5 Clean Laundry Products

When it comes to sustainable fashion there is a great selection of brands to choose from, but what about laundering those garments? Below are some of our favourite eco-friendly laundry products and accessories for the cleanest (greenest) laundry yet. —Vicki Duong

laundry detergent strips. Looking for a smarter way to use your washing machine and cut down on your packaging waste? Look no further than Tru-Earth Laundry Strips ($12). Each strip dissolves completely in water, taking out all the guesswork when it comes to measuring. Formulated without parabens and phosphates, the detergent is suitable for even sensitive skin and comes in scented and unscented versions.

bleach alternatives. While bleach helps brighten and remove stubborn stains, it also contains a lot of harsh chemicals that aren’t good for your skin. Thankfully, The Laundress offers an All-Purpose Bleach Alternative ($20) as a substitute for chlorine bleach. The formula is non-toxic, biodegradable and fragrance free, making it ideal for even sensitive skin types.

no-rinse laundry detergent. Another great way to reduce water usage when it comes to washing garments is to hand wash—so a detergent that doesn’t need to be rinsed and is gentle on skin is a must-have. Perfect for delicate fabrics, Eucalan Wash ($15) uses eucalyptus and lanolin to gently clean natural and synthetic fabrics. Plus, it’s scented with essential oils—no synthetic fragrances whatsoever!

wool balls. While we try to hang to dry whenever possible to reduce our carbon footprint there are some things that have to go through the dryer. We love using Moss Creek Wool Works Dryer Balls ($7 each at Much and Little) to reduce drying time without the addition of chemicals. Not only are these wool dryer balls sustainably produced but they can be used for 100-plus loads.

essential oil blends. If you’re looking to add a bit of freshness to your laundry, we love adding Saje Sweet Sheets Blend ($34) to our dryer balls. With just a few drops our linens and sheets are freshly scented with a calming blend of lavender, lemon and bergamot.