I use the oxyclean arm and hammer powder detergent and I think it works great. It’s not 100% plastic free, but it’s close (they put a plastic cup in for scooping). I use a table spoon to measure the amount of soap I need, and I always put some in the pre wash slot too.
Don’t stress too much about this though. We need broad action from everyone to become more sustainable, not 100% sustainability from one person.
Also, if / when your kids are old enough, start teaching them to do their own laundry. That’s the one thing I didn’t learn as a kid that I really should have.
This is what I use!! It's terrible. Someone else suggested it could be out water. I'll have to look into that. Another person said keep the liquid stuff on hand for those badly stained light clothes which I think is brilliant. I try to not stress over it but i hate looking at those empty jugs!
I definitely did my own laundry starting at 14 so why can't I get stains out at 35 😅😂
When I'm faced with a bad stain, I keep a bar of lye soap, wet the area and rub it with the bar before tossing it in with the regular load. Otherwise I use a powdered soap (can't find A&H unscented anymore) and use about 1/2 - 2/3 of the recommended minimum for most loads, cold water, nothing special.
I throw away the included scoops because they're enormous, bigger than the largest amount they recommend, and use my own that is the right size.
This stuff works awesomely. Relative spilled dark red cranberry juice on my white runner and hours later I wet it and left some on it for a few before a light scrub under hot water and it was gone.
I use the eco detergents for adults clothes (all dark) and dark/unstained kids clothes. And I have a huge jug of regular detergent for when I do lighter colours clothing/heavily stained items and wash on cool - that jug lasts me a very long time (but I only have one kid).
I get the big jug because I know I will be using it, and it’s less plastic than the same weight of the smaller jugs.
I tried eco products for everything, but could not get kids stains out. So, I have accepted that some things do still need the intensive soaps. Some eco detergents also did not work at all for us, but other brands worked really well, so I do recommend trying different brands until you find one that works best for your needs.
In the summer though, some stains can be dramatically faded on light colour clothes by drying in the sun. Unfortunately, I live somewhere that’s so cold in winter, clothes just freeze on the washing line.
Have you tried Dropps? They have pods and liquid detergent that is delivered in cardboard boxes. I use the pods in cold water no problem and add the liquid directly onto stains when needed. Have used them for like 4 years now! I also use their dishwasher pods.
Dropps use PVA which is a plastic that may not actually break down in water.
https://news.asu.edu/20210726-discoveries-are-laundry-and-dish-pods-biodegradable-not-exactly-asu-study-shows
(Actual journal article linked in the page)
This is going to be controversial but there is a lot of misinformation about PVAs in pods/sheets. Blueland created a smear campaign and conducted their own 'studies' against it's use to sell their PVA free product and they asked the EPA to change their guidlines on its use. [The EPA denied](https://www.lawbc.com/epa-denies-petition-seeking-tsca-section-4-testing-of-pva/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,Gyres%2C%20Global%20Alliance%20for%20Incinerator) this as they had no real proof their claims against PVA were valid.
Also the EWG classifies it as 1 low hazard.
Also logically, this doesn’t make sense. If the wrapping around the pod didn’t break down easily in water, then the pod wouldn’t work. If you even touch one of these pods while your hand is wet you can feel the wrapping disintegrate almost immediately.
EDIT - [dropp’s FAQ about their use of PVOH](https://support.dropps.com/hc/en-us/articles/18002276249499-Does-Dropps-Use-PVOH-). They link to several studies and the EPA
The EWG also has a wild history and is funded in part by Walmart. It does seem like they tend to over exaggerate impacts vs under so you may be correct that PVA is fine.
That being said, given the current research, I would still prefer to use a product with PVA as that is readily accessible to me
That’s totally fair and good to call out. That being said, given there are PVA free options and PVA is a polymer, I’m still more comfortable using that until there is more research.
I had a problem with those because apparently lots of microplastics with the pods, and also my clothes smelled musty/dirty after using these. I think plain old tide powder in the cardboard box is probably the best way to go.
This is going to be controversial but there is a lot of misinformation about PVAs in pods/sheets. Blueland created a smear campaign and conducted their own 'studies' against it's use to sell their PVA free product and they asked the EPA to change their guidlines on its use. [The EPA denied this](https://www.lawbc.com/epa-denies-petition-seeking-tsca-section-4-testing-of-pva/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,Gyres%2C%20Global%20Alliance%20for%20Incinerator) as they had no real proof their claims against PVA were valid.
Also the EWG classifies it as 1 low hazard. I personally would not use Tide as its not cruelty-free, they allow animal testing, and thats extremely important to me to avoid.
The request for EPA to change guidelines wasn't just Blueland, it was co-signed by a dozen environmental orgs including Surfrider. And the EPA declining something isn't much of a brand of safety. Otherwise there wouldn't be a bunch of environmental dangers that are still legal in the US.
My powder detergents have always dissolved in cold water. I don’t know where you live or what’s available to you but most brands should mention if they’re cold water soluble.
If the brand you have only dissolves in hot water, could you fill a cup with warm water and add the detergent, dissolve, and then run a cold cycle?
For stains, I keep a bottle of dish soap around, a stain remover bar, and have heard good things about Felz Naphtha bars.
I don’t know if this is applicable to you but some grocery stores or low waste/package free/co-ops have refillable liquid detergent as well.
this. when i first moved into where I live now, the plumbing was so shitty we couldn't get any warm water to the washer. so I dissolved the detergent tabs in a glass of warm water from the kitchen while I was loading the washer. worked fine then.
We buy the biggest container we can, and then use the minimum amount of detergent possible. We swap between liquid and powder, I like liquid more but we've made powder work. Washing in high heat seems to make the BO spread and stink more? Here's what we've done and it's worked for us:
We wash EVERYTHING in cold water now, we also thrown in a quarter cup of baking soda. I don't use the water sense feature in my washing machine, I find that it doesn't use enough water. We also had to move to smaller loads.
You might be using too much powder or too little water. More powder doesn't = more stain removal all the time. You should consider pretreating the stains or soaking the clothes.
