Plastic Free Laundry Detergent: 15 Eco-Friendly Options
Plastic laundry jugs are a great burden to the environment as they often carry up to 90% of water, are heavy, require a lot of space for transportation, and have, therefore a very high carbon footprint.
Are Laundry Detergent Bottles Recyclable?
Over 30 billion loads of laundry are done in North America each year and over 700 million jugs are discarded every year. These plastic laundry jugs are often made of High-Density Polyethylene HDPE and yes, they are recyclable but their recycling rate according to NAPCOR is around 19.1% only.
You may have come across zero-waste practices before. It’s the idea that you can reduce your environmental impact by cutting down on things like plastic and packaging so that you’re not contributing to our planet’s pollution woes. In the world of laundry detergent, this often means making your detergent from scratch or using natural ingredients instead of nasty chemical ones.
But what about using a plastic free laundry detergent? Is it possible?
The answer is YES, if you’re referring to the packaging. However, everything gets a bit more complicated if you’re referring also to the product ingredients. There are growing numbers of environmentally conscious brands out there — and we’ll cover different aspects in this article, so that we can shed light about some concepts you might not know yet.
The Rise in Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Sheets
One solution to the heavy and bulky plastic laundry jugs has been the invention of plastiic free laundry detergent sheets. One sheet weighs only roughly 3 grams, compared to the roughly 40 grams of a powder detergent load, that’s a 94% lot of saving in weight, which results in saving fuel for transportation and, therefore, 94% saving in CO2. (This data is by the Dizolve Group, the company behind the Tru Earth brand, whio is the inventor of the laundry strip technology). We think that it is a great invention and it has a lot of merit for it, particularly as a low carbon solution. However, it has come to our attention after we had compiled this blog post initially that some liquidless detergents like laundry strips, some laundry pods, and dishwashing tablets coatings contain a material called PVA polyvinyl acetate, commonly known as PVA glue, wood glue, school or white glue, etc., and therefore cannot be claimed 100% plastic free. The same material is also called PVOH polyvinyl alcohol. It is a synthetic polymer, which is both colorless, odorless, and water-soluble. According to product manufacturers, this material fully biodegrades, however, only under specific temperatures, microbes, and other environmental conditions. The same view is shared in a study by the Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, although more independent research on this topic is needed.
How does PVA / PVOH Impact the Environment?
A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled: “Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate” shows that while the material dissolves in water, it doesn’t biodegrade during wastewater treatment and stays in the environment, though under a different matrix, and it is, therefore, a threat to the eco-system. As far as we know though, this is the only study we are aware of about this material in wastewater treatment plants. We know that for some the perceived benefits often outweigh the potential environmental concerns, particularly those related to climate change, as the carbon footprint of laundry sheets is minimal compared to conventional laundry detergents that also include many toxic chemicals, therefore we decided to also list products that contain this ingredient, and highlight this ingredient, to be fully transparent towards the readers.
Are Traditional Laundry Detergents Toxic?
On the other hand, traditional liquid laundry detergents are one of the most toxic cleaners in your laundry cabinet, because we use it so often and on so many items. They include engineered chemicals called optical brighteners (OBs), which are fluorescent dyes that are added in tiny quantities to most laundry products. Why? The reason is that they are fluorescent under UV light, and therrfore, they make whites and colours look brighter. Not enough research is available to identify if these are harmful to humans and wildlife, however one thing is sure. They are not biodegradable. (Watch the video below to learn more).
Other controversial chemical are silicones which are used as an antifoaming agent in laundry detergents and fabric softeners, (and also in cosmetics) and to make your fabric softer. These have been found to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic in the environment.
All these chemicals are residual, which means, they leave a film on your clothes, sheets, pillowcases, and towels which stay on the fabrics. As you see, there is no perfect solution, it’s about choosing products that might not be 100% perfect but are safer for you and the environment.
Best Plastic Free Laundry Detergent Brands
Ready to switch to plastic free laundry detergent brands? Here are some sustainable laundry detergent brands you can use to shine your clothes. Remember: All of the options listed below, while they might not be perfect or 100% plastic-free, they are much better than most of the ones you’ll find on the supermarket shelf, also considering the nasty chemicals that those products contain.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put into researching products and solutions.
