Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergents: Compare Formulas and Doses

For a fragrance-free liquid with disclosed enzymes, compare Seventh Generation’s standard Free & Clear liquid. For one without listed enzymes, compare ECOS’ standard Free & Clear liquid. Both disclose preservatives, so neither is a preservative-free choice. These are formula distinctions—not a ranking of stain removal or skin tolerance. Seventh Generation disclosure · ECOS disclosure

What differs in the formulas

Both manufacturers describe these liquids as made without dyes or added fragrance. The more useful distinction is what else each formula contains.

Liquid compared	Enzyme disclosure	Preservatives disclosed
Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent – Free & Clear	Protease, amylase, and mannanase blends	Benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone
ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – Free & Clear, standard liquid	No enzymes appear in the published ingredient list	Phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone

Formula sources: Seventh Generation and ECOS.

That gives you two concrete ways to narrow the choice:

• If you specifically want no listed enzymes, compare the standard ECOS liquid. Its shorter ingredient list does not, by itself, establish better cleaning or gentler effects on skin.
• If methylisothiazolinone is on an ingredient-avoidance list you already follow, neither listed formula meets that requirement. Switching between these two liquids would not remove that ingredient from your detergent.

Match the full product name, not just the Free & Clear wording. ECOS lists a separate enzyme-containing Free & Clear detergent among its related products; the no-listed-enzyme comparison above applies to its standard liquid only. ECOS product page

Dosing: washer type versus load size

The two brands organize their directions differently. ECOS distinguishes HE from standard loads, while Seventh Generation specifies amounts by load size and soil level.

Liquid	Published dose	Where to add it
Seventh Generation standard Free & Clear	Medium load: cap line 1, 1.5 fl oz/44 mL. Larger or heavily soiled load: top of line 2, 2.2 fl oz/65 mL.	HE washer: use the dispenser. Standard washer: start the machine, add detergent, then add clothes.
ECOS standard Free & Clear	HE load: 1 ounce. Standard load: 2 ounces.	For HE loads, the directions allow the dispenser or washer drum.

Directions: Seventh Generation · ECOS.

Use the cap and directions on the bottle you buy. Do not transfer a cap fill line from one detergent to another or treat these directions as applying to every Free & Clear formula. Seventh Generation’s page also identifies concentrated and ultra-concentrated liquids separately from the liquid compared here. Seventh Generation product information

A smaller stated dose is not evidence of better cleaning or a lower cost per wash. Package volume and price also matter.

Compare cost at the dose you will use

Use two calculations, keeping the package volume and dose in matching units:

Estimated loads = package volume ÷ labeled dose per load

Estimated detergent cost per load = delivered package price ÷ estimated loads

For ECOS, use the dose for your washer type. For Seventh Generation, calculate using the medium-load dose or the larger/heavily soiled dose that fits the comparison. Do not compare one product’s smallest stated dose with the other’s larger-load dose and call the result an equivalent wash.

If comparing subscriptions, distinguish an introductory offer from the ongoing delivered price. Include any separately purchased pretreatment when comparing the cost of the whole routine. These calculations estimate detergent use; they do not establish equal stain-removal performance.

Fragrance avoidance and sensitive skin

For children with eczema, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends laundry detergent without fragrance or dyes. It distinguishes fragrance-free from unscented: an unscented product may use fragrance masking even when no scent is noticeable. The AAD also recommends asking the child’s dermatologist for product recommendations. AAD eczema-friendly product guidance

That advice supports choosing fragrance-free and dye-free detergent for this situation. It does not establish that either named liquid treats eczema or will suit every child. The enzyme and preservative differences above are useful for matching a specific ingredient requirement, not for declaring one formula universally safer.

Stain pretreatment without changing the comparison

ECOS gives a specific pretreatment method for tough stains: apply a few drops to the mark, work the detergent into it, and wash the garment immediately afterward. Its directions also require following garment-care instructions. ECOS use instructions

Seventh Generation likewise directs users to follow garment-care labels and notes that some stains benefit from pretreatment, but its linked page does not provide the same detailed method. Do not assume ECOS’ instructions apply to another formula. Seventh Generation use instructions

The practical choice: compare Seventh Generation if you want the disclosed enzyme blends, or standard ECOS if you want no listed enzymes. Then compare the dose for your washing setup and any ingredients you specifically need to avoid. For decisions beyond detergent selection, see the complete laundry guide.

Sources

• Seventh Generation: Liquid Laundry Detergent – Free & Clear
• ECOS: Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – Free & Clear
• American Academy of Dermatology: How can I find eczema-friendly products?