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.
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.
Not a buy. While we like that the product works and has simple ingredients, and very reasonable cost per load, we don’t love the plastic packaging and scoop — especially when the product doesn’t really require it. There are other options out there at similar price-point and much more eco-friendly packaging, such as Aspen Clean’s Oxygen Bleach.
We are a fan of Aspen Clean’s Oxygen Beach Remover! We love the clean ingredients, EWG verified and Leaping Bunny certified, the zero-plastic packaging, and most importantly, the product works — our whites sheets are whiter. Top it all off, the pricing is very reasonable compared to standard Oxi Clean products!
We’re disappointed in ourselves…to have waited THIS LONG to replace our Shout stain remover spray. Meliora’s Laundry Stain Removal Soap Stick is almost too good to be true — zero-waste, clean ingredients, affordable, and most importantly, it works! Buy, buy, buy.
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. Puracy Stain Remover worked very well in lifting old and ink stains on our white clothes. We liked that there was no scent or fragrance and the wait time was 15 minutes. The ingredients, while better than mainstream brands, still contain questionable ingredients, but we think it is a step in the right direction. Price-wise, Puracy beat our old reliable Oxi Clean spray on a cost per ounce. Puracy also offers bulk purchases and refills to make the price even more easy on the wallet.
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.
Overall, we thought Blueland’s laundry tablets worked well, our laundry came out clean and smelling fresh (even though it was unscented!). While it continues to be the most expensive of what we have reviewed, we do appreciate that it is one of the few options that are PVA free, while maintaining the convenience of tablet form. Powder-based products like Meliora and Charley’s remain the most economical options.
BUY. Run, don’t walk. Meliora’s Bleach Alternative, which is color safe, is a buy. We love that it’s unscented: clothes come out just smelling clean. The ingredients are limited and Leaping Bunny Certified. Packaging is recyclable and the formulation is super concentrated. The only pitfall for some might be that it’s a powder and not a convenient pod/sheet/tablet — but we don’t mind.
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.
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.
BUY. If you have the space for a drying rack, Pennsylvania Woodworks drying rack is a buy. Even though it's a slightly pricier upfront purchase, you make your money back in savings from not running the dryer 33-50% less often. Also, given its quality and 100% wood structure, we think it outlasts any of the plastic, epoxy cheaper versions on the market. Lastly, Pennsylvania Woodworks has really small racks which may suit your needs.
DEFINITELY a buy. We love Friendsheep Eco Dryer Balls. The 100% wool dryer balls are eco-friendly and reusable. While costing more upfront, you make it up in 3 months compared to Downy dryer sheets. We expect them to last for years, reducing carbon footprint significantly over time, and not contributing to landfills. These fun dryer balls are a perfect gift for someone trying to be more green.
BUY. Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls in XL were one of our first eco-friendly, zero-waste purchases. We wanted to get away from the scent heavy options at the drug store, while also saving money and not adding to landfills. These dryer balls have retained their shape over two years (no saggy balls here!) and help with removing static and un-bundling our laundry. They are a BUY from us.
MAYBE buy. We like Ingredients Matter Laundry Soap Powder for our tougher wash loads like towels and denim. With safe ingredients, mostly paper packaging, and a lovely scent, we could keep it on our laundry shelf. The cost is near the lower end and we like that you can be flexible with how much detergent to use (unlike laundry pods). The only drawback is using the powder on delicate cycles with cold water: the granules do not dissolve all the way.
Unfortunately Safely Everyday Laundry Detergent is not a buy. While we love the beautiful packaging, there were a number of issues for us: the heavy, floral scent (which some may like), the high price point, difficult to use bottle, and the not so zero-waste product (not biodegradable, refills come in plastic packaging, liquid means heavier transport).