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The best plastic-free laundry detergent & supplies
Detergent jugs are big plastic, and the trendy “dissolvable” sheets and pods are a plastic film (PVA/PVOH) that just goes invisible in your water, not away. We're strict about that here.
What to look out for: Powder or bars in cardboard/metal; wool dryer balls — note that PVA/PVOH “plastic-free” sheets don't qualify.
Quick answer: Our top pick for plastic-free laundry detergent & supplies is the Blueland Oxi Laundry Booster Starter Set (Forever Tin + 500g) ($18.00). Best on a budget: the Fels-Naptha Heavy Duty Laundry Bar Soap & Stain Remover (5oz) ($6.78). Most-reviewed: the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls (6-Pack) (40,000 reviews).
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Common questions
Are dissolvable laundry sheets plastic-free?
No — the sheet is PVA/PVOH, a plastic film that dissolves out of sight into the water rather than disappearing. We exclude them, which puts us at odds with a lot of “eco” marketing.
Do wool dryer balls replace dryer sheets?
Yes — they cut static and drying time with no coating, and last for years. Dryer sheets are single-use synthetic fabric with a chemical film.
What about the microplastics my clothes shed in the wash?
Detergent can't fix that — the fix is fewer synthetic fabrics and a microfiber-catching wash bag for the ones you keep. It pairs naturally with everything else on this page.
17 vetted plastic-free laundry detergent & supplies
Oxi Laundry Booster Starter Set (Forever Tin + 500g)
A chlorine-free oxygen booster that brightens whites and lifts stains, scooped from a refillable tin-coated steel canister with a clever portioning lid.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
The Simplest Laundry Detergent
Package Free's house powder detergent with a short, pronounceable ingredient list and zero plastic packaging.
Why we trust it · 1 independent source
All Natural Laundry Detergent Powder (120 Loads, Peppermint)
A five-ingredient laundry powder in a paper bag, gentle enough for sensitive skin and tough enough for family laundry.
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Laundry Soda (50 Loads, Fragrance-Free)
Four simple ingredients in a cheerful recyclable tin - a low-sudsing powder that rinses clean in any machine.
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Eco Dryer Balls (4-Pack)
Hand-felted 100% wool dryer balls made by fair-trade artisans, often with adorable designs.
Note: price estimated; linked to collection page
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Laundry Detergent Tablets Starter Set
Press one dry tablet into the machine per load — no jug, no mess, no measuring.
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Laundry Powder Detergent (64 Loads, Plastic-Free)
A four-ingredient laundry powder made in Chicago, packed in a paper-and-steel canister with a steel scoop.
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Laundry Bar Concentrate (Makes 128+ Loads)
A zero-waste concentrate bar you dissolve in water to make your own gallon of liquid detergent - no jug, no film, no fragrance.
Why we trust it · 3 independent sources
Wool Dryer Balls (6-Pack)
The original best-selling wool dryer ball six-pack, holding its shape after years of loads.
Note: price estimated; linked to brand homepage
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Laundry Powder (50 Loads, Fragrance-Free)
A biodegradable deep-cleaning powder that leaves zero residue - beloved by cloth-diapering parents and people with sensitive skin since 1976.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack XL
Six extra-large handmade dryer balls made of 100% New Zealand wool with no fillers or synthetic cores, packed in a cardboard box.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster (48 Loads)
A hyper-concentrated enzyme powder that you add alongside any detergent to lift set-in stains, pit marks, and stubborn odors — even in cold water.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
All-Natural Stain Remover Stick
A biodegradable soap stick from Ontario that scrubs out grass, wine, and grease stains.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Soap Stick for Stains
A push-up paper tube of concentrated stain soap from the same trusted Chicago maker as the laundry powder.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Heavy Duty Laundry Bar Soap & Stain Remover (5oz)
The century-old paper-wrapped stain bar your grandmother swore by - rub it on collars, grass, and grease before the wash.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder & Booster (55 Loads)
An EWG Verified, fragrance-free powder that cleans with bio-enzymes and is gentle enough for eczema-prone skin.
Why we trust it · 2 independent sources
Organic De-seeded Soap Berries, 3 lbs with 2 Wash Bags
Whole dried soap nuts that release natural saponins in the wash - the original compostable detergent, straight from the tree.