Ingredients · 1 min read
Lauryl Glucoside vs Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Same Name, Different Cleaner
You skip sulfates. You flip over our box. You see "lauryl." Cue the double take.
Quick answer: lauryl glucoside is not a sulfate. It's a sugar-based, nonionic cleaner. It only shares the "lauryl" part of its name with sodium lauryl sulfate.
Why the names sound alike
Lauryl means a 12-carbon fatty chain, often from coconut or palm kernel oil. Lots of ingredients are built on it, so lots of names have it.
The second half of the name is what counts.
- Lauryl glucoside: the chain joined to glucose, a sugar.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: the chain joined to a sulfate group.
- Sodium laureth sulfate: the chain, an ethoxylated section, then a sulfate.
Same first name, totally different families.
How each one cleans
All three lift oil and dirt. The difference is charge and character.
- Lauryl glucoside: no charge, moderate lather, generally regarded as mild.†
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: negative charge, strong cleaner, big foamer. It's been in detergents, shampoos and toothpaste for decades.
Side by side
| Point | Lauryl glucoside | SLS |
|---|---|---|
| A sulfate? | No | Yes |
| Charge | None | Negative |
| Foam | Moderate | High |
| In Just 7? | Yes | No |
Is one better?
SLS is a proven, effective cleaner, and plenty of good detergents use it, including some of the best-known laundry sheets. We don't call it harmful.
We chose glucosides because they fit our goal: a short, vegan list for people who'd rather skip sulfates. Lauryl glucoside teams up with decyl glucoside to give Just 7 more cleaning power than our gentle sheet.
Spot a sulfate in four steps
- Check the end of the name. Sulfate or sulphate means sulfate.
- Watch for laureth and pareth. Those are ethoxylated, a different group.
- Glucoside means sugar-based. Decyl, lauryl, coco and caprylyl/capryl are all family.
- Read the back. A "sulfate-free" front should match the full list.
FAQ
Is lauryl glucoside a sulfate? No. It's a sugar-based, nonionic cleaner that only shares the lauryl chain with SLS.
Is Just 7 sulfate-free? Yes. Our only cleaners are decyl and lauryl glucoside.
Why do sulfate-free detergents foam less? Sulfates are heavy foamers. Foam isn't what cleans, and low foam suits HE washers.
Is lauryl glucoside vegan? When they're vegan, yes.†
Seven ingredients. Zero compromise.
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Keep reading
What's in Laundry Detergent Sheets? A Plain-English Ingredient Guide
Pillar page: every common ingredient by job, and which ones we skip
Decyl Glucoside in Laundry Detergent: What It Is and Why We Use It
The sugar-based cleaner explained
Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda) in Laundry: What It Does
A century-old cleaner, still earning its place