When it comes to starting your sustainable and eco-friendly journey, we at eveelife.com believe it all starts at home. From recycling to reducing energy consumption, there are countless ways to make your domestic routine kinder to the planet, but one area that is often overlooked is the laundry room.
The average American family, on average, washes about 300 loads of laundry every year. As a nation, that amount of washing really adds up. That’s why making the switch to zero waste laundry detergent can be a simple but impactful step toward a greener home and planet. Keep reading to explore why laundry products are such a problem and how you can make a clean change for the better.
Most commercial laundry detergents come in plastic containers, which contribute significantly to plastic waste. Most of these detergent bottles are made from high-density polyethylene, which is 100% recyclable. However, even if recycled, plastic can only be reprocessed a limited number of times before it ends up in a landfill. Sadly, for those die-hard recyclers out there, news reports have been coming out lately revealing major problems with plastic recycling in the United States. Additionally, many of these detergents contain harmful chemicals that can persist in the environment, posing threats to aquatic life and potentially contaminating water sources.
The best zero waste laundry detergents come in sustainable packaging and are often available in bulk, meaning you can refill your container and cut down on plastic waste. Since many of these eco-friendly detergents come in concentrate form, you end up using and wasting less, ultimately saving you money. Another great benefit of going zero waste is that you often support smaller, ethically minded companies dedicated to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
At eveelife.com, we’ve covered in depth several different options for eco-conscious shoppers looking to pursue zero waste lifestyles. Check out the Zero Waste Store, The Refill Shoppe, or find a brick-and-mortar shop near you using Litterless, a state-by-state directory of bulk and refillery stores. You’re bound to find a zero waste detergent that you’ll love.
Detergents and fabric softeners can include chemicals like formaldehyde, phosphates, surfactants, chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or Quats), such as ammonium sulfate and ammonium quaternary sanitizers, 1-4, dioxane, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), dichlorobenzene, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), and the list goes on. These chemicals can be harmful and toxic to humans, marine life, and the environment. Carcinogens were even found to be released into the air from the use of scented laundry products.
Thankfully, many zero waste options are formulated without the harmful chemicals found in traditional detergents. This means they’re safer for the environment and often for your skin as well. Take some time to research eco-friendly brands. Look for those with transparent ingredient lists and sustainable packaging, like this concentrate option from The Refill Shoppe or this intriguing paste from the Zero Waste Store made from saponified coconut and olive oils, soap nuts liquid, yucca powder, baking soda, oxalic acid, salt, and rosemary oleoresin.
For the truly dedicated, making DIY laundry detergent at home can be a fun and effective way to ensure your washing is as green as possible. Common ingredients include soap nuts. These little wonders are affordable, non-toxic, and sustainable and can be used for a variety of different household cleaning products, from laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaner to glass cleaner and so much more. You can even use these nuts to make shampoo and pet wash. Other ingredients for at-home detergent can include washing soda and essential oils.
Switching to zero waste laundry detergent is a simple change that will reduce your plastic consumption and exposure to harmful chemicals — all positive steps for the environment.
Other small steps to help make your laundry greener include using the recommended (or even slightly less) soap than recommended. It’s still just as effective and helps reduce waste. Also, try pairing your eco-friendly detergent with a cold-water wash, when possible, to help preserve the life of your garments and save energy. In a world where every choice counts, these little changes are well worth making.
If you’re committed to doing your part to help save the planet, you’ve come to the right place. At eveelife.com, we’re here to help our eco-conscious community live a greener life, armed with the latest tech, trends, and news. Take a moment to “Join the Charge!” by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Instagram and Facebook. Together, we can make an impact.
Published September 6, 2023 5:04PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
