Go Green : 15 Best Zero Waste Laundry Detergent

Zero waste laundry detergents are the best options to go for if you are concerned about your environment. 

These environment-friendly detergents help protect the environment and do not cause harm to the environment like chemical-based ones. 

Zero waste detergents are also healthy options as they are free from dangerous compounds that affect one’s health. 

What Are Zero Waste Detergents?

Zero waste detergents are cleaning products that create zero waste. Living a zero-waste lifestyle means re-using products as much as you can. 

This ensures that nothing is left in landfills because items are re-used, composted, or recycled. 

When it comes to zero waste detergents, what we look at are their ingredients, if they are biodegradable, and their packaging so that havoc on the earth and ocean will be avoided. 

Advantages of Using Zero Waste Laundry Detergents

A lot of laundry detergents are made with ingredients or elements that are non-biodegradable like petrochemicals. These destroy our environment because they can’t be broken down thereby causing waste and pollution. 

Another disadvantage of petrochemicals is the damage caused to the earth and environment during mining. Then these petrochemicals are unhealthy when they come in contact with our skin or enter our bodies. 

Also, these chemicals leave toxic residues on your clothes after washing and this can cause skin problems/irritations. Nobody wants that, that is why we’ve put together this post to show you better and healthier alternatives. 

Best Zero Waste Laundry Detergents

We’ve gone through the stress of getting the best zero waste detergents for you. 

It is safe to use them in standard and high-efficiency washing machines and you can also use them in both hot and cold water. The ones on our lists are also biodegradable. 

1. Tru earth package free eco-strips laundry detergent 

This product is vegan, certified, hypoallergenic, and awesome for people with sensitive skin. It saves space and it is portable and convenient. 

It is free from paraben, cruelty-free, and comes in unscented and scented versions (fresh linen). This detergent is clutter-free and highly efficient. 

400 loads of these strips consume the same amount of space as a 100 load jug of traditional detergent. They are pre-measured and do not create any mess. 

The reviews on this product are also good. You can get this product on Amazon.

2. Breezo plastic-free laundry detergent strips 

This product saves space, has a fresh linen scent, is portable and convenient, and also vegan and cruelty-free. 

It is also easy to use. These strips are packed in a recyclable box that is made from plant-derived ingredients. 

These ingredients are free from parabens, chlorine bleach, dyes, and artificial brighteners. Buyers left amazing reviews but some say the scent does not smell like linen. 

3. Bestowed essentials eco-friendly laundry stain remover stick 

If you are looking for a zero waste detergent free of bleach stain, then get this. It is a natural and great stain removal, it is vegan, cruelty-free, package-free, and free from dangerous chemicals like sulfates, bleach, and parabens. 

If you use natural products that give you mysterious stains out of nowhere and you are tired of that, you should try this. All you have to do is dampen the fabric and rub the stick on the stain/affected area to remove the stain. 

It is safe as it doesn’t cause skin irritations, and it eliminates a wide variety of stains like wine, chocolate, olive oil, and grass. The reviews are amazing but some users noted that it works best on fresh stains. 

4. Elva’s all natural 

This is one of the best zero waste laundry detergents you can find. You just need a little to do a lot of laundries and your clothes will come out sparkling clean and smelling nice. 

The organic lavender essential oils will make your bedsheets smell like heaven. 

All the ingredients are 100% biodegradable, septic safe, and made with biodynamic plant extracts and herbs. This product is certified and free from phosphates, artificial colors, chemicals, palm oil, brightening chemicals, sulfates, leaching, and zeolite. 

It is safe and perfect for people with sensitive skin. It is also vegan, cruelty and gluten-free. 

5. Net zero co. 

Laundry detergent strips are quite new to the market and this is one of the best you will find. You use this the same way as you use a liquid detergent. 

Toss the strip into the machine, start it, and that’s all. Your clothes will be cleaned in few minutes. These strips dissolve well in both hot and cold water and they work well in all types of washing machines. 

