5 Best Eco Friendly Laundry Detergents You Need To Try
Are you looking for an eco-friendly detergent so that you can say goodbye to the big clunky plastic bottle that you’re currently using? This list has got you covered! I will go over the best eco friendly laundry detergents currently on the market so that you have less trial and error to do on your zero waste laundry routine journey.
These eco friendly laundry detergents have minimal packaging (because “zero” waste isn’t actually possible!) and use ingredients that are safe for you and the earth!
Quick story. So I actually had a really horrible zero waste laundry experience and that is why I really wanted to write this post! I don’t want anyone else to suffer like that haha. Basically, I had an allergic reaction to a laundry detergent that I refilled at my local zero waste store. But it was odd because I don’t have sensitive skin and have never had an allergic reaction. I spent weeks feeling itchy and not knowing what was causing it.
After a lot of sleepless nights, I narrowed it down to my laundry detergent. I was SO bummed that this laundry detergent didn’t work out because I was so happy to be able to use a plastic free laundry detergent and pick it up so close to home!
Luckily after a lot of research, I found a laundry detergent that works well for me and I want to share what I learned so that you have a more pleasant experience with your zero waste laundry routine!
This post is all about the best eco friendly laundry detergent products.
How to Switch To an Eco Friendly Laundry Routine
Use the laundry detergent that you already have
SO many resources went into creating the laundry detergent that is currently in your laundry routine so there is no need to waste it. Before going out and buying any laundry detergent on this list, make sure your current products are all used up!
Reconsider how many times you can wear clothing
It is so easy to just throw everything in our laundry hamper without thinking. Instead, consider if you really need to wash what you wore.
If you were just sitting around your house that day, maybe you could get another wear out of the outfit. Use your own discernment on this one or check out different guides on how many wears you can get. This tip will also make your clothes last longer since you won’t be washing them so often which can wear down your clothes.
By wearing our clothes multiple times we can use less water and detergent which is good for the environment and our budgets!
Do your research on eco friendly laundry brands
Since you’re reading this post, you’ve got this step covered!
Learning more about the products we purchase is a great way to choose items that we will love. Sometimes, things go wrong (i.e. my horrible zero waste laundry refill experience) and we can’t avoid all bad purchases.
But when we can buy something and not have to return it or throw it away it saves resources from being wasted.
Consider not using your dryer
Dryers can use a lot of electricity! Have you considered air drying your clothes? I love being able to hang my clothes outside and just let the sun and wind dry them out.
If you live in an apartment or don’t have an outdoor space to dry clothes, you can air dry your clothes on a foldable rack. Even if you don’t want to air dry all of your laundry, even air drying half of it will save you money and be better for the environment.
Now, let’s get into some of the best sustainable laundry detergents available on the market right now.
The Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
Dropps Laundry Detergent
Dropps are my absolute favorite low waste laundry detergent. This is the brand I currently use and what saved me after my bad reaction with the other eco friendly laundry detergent! If you are looking for a zero waste laundry detergent that actually works-trust that this one is effective!
Dropps are so convenient because they come in little pods that you simply throw into the wash with your clothes, that’s it! It is already measured out so you don’t have to worry about detergent spilling all over the place. The laundry detergent pods also come in recyclable boxes!
Dropps comes in a bunch of different scents and styles including one for sensitive skin which I use!
Some things I love about Dropps laundry detergent
- Carbon neutral shipping
- Compostable packaging
- Use plant based ingredients
- Cruelty free and vegan
- Manufactured in USA
Blueland Laundry Detergent
These laundry detergents are pretty impressive! Instead of it being in a pod, it is just a small tab of concentrated laundry detergent. Since it’s just the tab it is lighter which makes shipping a bit more eco friendly!
Things I love about Blueland:
- Naked and plastic free laundry detergent
- Shipped in compostable packaging
- Leaping bunny certified (cruelty free)
The Simply Co Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Powder
Have you heard of plasticfree.com? This laundry detergent was created by the founder of that company! This detergent comes in glass and metal packaging and is in a powder form.
Why I love the simply co laundry detergent
- Made from organic and natural ingredients
- 100% biodegradable and septic sfae
- Comes in a glass jar and metal lid
- Woman owned company
Best Eco Friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Ecos Laundry Detergent Strips
I love the concept of zero waste laundry detergent sheets! All you have to do is tear off a piece and throw it in your laundry.
Before I found dropps I ued Ecos laundry liquid and it worked really well! The only reason I switched was because I did not want to use a laundry detergent that came in a plastic bottle but now they have these strips! If the liquid option worked so well I’m sure these work great too!
True Earth Laundry Detergent Sheets
I wanted to add another zero waste laundry detergent sheet to the list because I think the concept is so cool!