1. Blueland Laundry Tablets – USA – Canada
This is the plastic-free laundry detergent of our choice. Why? Because it doesn contain PVA/ PVOH, it comes in compostable packaging and it’s still in a convenient solid form. Laundry detergent is the last thing you want to create a mess with. After all, it’s supposed to clean your clothes—not create an environmental problem. Blueland Laundry Tablets are packaged in a dry, concentrated tablet form and contain no plastic packaging. They are free from toxic ingredients like fragrances, parabens, and artificial dyes, plus they are certified vegan by the Leaping Bunny program. The tablets are shipped in compostable packaging and come with a refillable tin-coated steel container that can be used for storing at home or on the go! The tablets, themselves, are completely plastic-free. The manufacturer states that they are the first and only plastic-free laundry tablet on the market in a convenient single-use format that isn’t wrapped in a plastic film and are therefore PVA/PVOH free. Last but not least, they are climate-neutral and B-Corp certified. We tried these tablets and we were surprised to see that despite their size they work really well! They are very concentrated and you only need 1 tablet for a small load and 2 tablets for a very large load. See our image below.
Manufacturing country: USA
Loads per packaging: 60
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Fragrance-Free
Packaging: compostable refill packaging and reusable, refillable stainless steel tins.
Delivery:
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- From Blueland directly
- Amazon USA – Canada
Image: I’m Plastic Free Founder Simona holding the Blueland plastic free laundry tablets.
2. Tru Earth Eco-Strips – USA / Canada / Australia
Tru Earth Eco-Strips are eco-friendly laundry detergent strips that provide a concentrated dose of cleaning power in a tiny, pre-measured strip. Tru Earth Eco-Strips are made from plant-based ingredients and come in paper packaging. You can simply toss them into the laundry machine together with your clothes. No measuring is necessary. This product is made in Canada and does not use any animal-based ingredients or test on animals. True Earth Eco-Strips are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, phosphate-free, chlorine bleach-free, and free of 1,4-dioxane with no added dyes. They are also certified by independent dermatologists.
Manufacturing country: Canada
Loads per packaging: 32, 64, 384
PVA/ PVOH: yes.
Scent: Lilac Breeze, Fragrance-Free, Fresh Linen.
Packaging: recyclable cardboard box
Delivery:
3. Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder and Pods – USA / Canada / UK
Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder and Laundry Pods are the best natural, vegan laundry detergent for sensitive skin. The products are made with earth and plant-derived ingredients that are safe for both people and the planet and are rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
This laundry detergent is certified vegan and cruelty-free. It can be purchased as a plastic free laundry detergent through the company’s zero-waste bulk refill store The Refillery in St. Petersburg, Florida. However, if you buy the product online it comes in a plastic pouch made of recycled plastic and non-toxic inks. It is a #7 plastic that can be recycled in some areas and through TerraCycle Drop-Off locations. The company uses only the purest ingredients to plan products without carcinogens or known human toxins. Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder is safe for both top and front-loading machines and will leave your clothes smelling fresh without a chemical scent.
Manufacturing country: USA, Florida
Loads per packaging: 60, 70, 120, 240
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Original, Unscented.
Packaging: recycled plastic pouch (#7) that can be recycled again through TerraCycle drop-offs.
Delivery:
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- Amazon USA – Canada – UK
Related: 9 Best Plastic-free Fabric Softeners?
4. Kind Laundry Strips – USA – Canada
The non-toxic formula dissolves at any water temperature, making it safe to use. According to the manufacturer, they’re completely biodegradable, and the cardboard box they come in is recyclable. Since they come in 100% recyclable packages, they’re super light and travel-friendly too!
Simple plant-derived ingredients like coconut oil, corn starch, and lavender make up these natural laundry detergent strips. Pre-measured and individually wrapped for easy use—drop one into your wash as soon as you load it up (no mixing required).
Manufacturing country: China
Loads per packaging: 6 (samples), 60
PVA/ PVOH: yes.
Scent: Ocean Breeze, Fragrance-Free.
Packaging: recyclable cardboard box
Delivery:
5. Eco Roots Laundry Sheets – USA – Canada
EcoRoots laundry detergent sheets are a waste-free alternative to conventional liquid laundry detergents and pods on the market. According to the manufacturer, these biodegradable detergent strips are safe and effective in all washing machine types, and they’re septic-safe. Furthermore, because they’re made in no-drip, no-mess strip format, this makes them very convenient and ideal for traveling, trips to the laundromat, small laundry rooms, etc. The sheets have no harsh chemicals and are hypoallergenic: they are Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free & Phosphate-Free, and Free of Synthetic Fragrances, Optical Brighteners & Dyes. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil free.
Manufacturing country: not disclosed
Loads per packaging: 64
PVA/ PVOH: yes
Scent: Fresh Breeze, Fragrance-Free
Packaging: compostable cardboard box
Delivery:
6. Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergent – USA – Australia
Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergents are made from saponin. This component is a natural cleansing agent and fabric softener found in berries from trees that grow in the Himalayas. These products are free of chemicals or additives harming your and your family’s skin. They’re great for sensitive skin but leave clothes fresh and clean. It’s like pods — you put four to five in a bag and toss the whole thing into the washing machine.