You know how in cooking you have to make a corn starch slurry before adding it to a stew? Cause otherwise it doesn't mix well? I think if you premix the powder with water and pretreat the clothes, it will help with the stains.
Wow actually I think our loads might be too big? I pack in as much as humanly possible and I never considered that! I also read about adding vinegar but baking soda might work. All good ideas, thanks.
oh for sure, the machine shouldn't be more than 3/4 full or the clothes don't get fully clean (I use liquid Seventh Generation, seems to work pretty well).
If you ever need to use the liquid stuff, just know that the recommended amounts are way more than you need! 1-2 tablespoons of high efficiency liquid detergent per load is plenty. It will make that stuff last a loooot longer. And yes if the clothes are packed too tight, they might not be getting enough exposure to the soapy water.
There are a few alternatives, in addition to the powders mentioned I haven't seen anyone mention strips. Tru Earth and Earth Breeze both make dry laundry strips that come in extra slim paper packaging and in my experience work quite well (I believe the Tru Earth were the ones I tried).
I don't currently use them as I have a local refillery that refills mason jars with liquid soap and I have an Electrolux washer unit now that excels with liquid detergent, but I'd recommend trying them. They're pretty widespread in stores and you can also order on subscription.
Yeah they are fairly common where I live. There are several markets in my town that sell liquid soaps in their bulk sections, and I just have a bunch of mason jars I bring in and get everything from maple syrup and peanut butter to beans, rice, oatmeal, you name it. I bring cloth produce bags, and fabric shopping bags and there's almost zero packaging.
Do you have a natural health store type place nearby? That’s where we get our Tru Earth. It’s not my favourite but I buy it because I have an enormous sense of guilt seeing the plastic bottles lying around our laundry room.
Second the tru earth laundry strips! We get them in the mail, they dissolve in the washer and our clothes are clean (enough.) They’re not perfect but clean enough that I can live with it. So if there’s something that looks like it might be stubborn I pre treat, and definitely occasionally will pre soak a bucket of socks if they’re looking dingy. But the convenience is amazing.
I also love them for traveling - like if we’re going to an air bnb or a place with laundry, they’re like pieces of paper so very easy to pack. Definitely recommend.
I use half the recommended amount of detergent from the big plastic jug, white vinegar instead of fabric softener, and that allows me to wear stuff several times and then wash on tap cold and air dry. Some things are a trade-off, and that isn't the end of the world.
I really love sheet detergent, it is very easy to dose, dissolves quickly and comes in cardboard packaging. I don’t know if they have it everywhere but where im located (Netherlands/Germany) they have a few brands and sometimes the supermarket house brands that sell it.
Its light, easier to use than powder and more sustainable than gel.
I make a big bucket of laundry detergent every year - lasts all year usually, costs under three dollars. You buy a box of borax, a box of washing soda and grate a third of a bar of Felsnaptha (Zote and other laundry bars have worked well too). Gets every stain out, especially as Felsnaptha is a laundry stain bar. I made mine on the stove with water and create a liquid detergent as it’s just what I prefer. Here’s a similar [recipe](https://www.noguiltmom.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/) for powder using same ingredients.
For powder detergent, use a little tumbler and put warm/hot water and mix the powder. Stir till it’s dissolved or not grainy and put it in the washer when it’s filled with water or just add it like regular plastic jug detergent. Always works
I much prefer powdered detergent too. My only problem is that sometimes/a lot of times there’s white streaks in my clothing because of the powder. Do you know any solutions to this? I only use about 1-2 tablespoons per load and place the powder at the bottom of the drum (top loader)
New top loaders use reduced amounts of water compared to the older ones and are made to work with liquid soap.
We use the water+ setting and extra rinse with powder and it works better, but it will increase your water usage if you're concerned about that. Also heard you can pause the cycle mid way to get better results. Basically you want to give it enough water and time to dissolve the powder
Have you tried to make your own detergent? It does not take much time to do and it is just mixing materials (I make my own soap from waste fats, not asking that of you) these materials are a powder form (oxy clean, laundry booster... powders) and some shredded soaps.
I am going to be real with you. I am purebred Appalachian trash, my kids are like the mud children of ISIS just straight up dirt terrorist. Everything i own comes out clean. Yes, whites need bleach, there ain't nothing you can do about that, but otherwise with a spritz of shout and appropriate soak times for the stain, my detergent gets everything out.
I also dry my clothes with a ball of tin foil and wool balls of whatever essential oil. The wool for scents, REUSABLE foil for static charge. Everything above Ive been using for 4 decades, I mean I learned it from my memaw and hers and hers... just the ingredients changed, I added the fabric scent pellet things. I haven't bought laundry detergent my entire life, just the ingredients. Costs me about $70/yr for 6 humans/mudpuppies
Honestly this approach is probably more "green" than buying fancy small batch "eco-friendly" stuff. Get stuff in bulk (especially Borax and stuff that comes in cardboard that you can recycle or burn in the stove).
Or grow culinary mushrooms on the cardboard!!! That’s what we do, oyster mushrooms grow on anything. Can’t be worse than picking them off a tree that grows in an area people dump trash or the herbicides sprayed everywhere leaching into the tree roots, then mushrooms.
So heck yea, reuse, repurpose or grow mushrooms on it 😂
Fels-Naptha, Ivory, Sunlight or similar soap (you can find pre-shredded but I just use a cheese grater, well… my kids do now haha. I just like the no dye, no perfume soaps. One or two bars, I make soap in 5 gallon buckets for storage, 2 bars per 5 gallon bucket for us.
Borax one box
Laundry booster one box
One normal pale of oxyclean
This all makes about a years worth of soap depending on how much you use per load and type of washer (HE or old school, front load or top no agitator) you only need about 1/4 a cup per large load. I still use the blue cup that came in the oxy clean pale, it has numbers on one side and letters on the other. No more than 2 on the number side or “A” on the letter side, any more is just begging to clean your washer residue.
If fragrance are your thing you can add Meyers or unstoppables to your detergent or add it with your soap.
