We are two friends living on opposite coasts (Brooklyn, New York and Santa Monica, California) that share a passion for living a minimal, zero waste lifestyle and on a mission to help others do the same.
Harper. Lives in Brooklyn with a +1. Sassy pup. Matcha. Wine. Whiskey. Cheese. Proscuitto.
Charley. Lives in Los Angeles with a +1. Doofy pup. Coffee. Wine. Whiskey. Cheese. Pasta.
All tagged Laundry Detergent
Probably not a buy. We find that TANIT Revolubar Laundry Tablet ingredients might be risky in the production process, per EWG, as well as potential harm to marine life. We love that there is no PVA/PVOH. We also love that the packaging is thoughtfully crafted in compostable paper. Prices for TANIT are on the higher side, but more like in the median for other tablets and pods. Lastly, we love that the tablets are unscented.
LastObject detergent sheets are maybe a buy! We appreciate the very minimal packaging (comes in a slim, cardboard box) and that it is generally less heavy when compared to laundry pods, and much less wasteful compared with traditional liquid detergents that come in plastic jugs. Pricing is in range with other options out there. Our only callouts are that, like laundry pods and other laundry strips/sheets, this product does include PVA (see note below).
NOT a buy. We absolutely loved finding ROSERAY Laundry Detergent Tablets as a mess-free option that did not use PVA/PVOH. We also loved that it is mostly recyclable paper packaging for the products. Our clothes came out clean and relatively scent-free (which we love). Unfortunately, the price is so high that can’t recommend this as a viable option.
Dropps are a MAYBE BUY from a cost and convenience standpoint, but we do want to note that this product does include a polymer called Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA). Additionally, while still a cost effective option, there are now other options that are at a similar or lower price point, especially since they seem to no longer offer their super bulk option (or 1,000+ pods) for significantly lower pricing.
While we have been strong Dropps laundry pod fans since we reviewed it in February, Meliora’s Laundry Powder might be giving them a run for their money! We purchased the lavender scented laundry powder from Meliora and a fan of its simple, biodegradable ingredients, low waste packaging and incredibly affordable price.
HeySunday Detergent Sheets are a buy! We especially appreciate the very minimal packaging (comes in a slim, uncoated cardboard envelope) and that it is generally less heavy when compared to laundry pods. Our only callouts are that, like laundry pods and other laundry strips/sheets, this product does include PVA…
OK Buy. Dropps Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent work well in cleaning and freshening up our laundry. The Clean & Crisp scent is very light and the laundry felt clean when taking it out of the wash. The product is 100% plastic-free and the glass bottle is quite sturdy. The only hang-up is the enzymes that may cause problems for factory workers but the unscented option does not contain enzymes. Overall, we thought Dropps Concentrated Laundry that replaced the small loads is a decent product that avoids the PVA.
BUY. Dropps OxiBoost Laundry Pods are a convenient, zero-waste option for laundry detergent. The product comes in a recyclable cardboard box and other than PVA, the ingredients are relatively clean. Price-wise, you pay for the convenience of pods compared to powder, but Dropps are some of the cheapest pre-measured options around. Clothes smell just plain old clean since these pods are free from fragrance.
It’s not really a buy from us. Kind Laundry detergent sheets are available in a scented and unscented options, and zero waste packaging, which we love. Sheets are lighter to ship, which means less carbon footprint overall. Unfortunately, they contain a sulfate which can be harmful to aquatic life and also isn’t one of the cheaper options. For convenience, and in a pinch, however, Kind Sheets are also available on Amazon.
Maybe buy. We liked the ingredients and ease of use of Dropps Active Wash. Our only beef with the active line is how pricey it is compared to powder and liquid detergents. To be honest, this is generally the case with standard laundry detergent. If you like the convenience, Dropps is the only brand that makes zero-waste pod detergent, and we like it.
Probably not a buy. We think the ingredients in Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets may be questionable, offsetting the good done by being plastic-free, lightweight (less carbon footprint!), and having a fragrance free option. Lastly, this brand is relatively affordable if you go the (very flexible) subscription route.
We are a bit on the fence about Grab Green 3-in-1 Laundry pods. The positives: our laundry came out clean and smelling AMAZING (we got the geranium scent). Warm cozy scent that might be our absolute favorite of all the many laundry products we have tried. However, the price is on the more expensive side (albeit not the most expensive, still almost 2x the cost of Dropps (read our review here)!). Additionally, we did not love that the pods came in a plastic pouch that was marked number 7 recyclable — a 7 means it is often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can't easily be recycled.
It’s a buy! We thought ECOSNext Liquidless Laundry Detergent Squares worked well, and larger strips vs other comparable brands — as a much better price! Highly recommend!
Not a buy. While we thought Tru Earth’s laundry strips worked well enough, we did not see enough of a difference in the product from Beyond Laundry Strips or Sheets Laundry Club to warrant the MUCH higher price tag.
It’s a Mixed Buy! Sheets Laundry Club is a good option if you are looking for a linen scented option — middle of the range in cost when compared to other laundry sheet/strip options, though you can find other options that are more cost effective.
It’s a Strong Buy! Beyond Laundry Sheets is a terrific option if you are looking for an eco-friendly, linen scented option — less expensive than Dropps (our other favorite) and just as convenient and clean. This might be our new go-to for laundry!
Not a buy. While we thought Clean People’s laundry detergent strips worked well enough, we did not see enough of a difference in the product from Beyond Laundry Strips or Sheets Laundry Club to warrant the higher price tag.
BUY. Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder was an accidental find at our grocery store. We liked that you can clean a load of laundry with 1 tablespoon: less shopping, less refilling, less waste in landfills, less space in your home. Given its eco-friendly ingredients, reduced-plastic packaging, and cost per year, we think this laundry powder is a BUY.
It’s a BUY! - we like Thrive Market and think its worth the membership. As a B-corporation, it houses organic, sustainable pantry (and frozen food!) items with some home goods like TP and laundry/dishwasher detergent powder.
We’ll hit you with the bad now: it seems pricey. Membership is $59.95/year and prices look expensive. That said, it is a delivery service that charges nothing for delivery >$49. We compare to Whole Foods in this review, and we think over the course of the year, you can get out ahead by just switching the dishwasher detergent to Thrive Market (details below!).
Yes, Thrive Market Laundry Detergent is a BUY. SLS-free, dye-free, PVA-free, fragrance-free option: this eco-friendly detergent powder is one of the best options. Clothes smell fresh, and come out clean. Thrive is also a B-Corporation (love this). Drawbacks include membership fees as well as plastic bag, which we hope gets resolved over time. Overall, we enjoyed this laundry detergent powder.
