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Quick answer: There is no single EWG grade for Arm & Hammer laundry detergent. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades each formula separately, and the confirmed examples run from Grade A (Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner & Laundry Booster) to Grade F (Clean Fresh Cold Water). Check the exact product you own, and see the EWG VERIFIED® alternatives below.
Arm & Hammer is one of the most widely purchased laundry detergent brands in the U.S., and EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning lists numerous Arm & Hammer laundry products. The grades vary sharply by exact formula: confirmed examples in EWG's database range from Grade A (Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner & Laundry Booster) to Grade F (Clean Fresh Cold Water). We looked specifically for two detergents Arm & Hammer currently markets, "Clean & Simple: Crisp Clean" and "Naturally Fresh," and could not locate either one as a distinct product on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning across 6 independent searches, so this article does not state a grade for either. The previously-listed Clean Burst Liquid and Powder variants are also no longer in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning database. Below you'll find the confirmed grades EWG does publish for Arm & Hammer detergents, which ingredient categories EWG flags across the line, and which alternatives earn EWG VERIFIED® status or Grade A.
EWG grades are published by the Environmental Working Group at ewg.org/cleaners. Verify current grades before purchasing, as ratings can change when formulations change.
What EWG Says About Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent
We looked for "Clean & Simple: Crisp Clean" and "Naturally Fresh," two detergents Arm & Hammer currently markets, in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning database. Across 6 independent searches (including exact-phrase and site-restricted queries), neither name resolved to a distinct EWG product page — only the Arm & Hammer brand page and other, differently-named Arm & Hammer SKUs surfaced. We do not state a grade for either product below, consistent with our policy against guessing a score. What EWG's database does confirm is that Arm & Hammer's laundry line spans the full grading scale depending on the exact formula:
| EWG Guide Grade | Product | EWG-Flagged Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| A | Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner & Laundry Booster | EWG's top Guide tier; low concern across ingredient hazard categories per EWG's data |
| F | Arm & Hammer Clean Fresh Cold Water | EWG's lowest Guide tier for this formula; verify current concerns at ewg.org/cleaners/products/10897 |
| Note: "Clean & Simple: Crisp Clean" and "Naturally Fresh" — two detergents Arm & Hammer currently markets — did not resolve to a locatable EWG product page or confirmable grade across 6 independent searches. We do not assert a grade for either. Arm & Hammer Clean Burst Liquid (formerly product 149) and Clean Burst Powder (formerly product 165) are also no longer listed in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning; historical Grade D ratings for these products should not be relied upon. | ||
Source: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners). Super Washing Soda: ewg.org/cleaners/products/5346-ArmHammer/, corroborated across 2 independent queries. Clean Fresh Cold Water: ewg.org/cleaners/products/10897-ArmHammerCleanFreshColdWater/, corroborated across 2 independent queries. NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG. Verify current grades at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing, as ratings can change when formulations change and EWG lists many additional Arm & Hammer SKUs not covered here.
What EWG's Grades Reflect
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning scores products A through F based on two factors: ingredient transparency (whether the full formula is disclosed) and ingredient hazard profiles (what EWG's database says about the disclosed ingredients). A sits at the top of that scale and F at the bottom; EWG VERIFIED® is a separate, stricter mark above Grade A. Neither a Guide grade nor the VERIFIED® mark is a government safety designation or a clinical finding — each reflects EWG's own assessment of ingredient transparency and hazard profiles per EWG's methodology.
Common ingredient categories EWG flags across laundry products include:
- Undisclosed fragrance: The ingredient label "fragrance" or "parfum" covers an undisclosed mixture that can include dozens of chemicals, including potential allergens, sensitizers, and phthalates. EWG cannot evaluate what it cannot see, so undisclosed fragrance is a consistent driver of lower grades across laundry and cleaning products.
- Optical brighteners: UV-reactive chemicals that make fabrics appear whiter under light. EWG documents concerns about optical brighteners for poor aquatic biodegradability and potential skin sensitization, particularly with repeated contact. They are not rinsed out cleanly; they remain on fabric and contact skin with each wear.
Because the two specific Arm & Hammer detergents named in this section's search couldn't be located on EWG's Guide, we can't cite EWG's specific ingredient concerns for them. For any Arm & Hammer product you own, search its exact name at ewg.org/cleaners for the current grade and ingredient review. NonToxicFinder does not independently assess ingredient safety. For personal health guidance, consult a qualified medical professional.
EWG VERIFIED® and Grade A Alternatives to Arm & Hammer
The products below carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark or EWG Guide Grade A, the two highest tiers in EWG's system. EWG VERIFIED® is the stricter designation: products must score Grade A or B in the Guide, pass additional EWG ingredient screening, and disclose all ingredients on their labels. Grade A in the Guide is EWG's top Guide score and reflects full ingredient transparency and low-hazard ingredient profiles per EWG's methodology.
For more options in this category, see our full guide to EWG-rated laundry detergents and our roundup of non-toxic laundry pods rated by EWG. See our Is Purex Laundry Detergent Safe? What the Label Says and Better-Rated Alternatives.
ATTITUDE Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented, 40 Loads (ASIN: B093TNNR5F, $19.95), EWG VERIFIED®
The most direct Arm & Hammer replacement for families switching to EWG VERIFIED® laundry detergent. Fragrance-free, plant-based, HE compatible, and vegan. 40 loads per bottle at $19.95 ($0.50/load). The unscented formula is the right starting point for families moving away from a heavily scented detergent like Clean Burst. ATTITUDE's laundry line carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark; confirm current status for this SKU at ewg.org/ewgverified.
