A List of 9 Earth Friendly Zero Waste Laundry Strips

Choosing to use zero waste laundry strips is a great step to reducing your plastic use and producing less waste. Only about 30% of plastic laundry jugs are recycled, meaning the rest end up in landfills, trashing the planet. What’s more, these plastic jugs of laundry detergent can take up 500 years to decompose never mind the microplastics they release into our environment in the meantime. I don’t know about you, but I want to try to stop contributing to this waste if I can.

Picking zero waste laundry strips is an easy swap that can reduce your plastic use and plastic contribution over traditional liquid detergent. We want that eco-friendly cleaning power with reduced plastic waste!

And really quick: if you’re wondering what zero waste even means, we’ve got you! The idea of going zero waste is to encourage the consumer to not just reduce/reuse/recycle but to prevent unnecessary creation of resources. The goal is to send no trash to landfills, the oceans, or incinerators and reduce the consequential pollution of these three things.

What makes a laundry strip zero waste?

Laundry strips are zero waste because they dissolve completely into the water, and the packaging they come in contains no plastic. The cardboard packaging is either recyclable or compostable, so the product never enters the landfill. These simple swaps are some of the best ways to lessen our impact on the environment.

What else do you need to know?

If you’ve never used one, they are a pre-measured strip of detergent. You can use a half a strip for a small load and a full strip for a large load. All you have to do is tear one off and drop it in a wash cycle. I would still recommend using a stain remover on tough stains (they typically need to be pre-treated either way). They most usually work in a front load or top load washer. Check each product description on their websites if you’re not sure.

And as with all cleaners, keep out of the reach of children.

Why are laundry strips better for the environment?

Traditional laundry detergent is 60-90% water, which is both inefficient and wasteful. Not to mention traditional detergents often contain harsh or harmful chemicals that irritate skin and pollute the waterway as they runoff. 

We already mentioned that only 30% of traditional plastic laundry jugs get recycled, which means they’re ending up in landfills or floating in our oceans. 

Scientists have found microplastics in our blood and even in unborn babies, so any plastic we can prevent is best and much kinder for our people and our planet. They have to be made differently than liquids so they often avoid harmful ingredients in traditional laundry detergents to give you clean clothes. You’ll see more simple ingredients with natural ingredients that are safe for even the most sensitive skin.

Many of these zero waste companies also make an effort to reduce carbon emissions, further helping our planet. 

Also, these laundry detergent strips and pods are lighter in weight, which means less transportation pollution. 

Are all zero waste laundry strips created equally?

There will always be outliers of lesser quality products but for the most part, zero waste laundry strips are pretty great. However, when searching for the best zero waste laundry strips you’ll want to consider price, packaging, and product (the ingredients).

When it comes to packaging, in order to be zero-waste it should be both plastic-free and compostable (or at least recyclable). This also means that the companies should ship plastic-free as well. 

Ingredient-wise, you’ll want to look for certain “free” items. As in, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and sulfate-free. Those are harsh chemicals that are harmful to your body and the earth. It’s best to find products that have organic ingredients, but at a minimum you’ll want to avoid synthetic fragrance and those parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.

And finally, price. This is more for our wallets but depending on if you have different types of washing machines, or if you have heavier, more soiled loads, certain laundry sheets may work better than others to get the job done.

Why should we use them?

Simply put, they’re simple! Not only are laundry detergent sheets more efficient for the cost, they are free of harmful chemicals, plastic-free, and take up less physical space than the traditional plastic jugs.

These companies that care about the environmental impact enough to create such products are also giving back however they can, from reducing their waste or carbon footprint to donating to programs that further help the environment and our communities.

Another thing is that they take up less space to store so are great for small laundry rooms and good for travel too.

The Big Question: Are Zero Waste Laundry Strips a Cheaper Option?

Zero Waste Laundry Strips can actually be a pretty cost-effective option in the long run. While the upfront cost might seem a bit higher compared to traditional detergent, you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck. Since the strips are super concentrated, you end up using less product per load, which means each strip lasts longer.

Plus, since they’re lightweight and compact, they’re easier and cheaper to ship, which can help offset the initial cost. So, while you might pay a bit more upfront, you’re likely to save money in the long term. And, you’re doing your part to reduce plastic waste, which is a win-win in my book!

The only thing to consider is if your zero waste laundry strips are cheaper than powder detergent. Depending on the brand you use, it might be better to go with a powder but most powders don’t come in zero waste packaging so that’s something to consider.

This post may contain commissionable links. Thank you for supporting this resource.

9 Zero Waste Laundry Strips To Try

1.  Earth Breeze

Earth Breeze is committed to making a big impact with small actions. That’s why their products are zero waste and every sale helps fund ocean clean ups and tree plantings. They want to make the world a better place!

Their laundry detergent sheets are free of parabens, vegan and cruelty free, and also free of phthalates, phosphates, bleach, and dye. They’re also hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.

The sheets work in HE machines, help lower your carbon footprint, have plastic-free packaging, and 10 loads are donated with each sale. 