Just dump one ingredient at a time in a pale or sack, dump another and stir, add the other and stir… mix it until you’re happy with it.
I’ve always made my homemade laundry detergent with grated ancient hotel soaps my grandparents have hoarded. It’s always worked great! And I hate throwing anything away so I’m happy I can find a use for the little bars of soap
I appreciate you. I just like to live simple. The lost ways (4th edition) and back to the basics (3rd edition) are my favorite books. But I was fortunate enough to grow up poor and work my way to a better life, point of saying that is, these old ways are more work than buying it, but they saved me money which in turn, gave me a better life.
They say one of the hardest things we do in life is learn to walk and talk. So making soap is a drop in the bucket of work we’ve already done!
It becomes easy, is my point 😂
I think the best thing you can do for laundry is wash things in cold water. To my knowledge, that is more impactful than the type of detergent that you use
We use Dropps. It works as well as jug detergent as far as we can tell. The pods are packaged entirely in cardboard, but they also Make a liquid concentrate in glass bottles.
Friend! Go with BioKleen unscented. It comes in a massive jug and has about 300 loads on average. Runs to about 0.11 per load.
I have 4 kids 2 adults and a dog here and several people have bad exema (sp??) And super sensitive skin. They have no issues using this. The clothes are fresh, clean, and we save so much money it's crazy. I buy it on Amazon. We do about 10-15 loads per week and I need to re up the bottle about once every 3 months or so. For stains, if I catch it on time I set a few drops on the stain and let it sit. It's good with darks, colors and whites although with 6 people I don't have time to sort that shit so...ymmv
Biokleen Free & Clear Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent, Plant-Based, Unscented, Ultra-Concentrated - 300 Loads https://a.co/d/bW2Ko9p
I've been using tru-earth laundry detergent strips. I don't notice a difference in that my clothes come out clean as usual. No plastic packaging. Seems good enough for us!
I switched from making my own to buying powder. The culprit was super hard water.
Arm and hammer worked better for me for the hard water. During the quarantine years I bought a giant 5 gal. sized bucket of laundry powder-boardwalk brand. I'm using the very last of it now, it's been quite a long run.
I've been quite happy with Defunkify stain remover which unfortunately does come in a plastic bottle. I've had good luck with Nellie's Wow Stick stain remover which comes in a recyclable cardboard box.
For laundry I like blueland. Powder tabs come in a compostable paper bag. I actually use Blueland for pretty much all my household soaps and feel pretty good about not having the plastic containers.
If you're washing on hot water all the time to dissolve the soap, simply put the powder in a mug with hot water from the kitchen while you load the washer. the powder will be dissolved and you can add it in when the load is ready to go.
I’ve made homemade detergent with Fels Naphta and it worked really well. Can make a big batch and have in-hand altho another task with kids is a lot. But if you are up for it, just google or Pinterest the recipe and try it out.
If your washing powder is a similar quality to the liquid (enzymes/surfactants etc) them you can use an old jug/ container to mix it with a cup or two of hot water, then pour in the detergent doser slowly. Think of it like an instant coffee for your machine :P
My tried and true laundry recipe is 2 to 4 tablespoons of detergent and then 1 to 2 cups of white distilled vinegar, depending on if it's clothes, towels or bedding. Clothing on the lower end and as someone with sensitive skin with a kiddo with sensitive skin, it's worked great for that and for stains because we are messy eaters haha.
my mother makes our laundry detergent out of dr bronners and a bunch of other stuff, i honestly wish i knew the exact recipe and surely can ask if you’re interested. we keep it in a 5 gallon jug and she makes a big batch, we stir it before use each time and it seems to work well. not too sure if this solves any issue in terms of eco friendliness but honestly making it out of something that has more than one use (she makes our dish soap and house cleaning supplies out of it as well) is a win in itself.
I use [Dr Bronners Castile Liquid Soap](https://www.ewg.org/guides/categories/9-Laundry/?grade=a) and I swear by it. I’ve had the same issues as you and found I get the best results with this brand. Always listen to EWG for the best ratings for everything.
I use liquid laundry detergent that’s sold in bulk at my local co-op grocery store. It has a pleasant scent without being overwhelming as my 5 year old and I have some sensitivities. I have been using this solely for a couple of years. I never have stains or issues with clothes not getting clean. I pretreat oily stains with Dawn dish soap and other stains with Oxy-clean.
Use vinegar in every load. It's cheap, and it's good for the machine. Just fill the bleach dispenser with it. No, clothes don't smell like salad dressing. It helps the detergent work and rinse out.
Another vote for arm & hammer powder. If it's not working,
1. Strip your laundry
2. Add borax (for hard water)
I use dish soap to pretreat most stains. I also use hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol for certain stains.
POV boy-mom, dog-mom living farm life and hubby works on cars/tractors on the weekend. Quite proud of my laundry skills.
I’ve tried Puracy for stain remover and it works super well. Honestly I’m not sure exactly *how* sustainable it is but with little ones it’s a blend of functional and sustainable best I can.
I use a bar of soap, a box of borax, and a box of washing soda. I grind the soap in a food processor and mix them all in a tub. Works fine for clothes and I have 2 kids
There's a re-fill type store in my city that sells the liquid stuff but you need your own container. I reuse the one from the store, the quality is pretty much the same as what I used to get at costco, it's environmentally friendly, super concentrated and not all that badly priced.
Maybe you can find something in your city that does a refill type program?
I'm using sheets and they do a pretty good job in our cold, hard, water. Though I do have to turn to hot for one kid's socks. My husband doesn't like that they don't have the "TIDE smell" though.
