According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 10 million tons of plastic ends up in landfills. But while living fully zero-waste sounds nice, it’s much more realistic to take baby steps toward lowering your consumption. And one easy swap to start with? Plastic-free detergent pods. This sustainable swap will help turn your laundry room into an eco-friendly haven.
Once you use up the detergent you currently have, consider opting for an environmentally-conscious company like Dropps. Dropps laundry detergent products are 100 percent plant-derived, plastic-free, and have a cruelty-free guarantee.
Photos: Brie Lentry, Kaitlyn Zavesky, Kayla Siedlecki, and Saniye Kazan
There are a variety of options that work for any consumer. For example, you can try it out once, or go for the discounted wash subscription. Either way, you get a 30-day, risk-free trial on your first purchase. The little zero-waste pods pack a powerful cleaning punch for a bargain, too. The average person can actually save up to $160 by choosing Dropps laundry detergent over standard detergent.
Fun fact: Dropps actually manufactured the first original detergent pod and was even endorsed by Oprah back in 2008. So it’s no wonder why our Scouts jumped at the opportunity to give these pods—and packs of reusable Swedish dishcloths—a try. Take a look at how the ready-to-use plastic and paper alternative stole their hearts.
Disclaimer: We did not pay any of our Scouts to review these products, but they did receive the products for free.
Scout Speak: Take Our Word for It
“They were easy to use, they’re clear on what’s in the pod and what’s not, and they were sensitive skin-friendly. They also seemed more effective than other eco-friendly detergent products I’ve used in the past.” —Coral Wonderly
“I loved the convenience and ready-to-use aspect of the pods. This makes it much easier to start a load of dishes or laundry without the inconvenience of measuring the correct amount of detergent for each individual load. I also love that Dropps are plastic-free and that the company partnered with Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization solely dedicated to ocean conservation.” —Brie Lentry
“Before hearing of Dropps, I didn’t know of any plastic-free alternatives to laundry and dishwasher detergent. I’m trying to reduce my consumption of single-use plastic and Dropps helps me do that.” —Saniye Kazan
“I loved the sustainable packaging and the ease of the pods. You can just throw them in the washing machine. Plus, even though the product was unscented, I felt like my clothes were still cleaned well.” —Mary Katherine Gingras
“The packaging is my favorite part. It’s clean and compostable. It also gives you details of what the product is and the mission of Dropps, which is important to me.” —Kaitlyn Zavesky
“The clean ingredients and minimal, plastic-free packaging are so refreshing in a product space that’s typically filled with chemicals and plastic. Also, compared to paper towels, the Swedish dishcloths are great! The ridges help pick up crumbs more easily and are a more eco- and budget-friendly option.” —Kayla Siedlecki
“I had doubts with the sizing of the pod. But after seeing them do the job, I would love to support Dropps more rather than getting a product with a lot of plastic packaging and harmful chemicals.” —Sara Collins
“Using this product opened my eyes to the many changes I can make with my household supplies. I never thought about the harm of using regular dish pods, but now I’m not only aware of it, but I’ve found a great eco-friendly replacement!” —Shayna Demick
“I’m a fan of the packaging! I liked how there wasn’t a wasteful piece of paper with instructions. Everything you needed to know was printed on the box. This product also definitely beats regular laundry detergent! The pods are easy to throw into a full load of laundry. There was no need to measure any liquid!” —Paoloa Castillo
“With the laundry detergent pods, I liked that my skin wasn’t irritated like it can get after I wash my clothes with other detergents. It’s really friendly for those with sensitive skin, as they’re made with natural ingredients! The dish pods clean well and don’t get stuck in the dishwasher or leave residue on dishes like others I’ve used before. As for the Swedish dish towels, I really like how absorbent they are and how easy they are to clean afterwards.” —Hannah Jones