Our favorite cleaning invention since the Swiffer? Laundry detergent pods. They’re an affordable and sustainable alternative to a jug of liquid detergent, and it never ceases to amaze us how a single pod could pack such a punch. That said, there’s an even better laundry invention that people seem to be obsessing over in 2022: laundry strips.
RELATED: The 10 Best Natural Laundry Detergents to Buy Now
Essentially, laundry strips use the same logic as the pod: They’re pre-measured, biodegradable sheets of detergent that instantly dissolve into clothing with water. And, just like the pod, they’re incredibly effective in fighting stains, removing dirt and grime and preventing clothes from fading—often while using chemicals that are safe for sensitive skin.
Shop: Grove Co. Lavender Blossom Detergent Sheets ($13)
Take it from our PureWow100 review, which rated Grove’s detergent sheets 82 points out of 100: “They're pretty awesome to use: Each sheet completely dissolves in the wash, and it fights stains better than most natural detergents I've tried,” says editor Candace Davison. Not to mention that they’re the perfect travel companion: “if you're short on space—or are traveling and plan on doing your laundry on vacay, like at an Airbnb or something—these sheets are delightfully compact, and you don't have to worry about spills,” she adds.
While the typical laundry detergent pod is supposed to be biodegradable, a recent study found that up to 75 percent of its plastic film, which is often made of polyvinyl alcohol, doesn't fully break down—and winds up in our water. While more research is needed into how that affects us, it's enough to make us look closer at eco-friendly alternatives.
Laundry strips, on the other hand, tend to be eco-friendlier overall, since most come in recyclable paper packaging. Plus, their compact size and lightweight design make them easier to ship across the country, resulting in a lower carbon footprint. (Tru Earth's strips, for example, weigh 94 percent less than the typical 40 grams of liquid detergent needed to wash a load of laundry.)
Ready to take the plunge? Read on for six of the best laundry detergent strips to shop in 2022.
RELATED: The 5 Best Hand-Wash Detergents For All Types of Delicates
PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
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