If there’s any brand who knows how to turn a mundane chore into a luxurious ritual, it’s The Laundress. Launched in 2004, the New York native brand offered a line of laundry detergents—think fabric conditioners and cashmere shampoo—in elevated scents including musks and even Le Labo Santal 33 (they had even collaborated with John Mayer on his own fragrance). In the wake of their success, the brand’s portfolio expanded to include household cleaning supplies like surface cleaners and dish soap.
What Happened to The Laundress?
In November of 2022, the brand’s clout came to a screeching halt as they posted a vague safety recall on their Instagram. “This safety notice is to inform you to immediately stop using all The Laundress products in your possession,” it stated. “We have identified the potential presence of elevated levels of bacteria in some of our products that present a safety concern.”
The brand ceased all sales of their products and fans everywhere demanded answers. Seven months of company reorganizations, customer reimbursements, lawsuits, investigations and speculation later, The Laundress is back.
What’s Changed
The Laundress has taken steps to address the safety concerns that led to the recall. According to the brand, the company has modified its formulas to include only what’s necessary for fabric care performance and safety. The new formulas are also concentrated, meaning less product is required per load of laundry.
In addition to reformulating its products, The Laundress has also changed its manufacturing partner and implemented new safety procedures. The company is now working with a new manufacturer that follows Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. GMP standards are designed to ensure that products are manufactured in a safe and consistent manner.
The Laundress is also conducting rigorous inspection and testing of its products. Each batch of product is tested for bacteria and other contaminants. The company is also working with a third-party auditor to verify its safety procedures.
“Our team worked around the clock to make this relaunch a reality,” says Clemens Herrmann, CEO of The Laundress. “Over the past six months, we partnered with global experts in R&D, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Product Marketing, and more to make comprehensive changes to our supply chain and manufacturing process that address all issues and improve our safety standards—this includes new testing procedures that exceed US industry standards, giving us extraordinary confidence in the safety of our new products. We want to take every possible step to ensure something like this does not happen again.”
The Laundress is confident that its new formulas and safety procedures meet the highest standards. The company is committed to providing its customers with safe and effective laundry care products.
The Products
Launching with its best-selling scents, Classic, Cedar, and Lady, Herrmann says The Laundress was “very intentional” about which products would be included as part of the brand’s initial relaunch, “reformulating a core collection that embodies the fabric care expertise that makes The Laundress truly unique. Focusing on a small assortment of our best-selling products allowed us to incorporate customer feedback and meticulously ensure product quality every step of the way on an accelerated timeline,” says Herrmann.
The Laundress is relaunching with its New Everyday Laundry Core Collection, which includes: Signature Detergent ($26, 32 oz), a newly upsized Fabric Conditioner ($26, 32 oz), Stain Solution ($20, 16 oz), and a two-times-more concentrated Wool & Cashmere Shampoo ($30, 16 oz), and a more concentrated Delicate Wash ($30, 16 oz) launching in August.
The brand’s Accessories Collection includes a Stain Brush ($12), Measuring Cup ($12), Mesh Washing Bags ($22) and Dryer Balls ($32).
The Laundress products are available for purchase on the company’s website and at select retailers.