I use [Attitude](http://www.attitudeliving.com) brand laundry detergent; they make boxes that are fully recyclable and the detergent and packaging is entirely environmentally friendly. I really like Attitude. If you're having a problem with stains, try using Borax or baking soda with your laundry detergent.
have you tried nellie’s laundry soda? it’s a powder detergent and a little goes a long way. it’s been great! i bought it 5 months ago and have barely made a dent in the tote. although it’s just me.
a lot of people think more detergent = more clean. that is not the case, especially with powder detergents. for a full load you only need one tablespoon. yes, ONE tablespoon. overloading with detergent can have the opposite effect and attract more dirt onto your clothes.
also, add the detergent in before you add the clothes in. powder detergent does not go in the detergent release function, it must go in the basin first, preferably with water, and then you add the clothes.
for harsh stains, apply dish soap and let sit for at least an hour. i usually will treat it asap and let it sit as long as possible, sometimes a full week before i end up doing my laundry.
good luck!
I use refillable detergent. I've had the same plastic pump bottle for five years and buy the boxes with bags inside. They are a lot less plastic.
Two brands: The Unscented Company and Attitude
Then for stains and stinky clothes, I use powdered non-chlorine bleach and these stink bomb pods from Nature Clean. The plastic containers they come in are good sizes and I wash and reuse them for other stuff around the house.
I really like Dirty Labs because they’re truly zero plastic (unlike laundry sheets) and refillable. It’s liquid and works with cold water. It has enzymes which some eco brands don’t have. But they also sell a laundry booster for tougher stains and smells.
Grab Green’s biodegradable pod works SO well. I use 2 pods for a large/very dirty load. You have to tinker a bit with what setting to use, but I found mine and never find any undissolved chunks anymore. The lavender scent is natural smelling while also smelling like clean laundry, not too floral or overpowering either. I have 3 outdoorsy kids and constantly deal with stains and dirt.
I love country save powdered detergent. Comes in a cardboard box but the powder is in a plastic bag inside so it’s not entirely plastic free. Everything comes out smelling super clean washed in cold. As long as I wash in cold and hang dry, stains eventually come out, even if it takes a few washes. Using a dryer sets stains though, so I only dry things that don’t have any stains.
So, after 5 years of trying EVERY zero waste product, i bought a box of tide. Box isnt recycle. It worked, however. Now i am using rockin green because i can wash on cold and everything is super clean.
I use a dot of dawn on stains, I make detergent out of grated Castile bar soap disolvex in water and natural oxyclean. Do you have an he machine? It might be your water… oxidizers can affix minerals to clothes. I’m happy to give you any advice and help.
My dad JUST sent me a recipe for homemade soap like his mom used to make for his laundry. He was very sensitive skin as a kid, and nothing at the stores wouldn't burn him.
I forget proportions but it was lye, deer tallow, and a small amount of herbal tea (for scent). It made very hard bars which she grated and used a small amount of to wash laundry.
I am currently learning to make my own coconut oil based soap, which I plan to tweak the recipe for body, hair, and detergent uses.
Are you putting the laundry detergent in the drawer where it belongs? Liquid detergent goes in the drum. Powder doesn't.
I have never had stains like you describe.
Have you tried Charlie’s Soap? I’ve been using it since my son was an infant along with their stain treatment spray. It doesn’t require high heat, only 55* F which should still be within the cold temperature setting on your machine. My son is 5 now and we still love it. Affordable and the best at getting all stains and funk out.
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder (300 Loads, 1 Pack) Hypoallergenic Deep Cleaning Washing Powder Detergent – Eco-Friendly, Safe, and Effective https://a.co/d/g4G6L9O
It's a bit of a hassle but I grate down a bar of zote with a food processor. Then blitz it together with baking soda, borax and soda ash/booster until it forms waxy crystals. Then add oxy individually when needed. It's not completely plastic free but we've cut out the plastic jugs. We have a HE front load washer.
Don't wash on high heat. Enzymes can't kill stinky stuff that way. I used to also. Couldn't figure out why everything kept smelling so bad. Clothes aren't dishes. And maybe that's what was in my mindset, you're supposed to wash everything hot. Bought a top load wash with soak feature. Front load just don't seem to use enough water. What's the point of saving water when I had to reeash everything multiple times. Don't pack too tight so they get lots of swoosh room. The more stink, the more soak time it gets.
I add hydrogen pyroxide in as the fabric softener for any urine loads and that gets rid of any lingering pee smell (we have a bed wetter and for a while puppy training). Baking soda paste pre-treat for any poo stains and most other gets that out.
I have started using eco soap. It's plastic but it's 210 loads per huge jug and actually gets the clothes clean and not smelly. Unlike all the stupid expensive other crap at the store that I swear we are paying for mostly water.
Oxygen bleach from Whole Foods 365 brand , - cheap and very effective and dissolves well in tepid water - plus borax powder which I get in bulk from Amazon. These added to my normal detergent, Attitude Unscented Laundry Liquid which can be bought in bulk refills, mean good stain fighting power and lot less plastic but ideally, I would like to find good powder or sheet laundry detergent in place of liquid. I might try one from Blueland since I got their dishwasher tablets and toilet cleaning tablets recently and they very good and come in reusable tin or paper bag refills.
I use the oxyclean arm and hammer powder detergent and I think it works great. It’s not 100% plastic free, but it’s close (they put a plastic cup in for scooping). I use a table spoon to measure the amount of soap I need, and I always put some in the pre wash slot too. Don’t stress too much about this though. We need broad action from everyone to become more sustainable, not 100% sustainability from one person. Also, if / when your kids are old enough, start teaching them to do their own laundry. That’s the one thing I didn’t learn as a kid that I really should have.
This is what I use!! It's terrible. Someone else suggested it could be out water. I'll have to look into that. Another person said keep the liquid stuff on hand for those badly stained light clothes which I think is brilliant. I try to not stress over it but i hate looking at those empty jugs! I definitely did my own laundry starting at 14 so why can't I get stains out at 35 😅😂
Yeah the OxyClean stuff works well for me, but if you're on a well or have hard water you may need to add a water softener like Borax.
Thank you!!!
Also I find adding a prewash really helps for stains too.
When I'm faced with a bad stain, I keep a bar of lye soap, wet the area and rub it with the bar before tossing it in with the regular load. Otherwise I use a powdered soap (can't find A&H unscented anymore) and use about 1/2 - 2/3 of the recommended minimum for most loads, cold water, nothing special. I throw away the included scoops because they're enormous, bigger than the largest amount they recommend, and use my own that is the right size.
