Laundry detergent comes in many forms, including liquids, powders, pods, tablets, and strips. While liquid detergent is the most common, powder detergent is an effective alternative that has several distinct advantages.
Powder vs liquid laundry detergent
Powder detergent is an ultra-concentrated form of laundry detergent that comes in a dry, shelf-stable powder. Think of it as a liquid detergent with the water taken out, making it easier to package, ship, and use around the house.
Powder vs laundry pods and sheets
While sheets and pods are also dry, lightweight alternatives to liquid detergent that can be packaged in cardboard, these products are made with polyvinyl alcohol (commonly called PVA or PVOH). PVA is a dissolvable plastic that encases the detergent, meaning that these products are designed to intentionally release plastic into water systems through the drain in your home. Recent research has shown that PVA does not readily break down in our wastewater systems and contributes dissolved plastic to our waterways.
Here are five reasons to switch to laundry powder:
1. Laundry powder is cost-effective
Laundry powder is highly concentrated, so you don’t need much for effective cleaning. In modern high-efficiency (HE) washing machines, as little as half a tablespoon is enough powder for most loads. In standard machines, a tablespoon is sufficient.
Our Laundry Powder is available in reusable canisters and refill boxes with enough powder for 128 HE loads (or 64 standard loads). Here’s the cost-per-load breakdown:
Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder
$20.99 per canister / 128 HE loads = $0.16 per HE load
Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder Refill
$16.99 per canister / 128 HE loads = $0.13 per HE load
For comparison, here’s the cost per load for some other popular detergents:
2. Laundry powder is lightweight and space-efficient
Simply put, water in laundry detergent is not necessary. Your machine adds water at the start of the laundry cycle. Why would you need it packaged and shipped to your home or local store?
When you buy liquid detergent, you’re paying a premium in cost, weight, and space for extra water. Compared to liquid detergents*, our Laundry Powder is about a third of the weight and takes up half the space on a per-load basis.
This smaller profile reduces the energy used for shipping and makes it easier to transport it home from the store, carry it up and down stairs in a laundry basket, and find space for it in your laundry room or pantry.
*Compared to Seventh Generation Liquid Detergent
3. Laundry powder does not require plastic packaging or ingredients
Many people want to avoid using plastic and with good reason. Plastic does not easily break down in the environment, leading to microplastic pollution in the water, soil, air, and even in our bodies. Plastic often contains toxic chemicals like BPA and phthalates. Moreover, plastic production and disposal are harmful to workers and nearby communities.
When you think of plastic in laundry detergents, those brightly colored jugs probably come to mind. However, plastic packaging can take many forms, including liners and coatings hidden inside the packaging. Most liquid detergents rely on plastic packaging to prevent leaks and mold.
You may not think of plastic as an ingredient, which is what some manufacturers rely on when marketing their products as eco-friendly. Plastic materials like PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) are used to make pods, sheets, and strips. These products list plastic as an ingredient rather than part of the packaging because the plastic goes directly into the wash cycle. As a result, these products may emphasize that they have “plastic-free packaging” because they instead contain plastic in a different form.
You can learn more about dissolvable plastic ingredients in our article PVA Is Plastic.
Laundry powder is dry and shelf-stable, so it can be packaged in plastic-free containers like our paper-and-steel canisters and our all-paper refill boxes. Powder has no need for plastic ingredients like PVA. A simple metal scoop is all it takes to add what you need without any unnecessary plastic.
4. Laundry powder does not require preservatives
Avoiding preservatives is another great reason to use laundry powder. Water-based products are prone to growing mold and bacteria. To avoid this and keep products safe and effective, liquid detergents need to have added preservatives.
Many preservatives used in cleaning products, like hexahydro-1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, also known as THT, are derived from petroleum. These chemicals are known as formaldehyde releasers or donors because they may release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and skin irritant. Some improved preservatives are known to be safer, but even gentle preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MI) can be irritating.
By eliminating water as an ingredient in our Laundry Powder, we’re able to make a shelf-stable detergent free of unnecessary preservatives.
5. Laundry powder is as effective as other types of laundry detergent
To recap, here’s a list of things you don’t need to wash your clothes:
- Packaged water
- Plastic packaging
- Plastic ingredients like PVA
- Preservatives
When we set out to make a laundry detergent that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet, powder was the clear winner.
However, it’s not enough for a product to be safer for people and the planet: it also has to work. Our Laundry Powder is formulated to work in all water conditions, including hard water and cold wash cycles. Washing soda acts as a water softener for hard water. It’s also an effective laundry booster, helping the soap and water penetrate deeper into fabrics during the wash. Baking soda is an effective odor neutralizer and gentle abrasive that removes built-up stains, dirt, and smells. Vegetable soap takes care of the rest.
We’re proud to make a plastic-free Laundry Powder with only ingredients we’re comfortable using in our homes—and asking you to use in yours.