Your whites will be pristine and your colored clothes vibrant when you use this product. Net zero co. has the scented and the unscented version. 

All the ingredients are natural and the product is free from dyes, 1,4 dioxine, bleach, and parabens. The product is also biodegradable and vegan. 

These strips come in compostable packaging and people with sensitive skin can use them. It is also shipped in plastic-free packaging and the mailers are made with cornstarch, soy ink, and other compostable plant materials. 

6. The unscented co. 

There are many good things about this company. All their cleaning products are natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and refillable. 

Their zero waste laundry detergent is vegan and plastic-free. People with sensitive skin can use this product because it is safe. It works well in cold water and for colored clothes. 

Their laundry tabs are free from dye and fragrance and they make your clothes soft. It is efficient in high-efficiency washing machines. They will keep your clothes clean and fresh. 

This zero-waste laundry detergent is biodegradable and made with plant-based ingredients. It is hypoallergenic and can be used for baby clothes and diapers and it is free from phosphates, fragrance, and dyes. 

The refill option will reduce your use of plastic bottles and prevent landfills. This company is certified by B Corp, and this means that they meet the highest standards of verified environmental and social performance. 

Zero Waste Laundry Detergents Bars

1. Tangie package free laundry soap washing detergent bar 

This amazing product is made of plant-based ingredients only: rosemary oleoresin, salt, oxalic acid, baking soda, yucca powder, soap nut liquid, olive oil, and coconut oil. 

This product is different from others on our list. The soap bar which is made of waste-free product comes in a powdered paste that has to be diluted before you can use it. 

This is a form of DIY project, it is easy and satisfying to make as you can create your own liquid zero waste laundry detergents with their ingredients. This product is also refillable. 

You simply make use of a bottle you already have at home, make the zero waster liquid laundry detergent and refill it once the one you are using runs out. 

Many buyers left positive reviews and love the product because it lasts long, it’s sustainable and refillable. However, some buyers said it doesn’t take the smell off their clothes. 

2. Eco nuts natural environment-friendly laundry soapberries 

This amazing product is made from dried berries from trees in the Himalayas. It releases saponin, a natural cleansing agent when agitated in water. 

It is easy to use and portable, you can reuse it for up to 10 loads of laundry. Eco nuts can be used as both a softener and a detergent. Free of plastics, this soapberry cleans your clothes gently. 

This product is worth a try and you can see the reviews here. 

Zero Waste Laundry Detergents Tablets

1. Blueland zero waste laundry detergent tablets 

These friendly laundry detergent tablets are packed in a refillable steel tin and are not wrapped individually in plastics. They work well in standard and high-efficiency washing machines. 

It has no allergens and the ingredients are 100% natural. You can get a starter set from Blueland as a standalone product or as part of a wide range of eco-friendly cleaning products. 

They have hand wash and dishwasher detergent tablets. A pack of this product contains 40 tablets and the company does not use any PVA-based plastic film that forms dissolved plastics in your wastewater. 

It is a fragrance-free product, contains no allergens, and is perfect for people with allergies or sensitive skin. The refill service is a package-free detergent option.

Using this product will help you eliminate PVA from your environment thereby reducing wastes and pollution. The reviews about this product are amazing and buyers are happy with the effectiveness of this detergent. 

2. Seventh generation zero plastic laundry detergent 

This eco-friendly product has no dyes, plastics, fragrances, or optical brighteners that harm the environment and the user’s health. 

It is fully biodegradable, cruelty-free, and contains no animal ingredients. It has plastic-free packaging, hypoallergenic, and it’s free from triclosan and sulfate. 

These tablets are dry-locked. This means that you use water to activate them. The tablets come in recyclable steel tin that is refillable. 

People with sensitive skins and allergies can use this product without any problem. It is also suitable for use in septic and greywater system. 

The reviews on this product are good although some are not positive. 

