This pack of 64 laundry detergent sheets is an alternative to plastic bottles of laundry liquid or bulky boxes of powder. Made with plant-based biodegradable ingredients, just place a sheet (or two for large loads) in the drum. Works out at 10p a wash (20p for large loads). The ‘scented version’ is from flax plants, with the company listing all ingredients (with plain English translation).
Choose unscented laundry brands for pregnancy/nursing, babies and pet bedding (citrus is toxic to pets). Bio-D & Green Scents both offer unscented options. Laundry synthetic fibres in a microplastic catcher).
When laundering clothes, check labels and wash non-fast coloured and whites separately. For stubborn stains, use oxygen bleach (harmless to aquatics, unlike chlorine bleach).
To wash clothes properly, you’ll need some kind of detergent. So here is a better brand. Most detergents contain non-biodegradable ingredients (that harm aquatic life), blue-hued optical brighteners (to give the illusion of ‘whites whiter than white’ and too many essential oils (in higher concentrations, these can also harm aquatic life, which is why you should never pour them down drains).
Are Laundry Detergents Tested on Animals?
This brand isn’t. But although EU law (when we were in the EU) stopped the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, this does not apply to household goods (or paint or medicines).
You’ll find all the major brands have words on their website like ‘we don’t test on animals – and then tend to add something like ‘unless there is an alternative’ or ‘what is required by law’. Of course, companies like Bio-D show there is no need. And if the big brands really were free from animal testing, one wonders why they don’t apply to be certified by the Compassionate Shopping Guide? Or at least make it very clear on policy, rather than ambiguous wording.
Bazoo liquidless eco laundry detergent sheets (enter code at checkout for £10 off) dissolve rapidly in warm or cold water, and are suitable for hand-washing or machines, and work well with septic and greywater systems. While most liquid detergents are watered down, these are concentrated and packed in cardboard with biodegradable ink. Choose fragrance free version, to avoid synthetic fragrance oil.
Soda Crystals (wear protective gloves, can cause eye irritation) are good. To clean smelly washing machines, run a hot wash (with no clothes), adding 500g to 750g of soda crystals to the dispenser. To boost laundry (and soften water), add 2 tablespoons of soda crystals to the dispenser.