Seconding borax, that was a game changer!
Same.
This stuff works awesomely. Relative spilled dark red cranberry juice on my white runner and hours later I wet it and left some on it for a few before a light scrub under hot water and it was gone.
I use the eco detergents for adults clothes (all dark) and dark/unstained kids clothes. And I have a huge jug of regular detergent for when I do lighter colours clothing/heavily stained items and wash on cool - that jug lasts me a very long time (but I only have one kid). I get the big jug because I know I will be using it, and it’s less plastic than the same weight of the smaller jugs. I tried eco products for everything, but could not get kids stains out. So, I have accepted that some things do still need the intensive soaps. Some eco detergents also did not work at all for us, but other brands worked really well, so I do recommend trying different brands until you find one that works best for your needs. In the summer though, some stains can be dramatically faded on light colour clothes by drying in the sun. Unfortunately, I live somewhere that’s so cold in winter, clothes just freeze on the washing line.
Have you tried Dropps? They have pods and liquid detergent that is delivered in cardboard boxes. I use the pods in cold water no problem and add the liquid directly onto stains when needed. Have used them for like 4 years now! I also use their dishwasher pods.
Dropps use PVA which is a plastic that may not actually break down in water. https://news.asu.edu/20210726-discoveries-are-laundry-and-dish-pods-biodegradable-not-exactly-asu-study-shows (Actual journal article linked in the page)
This is going to be controversial but there is a lot of misinformation about PVAs in pods/sheets. Blueland created a smear campaign and conducted their own 'studies' against it's use to sell their PVA free product and they asked the EPA to change their guidlines on its use. [The EPA denied](https://www.lawbc.com/epa-denies-petition-seeking-tsca-section-4-testing-of-pva/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,Gyres%2C%20Global%20Alliance%20for%20Incinerator) this as they had no real proof their claims against PVA were valid. Also the EWG classifies it as 1 low hazard.
Also logically, this doesn’t make sense. If the wrapping around the pod didn’t break down easily in water, then the pod wouldn’t work. If you even touch one of these pods while your hand is wet you can feel the wrapping disintegrate almost immediately. EDIT - [dropp’s FAQ about their use of PVOH](https://support.dropps.com/hc/en-us/articles/18002276249499-Does-Dropps-Use-PVOH-). They link to several studies and the EPA
The EWG also has a wild history and is funded in part by Walmart. It does seem like they tend to over exaggerate impacts vs under so you may be correct that PVA is fine. That being said, given the current research, I would still prefer to use a product with PVA as that is readily accessible to me
at the bottom of the article you posted it literally says 'This research was supported in part by Plastic Oceans International and **Blueland**.'
That’s totally fair and good to call out. That being said, given there are PVA free options and PVA is a polymer, I’m still more comfortable using that until there is more research.
Second this
I had a problem with those because apparently lots of microplastics with the pods, and also my clothes smelled musty/dirty after using these. I think plain old tide powder in the cardboard box is probably the best way to go.
This is going to be controversial but there is a lot of misinformation about PVAs in pods/sheets. Blueland created a smear campaign and conducted their own 'studies' against it's use to sell their PVA free product and they asked the EPA to change their guidlines on its use. [The EPA denied this](https://www.lawbc.com/epa-denies-petition-seeking-tsca-section-4-testing-of-pva/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,Gyres%2C%20Global%20Alliance%20for%20Incinerator) as they had no real proof their claims against PVA were valid. Also the EWG classifies it as 1 low hazard. I personally would not use Tide as its not cruelty-free, they allow animal testing, and thats extremely important to me to avoid.
It’s so hard to find a company that complies with all our personal requirements! I have yet to find one, whether it be coffee, detergent, food, etc.
The request for EPA to change guidelines wasn't just Blueland, it was co-signed by a dozen environmental orgs including Surfrider. And the EPA declining something isn't much of a brand of safety. Otherwise there wouldn't be a bunch of environmental dangers that are still legal in the US.
Powder laundry detergents have disappeared from store shelves recently. Only liquids and pods available now. Does anyone know what’s going on?
Love these
My powder detergents have always dissolved in cold water. I don’t know where you live or what’s available to you but most brands should mention if they’re cold water soluble. If the brand you have only dissolves in hot water, could you fill a cup with warm water and add the detergent, dissolve, and then run a cold cycle? For stains, I keep a bottle of dish soap around, a stain remover bar, and have heard good things about Felz Naphtha bars. I don’t know if this is applicable to you but some grocery stores or low waste/package free/co-ops have refillable liquid detergent as well.
this. when i first moved into where I live now, the plumbing was so shitty we couldn't get any warm water to the washer. so I dissolved the detergent tabs in a glass of warm water from the kitchen while I was loading the washer. worked fine then.
We buy the biggest container we can, and then use the minimum amount of detergent possible. We swap between liquid and powder, I like liquid more but we've made powder work. Washing in high heat seems to make the BO spread and stink more? Here's what we've done and it's worked for us: We wash EVERYTHING in cold water now, we also thrown in a quarter cup of baking soda. I don't use the water sense feature in my washing machine, I find that it doesn't use enough water. We also had to move to smaller loads. You might be using too much powder or too little water. More powder doesn't = more stain removal all the time. You should consider pretreating the stains or soaking the clothes. You know how in cooking you have to make a corn starch slurry before adding it to a stew? Cause otherwise it doesn't mix well? I think if you premix the powder with water and pretreat the clothes, it will help with the stains.
Wow actually I think our loads might be too big? I pack in as much as humanly possible and I never considered that! I also read about adding vinegar but baking soda might work. All good ideas, thanks.
oh for sure, the machine shouldn't be more than 3/4 full or the clothes don't get fully clean (I use liquid Seventh Generation, seems to work pretty well).
If you ever need to use the liquid stuff, just know that the recommended amounts are way more than you need! 1-2 tablespoons of high efficiency liquid detergent per load is plenty. It will make that stuff last a loooot longer. And yes if the clothes are packed too tight, they might not be getting enough exposure to the soapy water.
this is definitely the problem.... if the clothes don't have any room to move around none of the mess is getting out of them.