3. Cleancult sustainable laundry tablets 

This product is a 100% plastic-free tablet and the refill comes in 100% recyclable papers. It is portable and convenient, fragrance and cruelty-free, and made with biodegradable ingredients. 

You can even travel with them and these tables are good for everyday use. This amazing detergent is packed in small tablets that are filled with washing powder. 

This company lists all the ingredients on their website and states the purpose. The reviews about this product are also amazing.

Zero Waste Laundry Detergents Pods

1. Dropps biodegradable zero waste laundry detergent pods 

This product is one of the best for people with sensitive skin as it has no dyes, enzymes, or chlorine. It is packed in 100% recyclable, compostable, and repurposable cardboard boxes. 

You can use this detergent on delicate fabrics. It is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and all the ingredients are gotten from plants. It is scented with botanical extracts and essential oils and it also has unscented versions. 

Dropps biodegradable zero waste laundry detergent is plastic and package free and they are pre-measured and mess-free. This product is made without nasty and dangerous chemicals like optical brighteners, enzymes, phosphates, and chlorine. 

It won’t make your garment shrink, fade, or stretch, thereby making it safe for delicate clothes. 

Many users left great reviews for this product. You can get this on Amazon.

2. Grab green no-plastic stoneworks laundry detergent pods 

This product is biodegradable and free from harsh and dangerous chemicals like phosphates and parabens. It is portable and convenient, EPA safer choice certified, vegan and cruelty-free.

It has unscented and scented versions. The scented versions come in rain, rose petal, olive leaf, and birch branch oak tree. 

Their recyclable packaging and non-toxic formula makes this product one of the best choices for people that want to go green and protect their environment. 

The reviews about this product are amazing but some customers complained that their scented versions are overpowering. 

Zero Waste Laundry Detergents Powder

1. Meliora eco plastic free laundry powder 

When you buy this product, 1% of every sale goes towards environmental protection. Only three biodegradable ingredients are used in the unscented versions. 

It is safe for septic tanks and it is a vegan product and free of animal cruelty. The scented version comes in two scents you can pick from: lemon and lavender. 

Meliora is simple, healthy, environment-friendly, and effective. It is free from dyes, synthetic fragrances, brighteners, and preservatives. 

It is suitable for hand washing clothes and has a low sudsing formula which is perfect for HE (high efficiency) machines but you can also use it in standard washing machines. 

The reviews about this product are good but some customers complained of the scented versions not scenting strong enough. One reviewer said the detergent doesn’t work well in cold water. 

2. Watkins environment-friendly laundry powder detergent 

If you are looking for a gentle product for baby clothes and people with sensitive skins, then get this. The low suds for high-efficiency washing machines softens fabrics, and it is unscented. 

It is free from phosphate and cruelty-free. This biodegradable zero waste laundry powder can be used in both hot and cold water. It is safe to use on colored clothes. 

This laundry detergent comes in a recyclable package and is a great alternative to non-recyclable bottles provided by commercial brands. 

It has wonderful reviews but some buyers complained of allergies. 

3. Planet ultra-eco-friendly powdered HE laundry detergent 

This product is made from 100% plants. The ingredients are rosemary oleoresin, salt, oxalic acid, baking soda, yucca powder, soap nuts liquid, coconut oil, and olive oil. 

It is unscented, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and the package is made of recyclable paper. The scoop is made from 10% recycled plastic. 

This detergent is sustainable and free from dyes, preservatives, and fragrances. It is suitable for people with sensitive skin and babies because it is hypoallergenic. 

The reviews on this amazing detergent are also encouraging. 

4. Nellie’s non-toxic vegan powdered zero waste laundry detergent 

This amazing product will leave your clothes feeling fresh, clean, and soft without leaving behind harsh chemicals or residues. It has only 4 biodegradable ingredients. 

It is highly concentrated, vegan, unscented, and cruelty-free. Also, it comes in an attractive vintage style packaging and “vegan” is also mentioned in the package title to attract vegetarians. 