ATTITUDE Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented, 40 Loads (Buy on Amazon ↗)
Molly's Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder, Unscented, 120 Loads (ASIN: B06WCZRHQR, $22.99), EWG Guide Grade A
The best per-load value in this lineup at $0.19/load, roughly a third of what most liquid detergents cost per wash. Molly's Suds Original Powder earns a Grade A on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, documented at ewg.org/cleaners/products/5835. It is not EWG VERIFIED®, but Grade A is EWG's top Guide score. Powder format: uses a measuring scoop rather than a liquid pour. Fragrance-free and unscented. 120 loads per container at $22.99 ($21.84 with Subscribe & Save). For families doing a lot of laundry, the per-load math on this format is compelling.
Molly's Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder, Unscented, 120 Loads (Buy on Amazon ↗)
ATTITUDE Liquid Laundry Detergent, Mountain Fresh, 40 Loads (ASIN: B093TMXZ4G, $25.04), EWG VERIFIED®
For families who want to stay with a scented detergent. ATTITUDE's Mountain Fresh formula carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark, which means the fragrance is fully disclosed and meets EWG's ingredient requirements, a fundamental difference from the undisclosed fragrance system in Arm & Hammer Clean Burst. Same 40-load count; $25.04 standard or $23.79 with Subscribe & Save. HE compatible, plant-based, vegan. The Amazon listing explicitly states "EWG Verified" in the product title; confirm current status at ewg.org/ewgverified.
ATTITUDE Liquid Laundry Detergent, Mountain Fresh, 40 Loads (Buy on Amazon ↗)
Molly's Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent, Lavender, 100 Loads (ASIN: B0B2G7WPC4, $22.98), EWG Guide Grade B
The liquid option from Molly's Suds for readers who prefer a pourable detergent. Grade B on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning: lower than the powder's Grade A, but above Grade C through F on EWG's scale. The Lavender scent uses a fragrance that is rated in EWG's database. At $22.98 for 100 loads ($0.23/load), it's priced close to Arm & Hammer. EWG registry for this product: ewg.org/cleaners/products/11628.
Molly's Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent, Lavender, 100 Loads (Buy on Amazon ↗)
AspenClean Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented, 2 Pack (ASIN: B0CHK7N9J8, $66.99), EWG VERIFIED® Premium Pick
AspenClean is among the first laundry detergents to receive the EWG VERIFIED® mark and consistently earns top grades in EWG's Guide. The 2-pack (approximately $33.50 per bottle) is a premium investment compared to the other options here, but for households doing heavy laundry volume and wanting to buy in bulk at EWG VERIFIED® quality, it is the strongest option. Fragrance-free, unscented, HE compatible. EWG registry: ewg.org/cleaners/products/6707. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified.
AspenClean Liquid Laundry Detergent, Unscented, 2 Pack (Buy on Amazon ↗)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Arm & Hammer laundry detergent safe for babies?
We could not independently confirm an EWG grade for the two detergents Arm & Hammer currently markets as "Clean & Simple: Crisp Clean" and "Naturally Fresh" — neither resolved to a locatable EWG product page across 6 independent searches. What is confirmed is that Arm & Hammer's EWG-listed detergents range from Grade A (Super Washing Soda) to Grade F (Clean Fresh Cold Water) depending on the exact formula, so there's no single "Arm & Hammer" answer. EWG grades are not government safety findings, and NonToxicFinder makes no independent health claim. For families following EWG's guidance for baby laundry, EWG VERIFIED® options such as ATTITUDE Free and Clear (fragrance-free, $19.95 for 40 loads) or Molly's Suds Original Powder (Grade A, $22.99 for 120 loads) are the alternatives that meet EWG's highest standards.
Q: Does the Arm & Hammer Free and Clear variant have an EWG grade?
We did not independently confirm the EWG grade for Arm & Hammer Free and Clear. Check ewg.org/cleaners and search for your specific Arm & Hammer product. "Free and Clear" labeling does not guarantee a better EWG grade; a fragrance-free name does not always translate to a higher EWG score. Verify the grade for the specific product you use.
Q: What is the difference between EWG VERIFIED® and EWG Guide Grade A?
These are two distinct designations. EWG Guide grades (A through F) score cleaning products by ingredient transparency and hazard profiles; Grade A is the top Guide score. EWG VERIFIED® is a separate, stricter mark: products must score A or B in the Guide, pass additional EWG ingredient screening, and disclose all ingredients on the label. ATTITUDE and AspenClean carry EWG VERIFIED®. Molly's Suds Original Powder holds Guide Grade A. Both represent the highest tiers in EWG's ratings system.
Q: What EWG grade does Arm & Hammer laundry detergent have?
There isn't one answer, because EWG grades each formula separately and Arm & Hammer's detergents span its full A-through-F scale. Confirmed examples: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner & Laundry Booster grades A (ewg.org/cleaners/products/5346), while Arm & Hammer Clean Fresh Cold Water grades F (ewg.org/cleaners/products/10897). We could not confirm a grade for "Clean & Simple: Crisp Clean" or "Naturally Fresh," two detergents Arm & Hammer currently markets, after 6 independent searches — neither resolved to a locatable EWG product page. The Clean Burst Liquid and Powder Detergents previously listed by EWG (products 149 and 165) are also no longer in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning database. Search your exact product name at ewg.org/cleaners, as product listings and formulations can change.
EWG Disclaimer: All product ratings, grades, and the EWG VERIFIED® mark are the independent work of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with EWG. EWG ratings reflect EWG's assessment methodology and are not government safety findings or health guarantees. Verify current ratings at ewg.org before purchasing.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) may earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.