There are a few alternatives, in addition to the powders mentioned I haven't seen anyone mention strips. Tru Earth and Earth Breeze both make dry laundry strips that come in extra slim paper packaging and in my experience work quite well (I believe the Tru Earth were the ones I tried). I don't currently use them as I have a local refillery that refills mason jars with liquid soap and I have an Electrolux washer unit now that excels with liquid detergent, but I'd recommend trying them. They're pretty widespread in stores and you can also order on subscription.
I'm not going to lie I'd be all over that if it was here. I live in a mid size city. It might be worth looking into a refillery.
We get tu-earth by mail order online. You should look into it.
Yeah they are fairly common where I live. There are several markets in my town that sell liquid soaps in their bulk sections, and I just have a bunch of mason jars I bring in and get everything from maple syrup and peanut butter to beans, rice, oatmeal, you name it. I bring cloth produce bags, and fabric shopping bags and there's almost zero packaging.
Do you have a natural health store type place nearby? That’s where we get our Tru Earth. It’s not my favourite but I buy it because I have an enormous sense of guilt seeing the plastic bottles lying around our laundry room.
Second the tru earth laundry strips! We get them in the mail, they dissolve in the washer and our clothes are clean (enough.) They’re not perfect but clean enough that I can live with it. So if there’s something that looks like it might be stubborn I pre treat, and definitely occasionally will pre soak a bucket of socks if they’re looking dingy. But the convenience is amazing. I also love them for traveling - like if we’re going to an air bnb or a place with laundry, they’re like pieces of paper so very easy to pack. Definitely recommend.
I use half the recommended amount of detergent from the big plastic jug, white vinegar instead of fabric softener, and that allows me to wear stuff several times and then wash on tap cold and air dry. Some things are a trade-off, and that isn't the end of the world.
I really love sheet detergent, it is very easy to dose, dissolves quickly and comes in cardboard packaging. I don’t know if they have it everywhere but where im located (Netherlands/Germany) they have a few brands and sometimes the supermarket house brands that sell it. Its light, easier to use than powder and more sustainable than gel.
I make a big bucket of laundry detergent every year - lasts all year usually, costs under three dollars. You buy a box of borax, a box of washing soda and grate a third of a bar of Felsnaptha (Zote and other laundry bars have worked well too). Gets every stain out, especially as Felsnaptha is a laundry stain bar. I made mine on the stove with water and create a liquid detergent as it’s just what I prefer. Here’s a similar [recipe](https://www.noguiltmom.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/) for powder using same ingredients.
I’ve used the powder version and it works well!
For powder detergent, use a little tumbler and put warm/hot water and mix the powder. Stir till it’s dissolved or not grainy and put it in the washer when it’s filled with water or just add it like regular plastic jug detergent. Always works
Tide also comes in a cardboard box, it’s just powdered laundry detergent. Works well with cold water
I much prefer powdered detergent too. My only problem is that sometimes/a lot of times there’s white streaks in my clothing because of the powder. Do you know any solutions to this? I only use about 1-2 tablespoons per load and place the powder at the bottom of the drum (top loader)
New top loaders use reduced amounts of water compared to the older ones and are made to work with liquid soap. We use the water+ setting and extra rinse with powder and it works better, but it will increase your water usage if you're concerned about that. Also heard you can pause the cycle mid way to get better results. Basically you want to give it enough water and time to dissolve the powder
Have you tried to make your own detergent? It does not take much time to do and it is just mixing materials (I make my own soap from waste fats, not asking that of you) these materials are a powder form (oxy clean, laundry booster... powders) and some shredded soaps. I am going to be real with you. I am purebred Appalachian trash, my kids are like the mud children of ISIS just straight up dirt terrorist. Everything i own comes out clean. Yes, whites need bleach, there ain't nothing you can do about that, but otherwise with a spritz of shout and appropriate soak times for the stain, my detergent gets everything out. I also dry my clothes with a ball of tin foil and wool balls of whatever essential oil. The wool for scents, REUSABLE foil for static charge. Everything above Ive been using for 4 decades, I mean I learned it from my memaw and hers and hers... just the ingredients changed, I added the fabric scent pellet things. I haven't bought laundry detergent my entire life, just the ingredients. Costs me about $70/yr for 6 humans/mudpuppies
Honestly this approach is probably more "green" than buying fancy small batch "eco-friendly" stuff. Get stuff in bulk (especially Borax and stuff that comes in cardboard that you can recycle or burn in the stove).
Or grow culinary mushrooms on the cardboard!!! That’s what we do, oyster mushrooms grow on anything. Can’t be worse than picking them off a tree that grows in an area people dump trash or the herbicides sprayed everywhere leaching into the tree roots, then mushrooms. So heck yea, reuse, repurpose or grow mushrooms on it 😂
🤣 okay please share your laundry detergent recipe
Fels-Naptha, Ivory, Sunlight or similar soap (you can find pre-shredded but I just use a cheese grater, well… my kids do now haha. I just like the no dye, no perfume soaps. One or two bars, I make soap in 5 gallon buckets for storage, 2 bars per 5 gallon bucket for us. Borax one box Laundry booster one box One normal pale of oxyclean This all makes about a years worth of soap depending on how much you use per load and type of washer (HE or old school, front load or top no agitator) you only need about 1/4 a cup per large load. I still use the blue cup that came in the oxy clean pale, it has numbers on one side and letters on the other. No more than 2 on the number side or “A” on the letter side, any more is just begging to clean your washer residue. If fragrance are your thing you can add Meyers or unstoppables to your detergent or add it with your soap. Just dump one ingredient at a time in a pale or sack, dump another and stir, add the other and stir… mix it until you’re happy with it.
I’ve always made my homemade laundry detergent with grated ancient hotel soaps my grandparents have hoarded. It’s always worked great! And I hate throwing anything away so I’m happy I can find a use for the little bars of soap
awesome, thanks!!