Manufacturing country: Himalayas
Loads per packaging: 100, 360.
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Fragrance-Free
Packaging: compostable cardboard packaging.
Delivery:
Related: Plastic-free Toilet Paper: 13 Eco-friendly Options
7. Meliora Eco Laundry Powder – USA – Canada
Meliora Eco Laundry Powders are concentrated plastic free laundry powders manufactured locally in Chicago, US. They come in a reusable steel container that you can refill with bags from Meliora. And the best part? They’re septic-safe and great for use around kids and pets! Best of all, none of the ingredients are tested on animals, so you can rest easy knowing that this product is safe for your family.
Manufacturing country: USA, IL, Chicago
Loads per packaging: 64
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Unscented
Packaging: refillable steel container and refill pouches.
Delivery:
8. Bestowed Essentials Zero-Waste Laundry Powder – USA
Bestowed Essentials Zero-Waste Laundry Powder is made from biodegradable and compostable ingredients in the USA, by an all-female team in South Dakota. It has a palm oil-free, vegan and cruelty-free formula. It cleans your clothes without fading fabrics and has no parabens, sulfates, preservatives, artificial colors, or fragrances.
It comes in a compostable paper bag with a plant-based, compostable interior lining, with each serving being about the size of 2 tablespoons. This makes it easy to store in small spaces with minimal packaging waste. The powder dissolves easily in water as you add it to your machine’s drum before adding your clothes.
Manufacturing country: USA
Loads per packaging: 64
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Fragrance-Free
Packaging: compostable paper bag with compostable interior lining.
Delivery:
Related: Are you an Environmentalist? You’ll Love These 7 Plastic Free Dish Soap Brands
9. Milk Street Laundry Powder – USA
Milk Street Laundry Powder is a plant-based, zero-waste, safe, organic laundry detergent that smells great and cleans effectively. It is made in small batches in the USA with no petroleum, or synthetic ingredients and it is packaged in post-consumer plastic-free materials (compostable packaging) and uses soap from local breweries that would have otherwise gone to waste!
The company is Earth-conscious, sustainable and is committed to using minimal packaging and shipping as much as possible via recycled materials.
Manufacturing country: USA
Loads per packaging: 30
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Fragrance-Free
Packaging: post-consumer, compostable, biodegradable bag
Delivery: USA
10. Cleancult Laundry Detergent – USA – Canada
Plastic-free laundry detergent is in high demand these days and for a good reason. Every year, we send millions of tons of plastic into landfills, which can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. Luckily, there are plenty of environmentally-friendly options that will help keep your clothes clean without causing harm to the environment.
We’re talking about products like Cleancult laundry detergent! This company uses safe, effective ingredients like citric acid and coconut oil to fight stains and deliver fresh, clean clothes. Cleancult also offers a sustainable shipping model that offsets carbon from your orders. Here is how it works: you buy first a product in a glass bottle, and when it’s empty, the company will send your refills in recyclable milk cartons which can be recycled with their own free mail-back program with their partners at First Star Recycling. Once they receive your refills, your cartons are broken down and given fresh life, transformed into new products like tissues, paper towels, and even eco-friendly building materials.
Manufacturing country: USA
Loads per packaging: 64
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Scent: Fragrance-Free, Juniper Sandalwood, Wild Lavender
Packaging: paper-based eco-refills that can be returned with their own free mail-back program to be recycled with their partners at First Star Recycling.
Delivery:
11. Symbiotic Products Eco Clean Sheets – USA – Canada
Symbiotic Products LLC manufactures all-natural, 100% vegan, concentrated Eco Clean Sheets that are packaged in a recycled cardboard box printed with sustainable algae-ink. This product does’t include any harsh chemicals: 1.4 dioxane, phosphates, optical brighteners, dyes, formaldehyde, chlorine bleaches, nonylphenol ethoxylates, benzyl acetate, ammonium sulfates, dichlorobenzenes. One of the main advantages of this product, a part from being an eco-friendly laundry detergent, is that it is available in bulk, making it an affordable solution for those on low budget.
