Mommy Greenest Approved: Meliora K Natural Laundry
There’s a great scene in the new biopic of Stephen Hawking in which he woos his soon-to-be wife with an analysis of why the men’s white shirts luminesce in the ultraviolet lights of a cocktail party. “Optical whiteners,” he says—and she swoons. I didn’t know that that meant, so I did a little research. Optical whiteners are synthetic chemicals that make laundry look brighter; they absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as blue light. (It’s basically the same reason why white-haired ladies use blue shampoo.) So since optical brighteners have nothing to do with getting your laundry actually clean, I wondered if there was a downside to these chemicals—and if you could find a laundry detergent that didn’t include them. Yes and yes, in the form of the all-natural, totally excellent Meliora K natural laundry product. Optical whiteners may cause developmental and reproductive problems, and they don’t make clothes cleaner. So why are you still using them? Try this natural laundry solution at 15% off or win it, free! According to the EPA-supported Design for the Environment program, optical brighteners may cause developmental and reproductive problems, as well as skin sensitivity when clothes coated with optical brighteners are exposed to light. They also pose environmental concerns, because they don’t biodegrade.
But can you get clothes clean, bright and white without optical whiteners? Absolutely, as I just discovered by using the Right Hand Laundry Powder from Meliora K. This is a potent combination of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and coconut-oil based soap. That’s it! And yet this vegan, organic, biodegradable powder really works! With no fragrance, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfates, 1,4-dioxane, dyes or—of course—optical brighteners in the mix, it’s especially beneficial for those who suffer from skin irritations and allergies.
Meliora K is so confident in their formulas, they provide the recipe right on their site! They encourage you to DIY your own laundry recipes by using their Really Grate Soap Flakes or, if you prefer to grate your own, their No Frills Soap Bar. And they include natural laundry tips on packaging, such as replacing fabric softener with white vinegar and pre-treating stains with a wet toothbrush and powder.
It’s this kind of empowerment-based marketing philosophy that won the Illinois-based Meliora K first place in the 2013 Quinlan Social Enterprise Competition. They’re putting human health—and innovation—over the traditional profit model, and earning a loyal following in the process.
Count me in.
Now through 12.31.14 get 15% off on all Meliora K products with “MOMMYAPPROVED15” at check out, or enter to win one of FOUR $30 gift baskets full of their signature products!
This post was sponsored by Meliora K and meets the standards I’ve established to endorse a brand as “Mommy Greenest Approved.” Click here for more about Editorial Standards.


71 Comments
Annette Prejean
I don’t have a favorite, but mostly use Seventh Generation.
yesenia marie
I usually try any thing that is fragrance free and sensitive since my boys have really sensitive skin. Would love to try this product.
Carrie obrien
Another brand new to me I’d love to try!
Tina Riley
I love their soap!
Jeannette P
dryer balls!
Meagan
I use and love Eco Nuts’ soap nuts. They last forever and leave no scent behind.
lynn cook
homemade laundry soap and wool dryer balls no sheets
Rachel Sarnoff
Love those dryer balls!
Jessica
Charlie’s Laundry Soap Powder!
Rachel Sarnoff
Ooh have to try that one!
bmommyx2
I have yet to find that magical detergent that has non toxic ingredients, nothing I’m allergic to, is good for the environment & works great. Part of the problem is my super hard water & maybe my old machine too. When I was cloth diapering I used Rockin Green’s Rock hard & the hard water booster, I liked Molly’s suds & some various ones I’ve gotten at my local natural foods stores. I place an order & am going to give this one a try. I really like that they have a refill for their container. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t have fee shipping over a specific dollar amount. I have my fingers crossed.
Rachel Sarnoff
Great! Let me know how it works for you. Thanks for sharing!
Leah Allen
Seventh Generation
Becca Z
my fave natural laundry product is boric acid
Melissa Palmer
my favorite laundry products are Peppermint EO in the wash cycle and Lavender EO in the dry cycle.
Rachel Sarnoff
I love EO products! Great soaps, too!
Ellen DeFrancesco
I make my own but haven’t found the “right” mix yet. Don’t feel my clothes are getting clean. Hoping to try this instead!!!!