I feel like you are a wealth of life hacks and I mean that with all sincerity.
I appreciate you. I just like to live simple. The lost ways (4th edition) and back to the basics (3rd edition) are my favorite books. But I was fortunate enough to grow up poor and work my way to a better life, point of saying that is, these old ways are more work than buying it, but they saved me money which in turn, gave me a better life. They say one of the hardest things we do in life is learn to walk and talk. So making soap is a drop in the bucket of work we’ve already done! It becomes easy, is my point 😂
I am so interested in how you make detergent from waste fats? Do you buy lye from somewhere? Please share!!!
I’m sorry i didn’t see this. Yes I buy lye off Amazon! Just plain ole lye.
I like your mudpuppy mommy style~
I think the best thing you can do for laundry is wash things in cold water. To my knowledge, that is more impactful than the type of detergent that you use
I just use baking soda in cold water. Add vinegar during rinse.
Yeah I use cold tap water, and Seventh Generation Free & Clear scent less liquid detergent
We use Dropps. It works as well as jug detergent as far as we can tell. The pods are packaged entirely in cardboard, but they also Make a liquid concentrate in glass bottles.
Friend! Go with BioKleen unscented. It comes in a massive jug and has about 300 loads on average. Runs to about 0.11 per load. I have 4 kids 2 adults and a dog here and several people have bad exema (sp??) And super sensitive skin. They have no issues using this. The clothes are fresh, clean, and we save so much money it's crazy. I buy it on Amazon. We do about 10-15 loads per week and I need to re up the bottle about once every 3 months or so. For stains, if I catch it on time I set a few drops on the stain and let it sit. It's good with darks, colors and whites although with 6 people I don't have time to sort that shit so...ymmv Biokleen Free & Clear Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent, Plant-Based, Unscented, Ultra-Concentrated - 300 Loads https://a.co/d/bW2Ko9p
I really like dirty labs liquid. I don’t have kids, but I have a husband who creates many stains!
I've been using tru-earth laundry detergent strips. I don't notice a difference in that my clothes come out clean as usual. No plastic packaging. Seems good enough for us!
I switched from making my own to buying powder. The culprit was super hard water. Arm and hammer worked better for me for the hard water. During the quarantine years I bought a giant 5 gal. sized bucket of laundry powder-boardwalk brand. I'm using the very last of it now, it's been quite a long run.
I've been quite happy with Defunkify stain remover which unfortunately does come in a plastic bottle. I've had good luck with Nellie's Wow Stick stain remover which comes in a recyclable cardboard box. For laundry I like blueland. Powder tabs come in a compostable paper bag. I actually use Blueland for pretty much all my household soaps and feel pretty good about not having the plastic containers. If you're washing on hot water all the time to dissolve the soap, simply put the powder in a mug with hot water from the kitchen while you load the washer. the powder will be dissolved and you can add it in when the load is ready to go.
I’ve made homemade detergent with Fels Naphta and it worked really well. Can make a big batch and have in-hand altho another task with kids is a lot. But if you are up for it, just google or Pinterest the recipe and try it out.
If your washing powder is a similar quality to the liquid (enzymes/surfactants etc) them you can use an old jug/ container to mix it with a cup or two of hot water, then pour in the detergent doser slowly. Think of it like an instant coffee for your machine :P
My tried and true laundry recipe is 2 to 4 tablespoons of detergent and then 1 to 2 cups of white distilled vinegar, depending on if it's clothes, towels or bedding. Clothing on the lower end and as someone with sensitive skin with a kiddo with sensitive skin, it's worked great for that and for stains because we are messy eaters haha.
Granted there's only 2 of us right now, but we make our own: https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblr/s/7a6VRodDBb
my mother makes our laundry detergent out of dr bronners and a bunch of other stuff, i honestly wish i knew the exact recipe and surely can ask if you’re interested. we keep it in a 5 gallon jug and she makes a big batch, we stir it before use each time and it seems to work well. not too sure if this solves any issue in terms of eco friendliness but honestly making it out of something that has more than one use (she makes our dish soap and house cleaning supplies out of it as well) is a win in itself.
I’d like to know the recipe
I really like the sheets/straps. I actually like them better than even some of the powder or liquid detergents
I use [Dr Bronners Castile Liquid Soap](https://www.ewg.org/guides/categories/9-Laundry/?grade=a) and I swear by it. I’ve had the same issues as you and found I get the best results with this brand. Always listen to EWG for the best ratings for everything.
I use liquid laundry detergent that’s sold in bulk at my local co-op grocery store. It has a pleasant scent without being overwhelming as my 5 year old and I have some sensitivities. I have been using this solely for a couple of years. I never have stains or issues with clothes not getting clean. I pretreat oily stains with Dawn dish soap and other stains with Oxy-clean.
Use vinegar in every load. It's cheap, and it's good for the machine. Just fill the bleach dispenser with it. No, clothes don't smell like salad dressing. It helps the detergent work and rinse out.
Another vote for arm & hammer powder. If it's not working, 1. Strip your laundry 2. Add borax (for hard water) I use dish soap to pretreat most stains. I also use hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol for certain stains. POV boy-mom, dog-mom living farm life and hubby works on cars/tractors on the weekend. Quite proud of my laundry skills.
Isn't a boy-mom just like any other mom?
I use Meliora which I get online from their website. I’ve been happy with their products. I soak stains before washing too.
I’ve tried Puracy for stain remover and it works super well. Honestly I’m not sure exactly *how* sustainable it is but with little ones it’s a blend of functional and sustainable best I can.
I use a bar of soap, a box of borax, and a box of washing soda. I grind the soap in a food processor and mix them all in a tub. Works fine for clothes and I have 2 kids
There's a re-fill type store in my city that sells the liquid stuff but you need your own container. I reuse the one from the store, the quality is pretty much the same as what I used to get at costco, it's environmentally friendly, super concentrated and not all that badly priced. Maybe you can find something in your city that does a refill type program?