Things I love about Tru Earth
- Vegan & cruelty free
- Zero plastic packaging
- Biodegradable
Molly Suds Laundry Detergent Sheets
They are great because they don’t use any water or plastic packaging!
Why I love Molly Suds laundry sheets:
- Made with plant derived cleaning ingredients
- Doesn’t use harsh chemicals like optical brighteners and artificial dyes & fragrances
- Uses Plant-based surfactants and naturally-occurring enzymes
- The strips are able to be used in standard, commercial, and High-Efficiency washers
- Septic safe & fine with hard water to break up mineral build-up
Zero Waste laundry Room Essentials
I wanted to include a few eco-friendly laundry products that way you have ideas to make your laundry routine completely eco friendly!
Some extra items like fabric softener will not be on this list since I don’t use that but I will update this list if that changes!
Dryer Balls
Just chuck a eco friendly laundry ball in your dryer and they work like conventional dryer sheets! If you want to you can add a few drops of essential oils to the dryer balls to make your clothes smell better.
Stain Stick
Sometimes with tough stains you just need something a little more powerful. Why not try a zero waste stain stick? All you have to do is rub the stick on the stain and then throw it in the wash with the rest of your clothes! The best part is that it doesn’t come in a plastic bottle or have harsh chemicals in it.
Lint Roller
If you have furry friends in your life you may want to check out this lint remover! Instead of having all those sticky paper sheets you have to tear off and throw away you can just clean off the lint remover and keep using it again and again.
Drying Rack
I personally love drying my clothes with good ol sun and wind (My apartment also doesn’t have a dryer!). I really love this drying rack because it can fit two loads of laundry! I just leave it out in the sun and it’s good to go. Air drying our clothes is great for the environment since it saves energy and it also saves you money on your electricity bill!
Benefits of using an eco-friendly laundry detergent
- They are generally made with plant-based ingredients rather than harmful chemicals
- Lower your environmental impact by not using plastic bottles or chemicals that can harm the planet like conventional detergents
- Minimize allergic reactions to toxic chemicals
- Laundry sheets take up less space so they are great to travel with
- You will have clean laundry that if safe for you and the earth! They are effective so you don’t have to use hot water or other tactics to get your laundry clean.
Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Recipe
Homemade laundry detergent sounds like a great idea but I really feel like some things should just be left to scientists to create!
I did my fair share of diy when I started my zero waste lifestyle and some things are really difficult to make at home. Of course, my clothes were clea but I don’t feel like they were as clean as when I used an eco friendly laundry detergent. I believe I used some concoction of baking soda (or borax?), Castile soap, and vinegar.
I’m honestly not even sure at this point but if you want to try making your own laundry detergent because I get it, allergies, then Pinterest is the best place to look for homemade laundry detergent recipes!
How to save money on laundry with a zero waste laundry routine?
- Be mindful of water temperatures. Use cold water more often
- Put full loads in your washing machine
- Avoid dry cleaning and your dryer and air dry instead (or use a dryer rack!)
- Buy a more efficient washing machine if possible
- Don’t use dryer sheets, use reusable dryer balls instead
- Skip the conventional liquid detergent in plastic bottles and use a concentrated nontoxic detergent
How to Upcycle laundry detergent bottles?
Before your throw out your plastic bottles from your traditional detergent (or other cleaning products!) consider these ways to upcycle them.
Just be sure to wash out your plastic bottles before reusing them so it doesn’t cause a skin irritation.
- Arts and crafts projects
- Watering can
- Fill them with cement or sand for at home weights
- Use them to collect trash at the beach or park
- Use them to store small items
- Bring it to your local zero waste store and refill it with zero waste laundry detergent!
How to wash clothes without laundry detergent?
If you are in a pinch and don’t have laundry detergent or you just finished your conventional laundry detergent and are waiting for your eco friendly laundry detergent to come in the mail then try one of the options below!
- Dr. Bronners soap has many uses, one of them being laundry detergent! All you need is 1/2 a cup of Dr. Bronners for your laundry and you’re good to go. The peppermint and tea tree scent are great for laundry day!
- 1/2 cup of Baking soda
- 1/2 cup of Vinegar
- Whatever soap/shampoo you have on hand
For best results you can use one of the options above either in your washing machine or you can wash by hand. Then allow your laundry to dry in the sun.
At the end of the day, the most environmentally friendly laundry detergent is the one you already own. Don’t waste what you already have to buy a more zero waste laundry detergent. Use up what you have then try one of the amazing eco friendly laundry detergents on this list!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about zero waste laundry detergent options.
Other posts you may like:
- 7 Genius Sustainable Bathroom Products I Can’t Live Without
- 7 Amazing Zero Waste Kitchen Must Haves for A Plastic Free Home
- 7 Incredibly Helpful Zero Waste Apps to Support Your Sustainable Lifestyle Goals
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