Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
45 Poor

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Molly's Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Powder Fragrance Free Molly's Suds, LLC 95 View on Amazon · $24.99 See all Laundry, ranked

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 8
Owned by Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Category Laundry
Summary

This detergent contains several concerning ingredients, including sodium laureth sulfate and ethoxylated alcohols, which pose contamination risks due to potential 1,4-dioxane presence. The inclusion of synthetic fragrances and colorants adds to the chemical load without contributing to cleaning efficacy. While it does contain beneficial plant-based enzymes, the presence of preservatives like benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, known for causing skin sensitization, further impacts its safety profile.

Key ingredients 18

Methylisothiazolinone
Very Bad

Methylisothiazolinone is a preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cleaning products. It is a leading cause of contact allergies and skin sensitization. Its use is highly controversial due to significant health risks.

Risks

It is a potent skin sensitizer and can cause severe allergic reactions.

Benefits

It helps preserve the product by preventing microbial growth.

See more about Methylisothiazolinone →
C10-16 alketh (C12-15 / C10-16 / C12-16 alcohols ethoxylated)
Bad

Ethoxylated alcohols are used as surfactants to help remove dirt and oils. However, they may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen, due to the ethoxylation process. This contamination risk makes them less desirable in cleaning products.

Risks

Potential contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, is a concern.

Benefits

They are effective surfactants that help in cleaning by breaking down oils and dirt.

See more about C10-16 alketh (C12-15 / C10-16 / C12-16 alcohols ethoxylated) →
Sodium laureth sulfate
Bad

Sodium laureth sulfate is a surfactant used for its foaming properties. It is milder than sodium lauryl sulfate but still poses a risk of skin irritation. Additionally, it may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.

Risks

It can cause skin irritation and may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.

Benefits

It is effective in removing oils and dirt due to its surfactant properties.

See more about Sodium laureth sulfate →
Fragrances
Bad

Fragrances are added to cleaning products to provide a pleasant scent. However, they can be composed of numerous chemicals, some of which may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation. The lack of transparency in fragrance ingredients is a concern for consumers.

Risks

Fragrances can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Benefits

They provide a pleasant scent to the product, enhancing user experience.

See more about Fragrances →
C12-13 alcohols ethoxylated
Bad

Ethoxylated alcohols are used as surfactants to enhance cleaning performance. They may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen, due to the ethoxylation process. This contamination risk makes them less desirable in cleaning products.

Risks

Potential contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, is a concern.

Benefits

They are effective surfactants that help in cleaning by breaking down oils and dirt.

See more about C12-13 alcohols ethoxylated →
Disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate
Bad

Disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate is an optical brightener used to enhance the appearance of fabrics. It does not contribute to cleaning and can persist in the environment. Its use is primarily cosmetic, with no functional cleaning benefits.

Risks

It can persist in the environment and may cause skin irritation.

Benefits

It enhances the appearance of fabrics by making them appear brighter.

See more about Disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate →
Benzisothiazolinone
Bad

Benzisothiazolinone is a preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cleaning products. It is a known skin sensitizer and can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Its use is controversial due to potential health risks.

Risks

It can cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions.

Benefits

It helps preserve the product by preventing microbial growth.

See more about Benzisothiazolinone →
Polyoxyalkylene substituted chromophore (blue) or modified anthraquinone (colorant)
Bad

Synthetic colorants are used to provide a visually appealing color to cleaning products. They do not contribute to cleaning performance and are purely cosmetic. Their environmental persistence and potential for skin irritation are concerns.

Risks

They can cause skin irritation and persist in the environment.

Benefits

They provide a visually appealing color to the product.

See more about Polyoxyalkylene substituted chromophore (blue) or modified anthraquinone (colorant) →
Water
Neutral

Water is a common solvent used in many cleaning products. It helps dissolve other ingredients and facilitates the cleaning process. It is generally considered safe and non-toxic.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with water in cleaning products.

Benefits

Water is essential for dissolving and distributing cleaning agents effectively.

See more about Water →
Sodium chloride
Neutral

Sodium chloride, or table salt, is used to adjust the viscosity of cleaning products. It is generally considered safe and non-toxic in the amounts used in detergents. It does not pose significant health risks in this context.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with sodium chloride in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps to adjust the thickness of the product, making it easier to use.

See more about Sodium chloride →
Sodium bicarbonate
Neutral

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is used for its deodorizing and mild abrasive properties. It is generally considered safe and non-toxic. It is a common ingredient in both food and cleaning products.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with sodium bicarbonate in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps neutralize odors and can act as a mild abrasive for cleaning.

See more about Sodium bicarbonate →
Sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate
Neutral

Sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate is a surfactant used for its cleaning properties. It is effective in breaking down oils and dirt. It is a common ingredient in many cleaning products.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate in cleaning products.

Benefits

It is an effective surfactant that aids in the removal of dirt and oils.

See more about Sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate →
Acrylic acid homopolymer
Neutral

Acrylic acid homopolymer is used as a thickening agent in cleaning products. It helps maintain the desired consistency of the product. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning formulations.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with acrylic acid homopolymer in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps maintain the product's consistency, making it easier to apply.

See more about Acrylic acid homopolymer →
Calcium chloride
Neutral

Calcium chloride is used as a stabilizer and to control the viscosity of cleaning products. It is generally considered safe and non-toxic. It is a common ingredient in various industrial and consumer products.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with calcium chloride in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps stabilize the product and maintain its desired consistency.

See more about Calcium chloride →
Pentasodium DTPA
Neutral

Pentasodium DTPA is a chelating agent used to bind metal ions in cleaning products. It helps improve the stability and effectiveness of the formulation. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning products.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with pentasodium DTPA in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps stabilize the product and improve its cleaning performance by binding metal ions.

See more about Pentasodium DTPA →
Tromethamine
Neutral

Tromethamine is used as a pH adjuster in cleaning products. It helps maintain the desired acidity or alkalinity of the formulation. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning products.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with tromethamine in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps maintain the product's pH, ensuring optimal performance.

See more about Tromethamine →
Amylase enzyme
Good

Amylase enzyme is a plant-based enzyme used to break down starches in stains. It is biodegradable and considered environmentally friendly. It enhances the cleaning power of detergents by targeting specific types of stains.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with amylase enzyme in cleaning products.

Benefits

It effectively breaks down starch-based stains, improving cleaning performance.

See more about Amylase enzyme →
Protease enzyme
Good

Protease enzyme is a plant-based enzyme used to break down protein-based stains. It is biodegradable and considered environmentally friendly. It enhances the cleaning power of detergents by targeting specific types of stains.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with protease enzyme in cleaning products.

Benefits

It effectively breaks down protein-based stains, improving cleaning performance.

See more about Protease enzyme →

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Amazon pricing & content

Amazon price for Molly's Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Powder Fragrance Free as of . Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent

Common questions

Is Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent healthy?

Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent scores 45/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a below-average score in Scout's analysis. This detergent contains several concerning ingredients, including sodium laureth sulfate and ethoxylated alcohols, which pose contamination risks due to potential 1,4-dioxane presence.

How does Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent compare to other laundry products?

Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent ranks #12 of 16 laundry products in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is Eco-Max Natural Laundry Detergent Lavender at 95/100.

Which ingredients drive Arm & Hammer OxiClean Stain Fighters Detergent's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Amylase enzyme, Protease enzyme count in its favor; C10-16 alketh (C12-15 / C10-16 / C12-16 alcohols ethoxylated), Sodium laureth sulfate, Fragrances are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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