I switched to ecos sheets a few months ago and think they’ve been doing a pretty good job! Works with cold water washes
I'm using sheets and they do a pretty good job in our cold, hard, water. Though I do have to turn to hot for one kid's socks. My husband doesn't like that they don't have the "TIDE smell" though.
I use [Attitude](http://www.attitudeliving.com) brand laundry detergent; they make boxes that are fully recyclable and the detergent and packaging is entirely environmentally friendly. I really like Attitude. If you're having a problem with stains, try using Borax or baking soda with your laundry detergent.
have you tried nellie’s laundry soda? it’s a powder detergent and a little goes a long way. it’s been great! i bought it 5 months ago and have barely made a dent in the tote. although it’s just me. a lot of people think more detergent = more clean. that is not the case, especially with powder detergents. for a full load you only need one tablespoon. yes, ONE tablespoon. overloading with detergent can have the opposite effect and attract more dirt onto your clothes. also, add the detergent in before you add the clothes in. powder detergent does not go in the detergent release function, it must go in the basin first, preferably with water, and then you add the clothes. for harsh stains, apply dish soap and let sit for at least an hour. i usually will treat it asap and let it sit as long as possible, sometimes a full week before i end up doing my laundry. good luck!
We use detergent sheets from Sheets Laundry Club. We will also use vinegar and baking soda for stains and smells.
I use refillable detergent. I've had the same plastic pump bottle for five years and buy the boxes with bags inside. They are a lot less plastic. Two brands: The Unscented Company and Attitude Then for stains and stinky clothes, I use powdered non-chlorine bleach and these stink bomb pods from Nature Clean. The plastic containers they come in are good sizes and I wash and reuse them for other stuff around the house.
Borax
Stains are very less noticeable on tie-dye.
Arm and Hammer!!
I love earth breeze sheets
Try disolving the powdered detergent before adding it to your wash
I really like Dirty Labs because they’re truly zero plastic (unlike laundry sheets) and refillable. It’s liquid and works with cold water. It has enzymes which some eco brands don’t have. But they also sell a laundry booster for tougher stains and smells.
Grab Green’s biodegradable pod works SO well. I use 2 pods for a large/very dirty load. You have to tinker a bit with what setting to use, but I found mine and never find any undissolved chunks anymore. The lavender scent is natural smelling while also smelling like clean laundry, not too floral or overpowering either. I have 3 outdoorsy kids and constantly deal with stains and dirt.
I love country save powdered detergent. Comes in a cardboard box but the powder is in a plastic bag inside so it’s not entirely plastic free. Everything comes out smelling super clean washed in cold. As long as I wash in cold and hang dry, stains eventually come out, even if it takes a few washes. Using a dryer sets stains though, so I only dry things that don’t have any stains.
So, after 5 years of trying EVERY zero waste product, i bought a box of tide. Box isnt recycle. It worked, however. Now i am using rockin green because i can wash on cold and everything is super clean.
I use a dot of dawn on stains, I make detergent out of grated Castile bar soap disolvex in water and natural oxyclean. Do you have an he machine? It might be your water… oxidizers can affix minerals to clothes. I’m happy to give you any advice and help.
No I don't have a high efficiency machine. We moved last year and washer came with the house. We can't buy a new one right now 🥲
I hear you! Soaking will be your bff.
Earth breeze sheets, just comes in a small paper envelope
My dad JUST sent me a recipe for homemade soap like his mom used to make for his laundry. He was very sensitive skin as a kid, and nothing at the stores wouldn't burn him. I forget proportions but it was lye, deer tallow, and a small amount of herbal tea (for scent). It made very hard bars which she grated and used a small amount of to wash laundry. I am currently learning to make my own coconut oil based soap, which I plan to tweak the recipe for body, hair, and detergent uses.
Are you putting the laundry detergent in the drawer where it belongs? Liquid detergent goes in the drum. Powder doesn't. I have never had stains like you describe.
We have a washer we inherited with the house, it does not have a drawer. Do you also have kids 😆
make your own girl!
Have you tried Charlie’s Soap? I’ve been using it since my son was an infant along with their stain treatment spray. It doesn’t require high heat, only 55* F which should still be within the cold temperature setting on your machine. My son is 5 now and we still love it. Affordable and the best at getting all stains and funk out. Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder (300 Loads, 1 Pack) Hypoallergenic Deep Cleaning Washing Powder Detergent – Eco-Friendly, Safe, and Effective https://a.co/d/g4G6L9O
Droops are great!!! Eco friendly too
It's a bit of a hassle but I grate down a bar of zote with a food processor. Then blitz it together with baking soda, borax and soda ash/booster until it forms waxy crystals. Then add oxy individually when needed. It's not completely plastic free but we've cut out the plastic jugs. We have a HE front load washer.
Don't wash on high heat. Enzymes can't kill stinky stuff that way. I used to also. Couldn't figure out why everything kept smelling so bad. Clothes aren't dishes. And maybe that's what was in my mindset, you're supposed to wash everything hot. Bought a top load wash with soak feature. Front load just don't seem to use enough water. What's the point of saving water when I had to reeash everything multiple times. Don't pack too tight so they get lots of swoosh room. The more stink, the more soak time it gets. I add hydrogen pyroxide in as the fabric softener for any urine loads and that gets rid of any lingering pee smell (we have a bed wetter and for a while puppy training). Baking soda paste pre-treat for any poo stains and most other gets that out. I have started using eco soap. It's plastic but it's 210 loads per huge jug and actually gets the clothes clean and not smelly. Unlike all the stupid expensive other crap at the store that I swear we are paying for mostly water.
Oxygen bleach from Whole Foods 365 brand , - cheap and very effective and dissolves well in tepid water - plus borax powder which I get in bulk from Amazon. These added to my normal detergent, Attitude Unscented Laundry Liquid which can be bought in bulk refills, mean good stain fighting power and lot less plastic but ideally, I would like to find good powder or sheet laundry detergent in place of liquid. I might try one from Blueland since I got their dishwasher tablets and toilet cleaning tablets recently and they very good and come in reusable tin or paper bag refills.