These plastic-free laundry sheets are available in either fresh linen scent or fragrance free, and can wash up to 60 loads for $20. There is also a subscription option to save 40%.

This is also a top natural baby laundry detergent strip!

2. Net Zero

Net Zero has a mission to stop literal plastic consumption–did you know we consume up to a credit card worth of micro plastics per week? The plastic that harms our planet also harms our bodies and Net Zero aims to offer plastic-free, reusable products designed to last.

The Net Zero laundry strips are available in fresh breeze or fragrance-free packs, and each package can wash 32 loads.

Originally 17.99 a pack, they are now available for 14.99 and orders from Net Zero of over $80 receive shipping. There is also a 64-sheet pack available for $27.99 A single strip of detergent can wash an entire load! Talk about efficient and powerful.

3. The Unscented Co

The Unscented Co. is a company making zero waste laundry tabs that dissolve in water and are good for the planet. Every time you buy these laundry tabs, you take out a plastic bottle from circulation—it’s another step towards eliminating single-use plastics with each tab preventing waste.

These tabs are unscented (see the company name!) and are offered in bulk. The tabs are biodegradable and wrapped in a biodegradable wrapper, contained inside a cardboard box. A 300-count box costs $105 and each tab can wash a load of laundry. That’s $0.35 per load! The Unscented Co never tests on animals and their products are dye and fragrance free.

4. Eco Living Club

Eco Living Club is a Canadian company that is serious about reducing our human impact on the Earth, starting by drastically reducing the carbon footprint of laundry.

Their eco-friendly laundry strips are 100% biodegradable and plastic-free. They can be used in hot or cold water, they’re free of phosphates, dyes, bleach and brighteners, and not only are they certified vegan and cruelty-free, but they are also certified hypoallergenic!

They recommend their sheets be stored in an airtight container, and even offer to recycle your plastic bags and offer a discount off of a future purchase  if you mail your plastic bags to them. Each pack washes 40 loads and there is a package-free bulk option that covers 500 loads! A single pack of 40 sheets is $14 and are available as unscented detergent sheets or “spring scent” sheets. There is also a subscription option to save 20%.

5. Zero Waste Laundry Detergent from EcoRoots

Introducing EcoRoots’ Zero Waste Laundry Detergent, the eco-friendly solution to cleaner clothes and a cleaner planet! Their detergent is specially formulated with plant-based ingredients that are tough on stains yet gentle on fabrics and the environment.

Each package of Zero Waste Laundry Detergent is completely plastic-free and comes in a compostable, recyclable paper bag, reducing waste and minimizing your carbon footprint. The concentrated formula means you only need a small amount per load, making it long-lasting and cost-effective.

Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances – their detergent is free from sulfates, parabens, phosphates, and artificial dyes, making it safe for you, your family, and the planet. Plus, it is cruelty-free and never tested on animals.

6. Cleancult

Cleancult Zero Waste Laundry Sheets are a game-changer for eco-conscious laundry lovers! These innovative sheets are packed with powerful plant-based cleaning ingredients, making them tough on stains and gentle on fabrics.

And don’t worry about sacrificing cleanliness for sustainability – these sheets deliver a deep clean without any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. They’re also cruelty-free and never tested on animals, so you can feel good about the impact you’re making.

They come in 3 scents and are $13.28 on Amazon for 60 loads. You can also subscribe and save for an extra discount.

7. Laundry Detergent Sheets From Zero Waste Store

Their ingredients are extremely simple (just Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (plant-derived cleaning agent), Fatty Alcohol Polyglycol Ether (biodegradable grease remover), Polyvinyl Alcohol (biodegradable polymer), Deionized Water). The sheets come in a fresh linen scent or can be purchased unscented.

They’re about $15.99 for 60 loads but you can get an ever bigger discount if you buy in bulk.

8. Nature First Soap Berries

This zero waste laundry detergent option is unlike any others that we’ve covered so far in this article. Nature First Soap Berries are a laundry pod made with wild-harvested soap berries (sometimes called soap nuts). These pods are vegan and cruelty-free, fragrance-free, as well as paraben-free and sustainably manufactured in USA.

The soapberry laundry detergent pods are shipped plastic-free in compostable packaging. A 30-pack costs $11.99 and will wash 30 loads. That’s $0.39 per load!

9. ECOS

Ecos is a company that has been working for over 50 years to create products that are better for our homes and our environment. Their products are made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. They use zero harsh chemicals, and instead are vegan and hypoallergenic. 

Their sheets are available in three scents: Lavender Vanilla, Magnolia & Lily, and Free & Clear and each box contains 57 sheets. That is 57 loads of laundry for a total of $24 (or $22 if you subscribe). You’re looking at about $0.21 per load!

Would You Try Zero Waste Laundry Strips?

As you can see there are many zero waste laundry strips options available! So many companies now are producing better-for-us and better-for-the-plant laundry products. Which ones will you try first for your new plastic-free laundry routine?!

About the Author

---