We all do laundry. Week after week, load after load, it's one of those household routines we rarely give much thought to.
But what if a few simple changes to the products we use could make a difference for our clothes, our homes and the planet?
The laundry aisle is getting a rethink. From concentrated detergents and dissolvable laundry sheets to refillable systems and plastic-free packaging, brands are finding new ways to tackle dirty clothes while cutting down on unnecessary ingredients, plastic waste and environmental impact.
And importantly, they're not forgetting what matters most: getting clothes clean, tackling tough stains and keeping everything fresh.
So next time you're stocking up on laundry essentials, here are some of our favorite brands helping make wash day cleaner and greener.
Dropps
Photo: Dropps
Dropps has been helping households rethink laundry for more than 30 years, with ultra-concentrated detergent pods designed to tackle everyday stains, workout odors and all the other messes life throws our way. Its biobased formulas use plant-derived cleaning agents and a combination of enzymes to get clothes clean, while skipping ingredients like dyes, phosphates, phthalates and optical brighteners.
There's plenty to appreciate beyond the wash cycle, too. Dropps packages its pods in plastic-free, recyclable paperboard boxes instead of bulky plastic jugs, helping reduce packaging waste. The certified B Corp also has some impressive third-party credentials, including the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition for its laundry pods.
Get to Know: Dropps
Shop online at dropps.com
Tru Earth
Photo: Tru Earth
Tru Earth helped shake up the laundry aisle with a simple idea: what if laundry detergent came in a sheet instead of a giant plastic jug? Launched in 2019, the brand's lightweight, pre-measured detergent sheets dissolve in the wash, delivering cleaning power without messy liquids or bulky packaging. Tru Earth has since expanded its lineup to include fabric softener strips, scent boosters and other household cleaning essentials.
The appeal goes well beyond convenience. Tru Earth's ultra-concentrated products come in plastic-free packaging, helping reduce packaging waste and the weight of products being shipped. The certified B Corp and member of 1% for the Planet also supports environmental initiatives and gives back through its Tru Giving program, which has helped provide clean clothes to millions of people in need around the world.
Get to Know: Tru Earth
Shop online at: https://tru.earth
Nellie’s
Photo: Nellie’s
Nellie's brings a refreshingly simple approach to laundry, with products that do the job without a lot of unnecessary extras. The family-owned Canadian brand offers concentrated Laundry Soda, Oxygen Brightener, plastic-free Laundry Cubes and reusable Wool Dryerballs that replace disposable dryer sheets. Its signature Laundry Soda comes in a powder rather than a liquid, delivering cleaning power without all the added water found in conventional detergents.
The cleaner-and-greener thinking extends throughout the lineup. Nellie's skips phosphates and synthetic fragrances in its laundry formulas, uses reusable tins and refill options to cut down on packaging waste and offers dryer balls designed to last for years. Its Laundry Cubes also avoid the dissolvable PVA film found in many detergent pods. It's a practical approach to reducing waste, one load at a time.
Get to Know: Nellie’s
Shop online at https://nelliesclean.com
Blueland
Photo: Blueland
Blueland is making it easier to ditch single-use plastic in the laundry room and beyond. The brand's Laundry Detergent Tablets offer a convenient, pre-measured alternative to traditional liquid detergents, with no bulky jugs, messy pouring or plastic film. And laundry is just the beginning. Blueland has built an entire lineup of refillable household cleaners, from dish soap and multi-surface sprays to toilet cleaners, all designed to make low-waste living a little more effortless.
The secret is a simple system: buy a reusable container once, then replenish it with compact tablets or powders packaged without plastic. Blueland backs its approach with third-party certifications, including Cradle to Cradle and Leaping Bunny, and its Spring Bloom Laundry Detergent Tablets earned a spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2024 list. It's a smarter way to clean that helps keep disposable packaging out of the picture.
Get to Know: Blueland
Shop online at https://www.blueland.com
Cleancult
Photo: Cleancult
Cleancult wants to turn your laundry routine into a refill ritual. The brand offers laundry detergent alongside a broader lineup of household cleaning essentials, including hand soap, dish soap and cleaning sprays. The idea is to make it easy to swap disposable plastic packaging for refillable containers, without giving up the cleaning power or fresh scents consumers expect from their everyday products.
Cleancult's mission is all about helping households kick the single-use plastic habit. With a focus on ingredient transparency, effective formulas and refill-friendly packaging, the brand is making lower-waste cleaning feel like a simple switch rather than a major lifestyle change. It's a practical approach to keeping both the laundry pile and the household plastic pile under control.
Get to Know: Cleancult
Shop online at cleancult.com
Branch Basics
Photo: Branch Basics
Branch Basics takes a different approach to laundry, starting with a simple idea: fewer products, more possibilities. The brand's signature Concentrate can be diluted for everything from cleaning countertops and bathrooms to washing clothes, while its dedicated Laundry Detergent Powder and Oxygen Boost offer additional options for tackling dirty laundry. It's all part of a streamlined cleaning system designed to simplify household routines without sacrificing performance.
The brand puts particular emphasis on ingredients and the people living with them. Its plant- and mineral-derived formulas avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives, with third-party credentials including MADE SAFE, EWG Verified and Leaping Bunny. Reusable bottles, concentrated formulas and refill options also help reduce packaging waste and unnecessary shipping weight. It's a cleaner-and-greener approach that puts household health front and center.
Get to Know: Branch Basics
Shop online at branchbasics.com
Some are rethinking detergent with concentrated pods, dissolvable sheets and powders. Others are making refillable packaging, simpler ingredients and less waste part of the everyday laundry routine. Different approaches, but a shared goal: getting our clothes clean while being a little kinder to our homes and the planet.
And since laundry isn't going anywhere, we might as well make every load a little better.