Apart from the nice packaging, it is sustainable as it is made from metal that is extremely easy to reprocess and recyclable. This concentrated formula will give you more product for less when compared with other liquid detergents that are made up of 50% water. 

The reviews about this product are great but a user complained that it did poorly in removing blood stains from clothes. 

5. Bestowed essentials zero waste laundry powder 

If you are looking for vegan, kid-friendly, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free zero waste detergent, get this. It is made of only 4 plant ingredients and comes in a compostable bag paper bag and compostable interior lining. 

The ingredients are pacific sea salt, Epsom salt, baking soda, and washing soda. It is handmade and won’t fade your clothes. 

The reviews are great and the product is friendly on babies’ skin. 

Zero Waste Laundry Detergents Refill

1. Cleancult liquid zero waste laundry detergent refill 

This product is free of plastics and packaged in an eco-friendly container. It is fragrance-free and there are scented versions as well. 

It can work at low temperatures and has a coconut-based cleaning. Half ounce per wash makes this an excellent and sustainable laundry option. 

This liquid zero waste detergent is a healthy and perfect option for people who have sensitive skin. Also, people who want to avoid scents can use this. 

You can buy this with a re-fillable liquid laundry bottle and join the subscription service. 

Cleancult refills come in a recyclable carton that makes use of a plant-based cap for an efficient sustainable laundry option. 

A pack can offer 64 washes from 32 fluid ounce refill each. We can almost call this a package-free product. By switching to this product, an average family can cut their single use of plastic waste by 441 lbs a year. 

The scented version has three options to choose from; they are juniper and sandalwood, sea spray and aloe, and sweet honeysuckle. 

This company cleancult is concerned about the quality and sustainability of their ingredients. They said they have a heartfelt mission to protect the planet. 

All the reviews about this product on their site are amazing. There is not even a single negative review. You can also purchase this product on Amazon.

DIY Zero Waste Laundry Detergents

Ingredients

• Unscented castile soap bars in recyclable papers. 2 (4 oz.) 
• Any essential oil or oils of your choice. 20 to 30 drops, nice options you can go for are lavender and clementine. 
• Washing soda. Use 1.5 (7 lb) boxes of Arm & Hammer super washing soda sold in recyclable cardboard. 
• Baking soda bought in bulk or recyclable cardboard. 2 lbs 

These ingredients are all natural and safe. Even babies and people with sensitive skins can use them. Also, they are easy to make and completely free of chemicals. 

This DIY zero waste laundry detergent is also inexpensive to make. You can spend something like $0.02 per a load of laundry. 

Why We Like This Recipe 

• It doesn’t need too much to work, a tablespoon or two is enough for an average-size load of laundry. If you have a bucket of this detergent, it can last you for years. 
• It got an “A” rating on the EWG scale. This database determines how safe an ingredient or product is health-wise 
• It leaves your clothes feeling soft and smelling fresh. This is a better and healthier alternative to fabric softener. 
• It is naturally “low foaming”, which means you can use it in either high efficiency or standard washing machines. 
• It cleans clothes extremely well. You will love this DIY zero waste laundry detergent. 

Instructions 

1. Grate your bars of castile soap using a cheese grater or food processor 

2. Mix the grated soap with washing soda, baking soda, and essential oil. You can wear a mask so that you don’t inhale any dust from the mixture. 

3. Use 1 to 3 tablespoons per a load of laundry. This depends on the size and soil level. 

It will take up to 15 minutes to prepare this amazing green detergent. 

Important notes 

• Washing soda can be scarce and challenging to find. If you can’t find it in grocery stores, you can find it at online stores. Grocery stores put washing soda in their baking aisle, (near baking soda) or laundry aisle (next to detergents). 
• If you want to make it in large quantities, get a 5-gallon bucket and store it in. Put a portion for active use in a pretty storage jar. 
• Don’t use dryer sheets, if you must use something, make sure it’s wool dryer balls instead. 

Conclusion

We hope this list helps you go green and protect your health and environment. 

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