Manufacturing country: China
Loads per packaging: 100, 400
PVA/ PVOH: yes, plant-derived from coconut
Scent: Simply Unscented, Natural Fresh Linen, Lavender Field, Citrus Burst
Packaging: recycled cardboard box with sustainable algae-ink
Delivery:
12. Earth Breeze Eco Sheets – USA – UK
Earth Breeze Eco Sheets are made from plant-based ingredients and come in a cardboard box with a resealable bag. That means no plastic packaging! This laundry detergent is also hypoallergenic, which makes it a great choice if you have sensitive skin or allergies to other laundry detergents. It’s also safe for use on baby clothes or fabrics made of cotton or linen.
Manufacturing country: China
Loads per packaging: 60
PVA/ PVOH: yes.
Scent: Fresh Scent, Fragrance-Free, Baby
Packaging: cardboard box
Delivery:
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- Amazon USA – UK
Related: 9 Plastic-free Soap Dispensers for Eco-conscious Individuals
13. Resparkle Natural Laundry Powder – Australia
Resparkle has created a green laundry detergent that uses plant-based palm-oil free ingredients and revolutionary biotechnology to clean clothes, remove tough stains and erase odours. The powder is so concentrated that you only need two heap teaspoons to one full (top and front) load, making it an affordable alternative to supermarket detergent brands. This sustainable laundry detergent is free from nasties, it has no synthetic fragrances or artificial color brighteners, it kills 99% of germs naturally and cleans even your washing machine, preventing mould build up!
Manufacturing country: Australia
Loads per packaging: 33
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Price per load: from $0.49
Scent: Australian lemon eucalyptus oil, or fragrance free.
Packaging: compostable pouch
Delivery:
14. Tirtyl Laundry Detergent Sheets – Australia
Tirtly has created Australia’s only laundry detergent sheets kit with humidity-proof storage. The sheets dissolve in your hot or cold wash in seconds and are suitable for use in all machines & hand washing. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and carbon neutral. You can purchase the Starter Kit, which includes a storage box, that can hold up to 100 sheets, and then purchase the refill sheets in bulk to save money. They also collect a bottle of plastic waste for every sheet sold.
Manufacturing country: China
Loads per packaging: 60
PVA/ PVOH: yes.
Price per load: from AU$0.60
Scent: Spring Garden, Unscented
Packaging: refillable tin & refills in cardboard boxes
Delivery:
15. Organic Soap Berries (Soap Nuts) Natural Laundry Detergent – Australia
That Red House has brought to the Australian market the world’s original Certified Organic Soapberries which are a natural, sustainable alternative to traditional fabric softeners and laundry detergents. Organic soapberries, also called soap nuts, are harvested from the Sapindus Mukorossi tree in the Himalayan region. These fruits are a 100% natural way to wash your clothes and can also be used as a concentrated all purpose liquid soap. This form of absolutely zero waste laundry detergent is also ideal for people with all kinds of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and allergy sensitivity, because the berries are extremely hypo-allergenic.
Manufacturing country: Himalayan region
Loads per packaging: 180+
PVA/ PVOH: no.
Price per load: from AU$0.16
Scent: Unscented
Packaging: cotton cloth bag
Delivery:
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to make the switch to a plastic free laundry detergent now? Or are you more adept at sticking with your favorite brand of laundry detergent? There are many ways to reduce your plastic footprint and live a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle. The most convenient way to start this is by switching from an ordinary laundry detergent to a low carbon and possibly plastic-free alternative.
You need not spend extra money in case you want to do your homemade laundry detergent products — they’re often made from common ingredients in your kitchen! So go ahead, find one that works for you!
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Browse our directory to find more eco-friendly laundry detergent brands in your country.
Comments
Ahmed
November 5, 2023 at 11:03 amGreat article, I’m reading it because I’m obliged as a muslim to use detergents that are 1)Alcohol free (in this case PVA free) and 2) doesn’t contain any animal products (vegan) or contain animal products that are derived from permissible animals that are slaughtered according to Islamic terms
So I’m ordering 2 products found in this article from Amazon USA, thanks to God(Allah) and then to you for make me benefit from this article
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I'm Plastic Free
November 6, 2023 at 1:53 pmHi Ahmed,
Thank you so much for providing your feedback and highlighting the religious aspects of your choice. This is something that we’ll consider even more in the future, to help consumers make the choice they need.
Kind regards,
Simona
N. L.
October 8, 2023 at 11:33 amCalling out the PVA info for each brand was super helpful! I ended up purchasing from the smaller Symbiotic Products today and plan to purchase from Blueland in November. Thank you!
I'm Plastic Free
October 9, 2023 at 6:09 pmThank you so much for your great feedback! It’s great to hear it was helpful. We place a lot of time and effort in doing the research & writing these articles. If you purchase through our link, we receive a small commission that help us continue our work (for which we are very passionate about).
Thanks again
Simona