: Propanediol helps the different ingredients work well together and keep them from separating. It is a liquid glycol-derived from renewable sourced corn and is an alternative to petroleum-derived glycols found in many conventional laundry products.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, All Sport Activewear Detergent
Protease
Function: Protease
Description: This bio-based enzyme is used because of its effectiveness on common stain components, such as food, grass, and blood.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, Super Powder, All Sport Activewear Detergent
PVOH
Function: Water-Soluble Film
Description: PVOH is the building block of water-soluble films used in many household, medical and personal-care applications, including laundry detergents as well as other detergent capsules, textile yarns, paper products, unit-dose pharmaceuticals, “artificial tears” used to treat dry eyes and even contact lens lubricants. The film completely dissolves upon contact with water, and has been shown in studies to not contribute to plastic or microplastic pollution. The safe use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH / PVA) is documented and recognized by the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Found in: Dishwasher Detergent Pods, Laundry Detergent Sheets, Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Pods
Saccharomyces Ferment
Function: Neutralizes odors, stain removal
Description: Rated 1 by the EWG, Saccharomyces ferment is a fermentation of the Saccharomyces bacteria, in the family of fungi. Strains of Saccharomyces are used to ferment beer and wine, and some are even used in bread. We use this ingredient because its live enzymes help to break down odor-causing compounds, removing stink and stains from your clothing.
Found in: SWIM™, Delicate Wash
Sodium Benzoate
Function: Preservative
Description: A widely used food preservative, sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is naturally found in cranberries, prunes, plums, and other fruit. We use it as a safe, non-toxic preservative in our detergents. While the safety of sodium benzoate has been questioned in food use and in applications related to skin care, it is absolutely safe as a preservative system in household cleaners. It’s a great alternative to the endocrine disrupting preservatives commonly used. We do not want bacteria to grow in our products, and this is extremely safe in our formulas.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner
Sodium Bicarbonate (Aluminum-Free)
Function: pH adjuster and enhances detergency (the ability to clean and remove soil)
Description: You are more likely to know this ingredient by its common name, baking soda. It’s included to reduce odor-causing bacteria, gently cleanse, and reduce sudsing. (Low-sudsing is especially important for efficiency machines.) Our source is aluminum-free and food-grade quality.
Found in: All Sport, Dish Soap, Sink SCRUB, Super Powder, Original Laundry Powder
Sodium Carbonate (Sourced from the Green River Basin in Wyoming)
Function: Treats hard water, stain removal
Description: Also known as soda ash, or soda crystals, sodium carbonate is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. It treats hard water while acting as a solvent to remove a variety of stains. It also makes a great supporting surfactant. We use Sodium Carbonate in the formulation of our powders. Sodium Carbonate is NOT Super Washing Soda, which has contaminants and synthetic fillers. Most detergent companies use sodium carbonates that are synthetically processed with trona, glass, and manmade chemicals. These Sodium Carbonates are sold for laundry and industrial use, but they are harsh, unclean, and cheap. And that’s not how we do things. We source our Sodium Carbonate from a sustainable trona source located in the Green River Basin in Wyoming. This Sodium Carbonate is so pure, it is safe for use in medicinal and as food ingredients. (But please don’t think that means it’s okay to eat your Laundry Powder!)
Found in: Sink SCRUB, Super Powder, Original Laundry Powder, Oxygen Whitener
Sodium Chloride
Function: Soap Base
Description: Also known as table salt, Sodium Chloride helps to increase the viscosity or consistency of our Dish Soap Bar.
Found in: Dish Soap Bar
Sodium Citrate
Function: Balances pH and softens water
Description: A plant-derived water softener with cleaning properties. Sodium Citrate is an excellent alternative to phosphates since it’s non-toxic, readily biodegradable, and does not promote growth of algae like phosphates.
Found in: All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap Bar
Sodium Cocoate
Function: Soap Base
Description: Sodium cocoate is derived from coconut oil; lauric acid is the primary component of this oil. It's commonly used as a surfactant and emulsifying agent in bar soaps.
Found in: Dish Soap Bar
Sodium Gluconate
Function: Soap Base
Description: Derived from Non-GMO corn, Sodium Gluconate is another ingredient that helps to soften your hands when using our Dish Soap Bar.
Found in: Dish Soap Bar
Sodium Hydroxide
Function: Saponification, making soap
Description: Also known as caustic soda or lye
Found in: Dish Soap
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Function: Surfactant
Description: Sodium Lauroamphoacetate is derived from coconut and allows the water, oil, and dirt to mix, which allows dishes to come clean!
Found in: Dish Soap
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
Function: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam boosting
Description: This ingredient might sound intimidating, but it’s actually exceptionally safe. It is a clean, gentle, sugar-based surfactant. Unlike other acid-based surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, this simple yet effective surfactant is sulfate-free and non-irritating. We use it in our formulas thanks to its excellent performance profile in cleansing. It helps to build a stable, wet layer of bubbles that pull oil, debris, and dirt from your laundry to be easily rinsed away. When it comes to safety ratings, sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate is at the top of the list, especially when compared to ordinary sulfates, ether sulfates, and sulfonates. It’s biodegradable, safe for the environment, and we source ours from renewable plant feedstock sources. It meets demanding regulatory requirements including NPA, NSF, DFE and USDA Biobased. It’s rated #1 on the safety scale of the EWG.
Found in: SWIM™, Delicate Wash
Sodium Percarbonate
Function: Oxidizer, Stain removal
Description: Sodium Percarbonate is a chemical produced by a reaction between sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. This clean, powerful oxidizing agent works wonders on stains when dissolved in hot water!
Found in: Oxygen Whitener
Tall Oil
Function:
Description: Tall Oil is a by-product of wood pulp. This safe ingredient attacks bacteria causing odor that leaves our activewear stinky!
Found in: All Sport Activewear Detergent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Function: Rinse aid, chelating agent
Description: Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a multi-purpose, clear, liquid chelating agent and preservative booster. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is made from plant material, readily biodegradable, with high solubility over a wide pH range. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate serves the same function in formulations as EDTA, without the health and environmental concerns.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, Dish Soap
Xanthan Gum
Function: Thickening, stabilizer
Description: Xanthan gum is made by fermenting sucrose or lactose with the plant-derived bacteria Xanthomonas campestris. It’s made into a solid, then ground into a fine, white powder. We use food-grade xanthan gum (USP) as a gentle thickener and as a stabilizer to prevent ingredients from separating.
Found in: Stain Remover Spray, SWIM™, Delicate Wash, All Sport Activewear Detergent