Nicky
have only tried rockin’ green, which is good. meliora k looks great too!
jennifer
Right now I am using Honest soaps
Rachel Sarnoff
Love Honest!
Itzel G.
Honest Company Laundry Detergent
Rachel Sarnoff
Love their products!
Brittney Minor
Dryer balls are a must have!!!
Clifford Bonesteel
Sorry got in a rush, I don’t have a favorite natural soap, but if this works as I stated before this will be it.
Clifford Bonesteel
If I win this I surely hopes it works well in hard water and it will help get sweat stains out better than what I have been using.
Lisa
I haven’t tried .Hope will work for hard water.
lisa
gotta love the Right Hand Laundry Powder – 20 Loads
Rachel Sarnoff
I know, right? So cost effective!
Dee
I don’t have a favorite brand really, I get whichever brand is on sale at the health food store usually.
wendy
I love my natural wool dryer balls!
Rachel Sarnoff
Me, too! Loo Hoo? Love them!
valerie parker thurman
great laundry products and great for my grandson who has exzema.
Rachel Sarnoff
Yes, definitely! Especially for skin problems, stay away from perfumes!
Laura
I like the packaging!
Rachel Sarnoff
So cute, right?
emily fu
My favourite laundry product is a classic one- just plain ol dr. bronner’s soap
Rachel Sarnoff
Really? I find that it leaves kind of a film. Which one do you use?
emily fu
this is awesome! i would love to try this out
Dorothea
I like the 7th Generation products a lot.
Rachel Sarnoff
Me too! Great brand, and I love that they’re sold so many places.
Marlene V. (Enelram)
I don’t have a favourite yet….
Nicola
Unfortunately, I’m still stuck using the cheap, unnatural, commercial detergents, but would love a chance to truly “come clean” with a basket of Meliora K products.
Rachel Sarnoff
Good luck! And if you don’t win, their products are SO affordable, too 🙂
Jessica
Very faithful to Charlie’s Soap Powder!
Rachel Sarnoff
Have yet to try that one, will check it out!
Micaela @MindfulMomma
Great brand – love their new packaging!
Nicole DeStephano
I use soap berries. But I am looking for a natural product that will brighten and remove stains from my whites.
mel
Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover–great for pet odors.
Rachel Sarnoff
Good to know, thanks Mel!
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement
I quite enjoy Meyers laundry detergent! Thank you for this great giveaway 🙂
Rachel Sarnoff
Thanks for sharing Kayla!
lindsey
would love to try this out!
deanna
I would love to try!
lori byrd
I haven’t tried any yet but would like to try the Biokleen All-Temperature Citrus Laundry Liquid. Seems like it would be my favorite.
Rachel Sarnoff
I’ve never tried that! I know you can add essential oils to your own formulations with Meliora K, though!
Jennifer S.
I haven’t managed to tackle this area yet but it makes sense to do so. Would love to try the Meloria K — hint, hint! 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity!
Rachel Sarnoff
Good luck!
Debra Gaswint
I love Method Lavender and Cedar Laundry Detergent. I love the smell!
Connie Williamson
I’ve never tried an all natural laundry detergent, but I’d like to. 🙂
Dinah
This is so good to know! Love it that Rachel picked up on a line out of a movie and wanted to know more about it…I do that all the time.
Rachel Sarnoff
It just struck me–and I never even saw the movie, just the trailer! 🙂
B
Baking soda
Rachel Sarnoff
Do you use it as detergent, or for stains?
daphne
I use Thieves Young Living essential oil in my laundry now
Rachel Sarnoff
I’ve heard of that! Does it smell amazing?
sandra
I haven’t tried any yet but I like simple green, seventh generation, and method brands so I would probably try one of theirs
Rachel Sarnoff
Thanks for sharing! I would avoid Simple Green, however 🙁
Judi R
I have tried Meloria K and love it!
Rachel Sarnoff
Yay, me too!! Thanks for commenting Judi 🙂
jan
the only one I’ve tried to date is Biokleen All-Temperature Citrus Laundry Liquid
Rachel Sarnoff
I’ve never tried that–will have to take a look. Thanks Jan!