Hub’s Guest Review: Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid Detergent
I admit that when my wife came to me and suggested that I switch laundry detergents from our typical “toxic to everything but clothes and maybe still even then” brand to Seventh Generation that I was skeptical.
Yes, it is slightly more expensive and yes, if I was a Mexican wrestler my wrestling name would be El Cheapo. (P.S.: I’m half Mexican and LOVE Mexican wrestling.)
But I have to say that I continue to be amazed at how the scented and unscented Seventh Generation [vegetable-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable] detergent not only cleans laundry but keeps whites stunningly white. Where I used to resort to soaking clothes in toxic bleach—Seventh Generation makes a green version of that too—just to keep shirts from dinginess, the Seventh Generation detergent takes one look and says, “Yo, I got that.”
Since I am the dedicated launderer of clothes in the household, the comparison between regular detergent and Seventh Generation was easy to see. Living in muggy, humid New Jersey and working muggier, humidier New York City means a lot of dingy clothes that need extra care to scrub clean.
Since we have to rely on the local front-loading machines at the Laundromat, soaking whites in bleach is not always an option. (You’re actually supposed to stay there, hover until a light does or does not turn on, then add your bleach in a split second. Oh, and you can’t soak.)
The point of all this is the fact that after using Seventh Generation for about six months, I have just now actually read the label closely enough to realize their mission—based on a Native American tribe’s belief—is to protect the Earth for the seventh generation of your own family. Which I guess is a pretty good way to think about things.
Also, you can mix the whites and color clothes in together, wash on cold and dry on normal, and nothing runs at all. Which is more than I can say for other detergents, hands down.





amanda said,
July 15, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Here, here! We love Seventh Gen laundry detergent too. It even works it’s magic on our cloth diapers, which is saying a lot.
green la girl said,
July 17, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I love the hub! More accurately, I love the illustration of the hub — Jasmin, you’re awesome.
Leslie said,
July 17, 2006 at 3:10 pm
You convinced me to give it a try! I went to the Seventh Generation website, and they even have printable coupons for $1.00 off!
Eilonwy said,
July 18, 2006 at 9:30 am
I love 7th Generation– but I had no idea that you could wash whites/colors and it wouldn’t run. That’s exciting news atop the other obvious wonders of the detergent. :)
The Worsted Witch » Martha Stewart Living Jan 2007 said,
December 21, 2006 at 5:03 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. Chemical Pollution Harms Kids’ Brains 2. Hub’s Guest Review: Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid Detergent 3. Eco-Me Home 4. Vinegar: Disinfectant of Champions 5. Test Kitchen Witch 6. Eulogy for Swiffer 7. Maybe Baby: Chemicals & Kids [...]
The Worsted Witch » Mail Call: Finding Eco Products said,
February 5, 2007 at 10:41 am
[...] Related articles: 1. Martha Stewart Living Jan 2007 2. Totally Bamboo 3. Vinegar: Disinfectant of Champions 4. Test Kitchen Witch 5. Eco-Me Home 6. Hub’s Guest Review: Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid Detergent 7. Maybe Baby: Chemicals & Kids 8. Implements of Green 9. Eulogy for Swiffer [...]