Cleaning up the environment is a big task, but one place you can start to have a big impact is with another kind of cleaning: laundry. Laundry detergent comes in three main forms: liquid, powder, and pods. Each has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of practicality and cost, as well as environmental factors to consider.
Checking Safer Choice Label Let’s start with Safer Choice. Safer Choice is an EPA program that screens all chemical ingredients in products against standards for low environmental and toxicological impact. You can find out if a particular product meets the standards by visiting the EPA website. EPA website.
But the impact of detergents goes beyond just the chemicals they contain: the form, price and packaging of the detergent are also factors to consider.
Powder detergent
Powdered detergents are generally inexpensive and sold in recyclable packaging, usually a cardboard box or plastic container.
Powder detergents have some drawbacks. If they are not completely washed out of your clothes by the end of the wash, they can cause damage to your clothes. Leaves a residue Or stains on clothes. Some powder detergents don’t dissolve completely in cold water, especially if you use more detergent than necessary.
Using too much powder detergent can leave chemical residue on your clothes and produce wastewater when washing.
Liquid detergent
Liquid detergents are more popular than powder detergents and are less likely to leave residue on clothes, but there are other things to keep in mind.
Liquid detergent usually comes in a plastic bottle. Even if there’s no detergent left on your clothes, the inside of the bottle is a different matter. If you don’t rinse the remaining detergent out of the bottle, Contaminate other materials You could throw it in the recycling bin, or worse, end up with a truckload of recyclables.
We recommend rinsing any excess product off the container before placing it in your recycling bin.
Recently, a reader Oasis Biocompatible Laundry Detergentand we were impressed. Oasis stands out with its focus on both environmental impact and biocompatibility with ecosystems. Unlike most conventional cleaners, Oasis is specifically designed to be safe for use in grey water systems, an important feature for anyone looking to reuse water for landscape irrigation, making it especially beneficial in areas where water conservation is a priority.
Oasis cleaners also contain no toxic ingredients that can harm soil or plants, and are biodegradable, making them a great choice for anyone with a septic system. The formula avoids harsh chemicals like phosphates, which are known to cause water pollution and algae blooms in aquatic environments. Instead, they use a plant-based formula that prioritizes both cleaning effectiveness and minimal disruption to ecosystems.
Detergent pods
Detergent pods (also called packs) are the latest form of laundry detergent.
Liquid detergent gel pouches have the advantage that they are pre-measured, so you always get the right amount of detergent for each load of laundry. Plus, because the liquid is sealed in the gel pouch, the inside of the plastic bottle or container stays mostly clean – the gel breaks down during the wash and washes away down the drain.
But the downside is the pod packaging: some brands wrap these packs individually in plastic packaging, adding to the amount of plastic waste. Ideally, this should be recyclable, but often it isn’t.
Packaging Considerations
Whatever your situation, it’s important to know what sizes, shapes, and types of packaging your local recycling service will accept. This planning is a key part of precycling, the process of avoiding waste before it’s generated.
For example, some recycling services only accept plastics of certain shapes and sizes for recycling, so before you buy a big plastic container of powdered detergent or a travel bottle of liquid detergent, check to see if your packaging fits within their size and shape restrictions.
Is your local recycler not currently accepting any plastic? Consider buying detergent powder in a cardboard box. Cardboard is generally eligible for recycling, but be sure to flatten the box to remove all detergent residue.
Detergent pods that are individually wrapped in plastic or detergent that comes in plastic zip-lock bags can be a problem. Plastic film often causes problems with recycling equipment, so they may not be accepted in curbside recycling. Check with your local recycling service before putting them in your bin.
If your recycling service won’t accept your detergent packaging, choose one that is recyclable. Most brands offer detergent in a variety of formats and packaging.
Homemade detergent
Making your own laundry detergent can save you money and reduce packaging waste.
A DIY approach allows you to know exactly what ingredients you’re using, helping you avoid unfamiliar chemicals. If you’d like to give DIY detergent a try, this handy guide will show you how to make your own powdered laundry detergent with just four ingredients.
Editor’s note: This article was first published on February 26, 2020 and updated in September 2024.
