This Eco-Friendly Laundry Hack Will Help You Make A Greener Impact (Win!)

While Earth Month is a time where people talk about prioritizing recycling, planting trees and more, a major culprit of waste and harm to our environment is something so routine for us: our laundry routine. Unfortunately, recent stats show that billions of detergent jugs contribute to pollution in oceans, waterways and landfills worldwide and most liquid detergents are diluted, wasting water and increasing carbon emissions due to their weight. Furthermore, ingredients in many popular laundry detergents can lead to skin issues and allergic reactions. Issues like this are why Dawn White founded ecoegg, a sustainable laundry solution that replaces traditional detergents with a mineral pellet-filled egg. Dawn created a solution that cuts down on plastic waste and chemical use in any laundry routine, at a fraction of the cost, and ecoegg officially arrived in Canada on April 1. We chatted with Dawn to learn more. —Vita Daily

Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to create ecoegg? What motivated you to search for a sustainable laundry solution?

In 2008, I launched ecoegg out of a personal necessity. My skin couldn’t tolerate the harsh chemicals in traditional detergents, prompting me to innovate an eco-friendly, skin-friendly, and efficient laundry solution. My vision was built on four fundamental values: eco-friendliness, suitability for sensitive skin, convenience, and value for money.

Recently, after rejoining the company, I’ve infused new energy into our product development, ensuring our offerings not only uphold our original values but also exceed expectations in both performance and environmental responsibility. Our commitment has led to an exciting partnership with Paramount and the Operation Sea Change initiative alongside SpongeBob SquarePants, allowing us to broaden our reach with a complete line of eco-conscious laundry products.

My journey towards finding a sustainable laundry solution was deeply personal. My skin simply couldn’t tolerate the harsh chemicals in traditional detergents, and this sparked a desire in me to create a product that not only cared for the skin but also respected our planet. I envisioned a range that catered to all—those like me, seeking fragrant options despite skin sensitivities, and those preferring their laundry unscented, whether it was for washing or drying.

As a vegan committed to minimizing my environmental footprint, it was essential for me to reflect this commitment in ecoegg’s offerings. Our innovative products, like the Laundry Egg, enable washing at lower temperatures, and our Dryer Eggs significantly cut down drying time by up to 28%. I’m particularly proud of our emphasis on sustainability, urging our customers to reuse and refill the Laundry Egg. Even after a decade, it’s designed to be recycled, ensuring we tread lightly on the earth.

What sets ecoegg apart from traditional laundry detergents?  How does the mineral pellet-filled egg work to clean clothes effectively while reducing plastic waste and chemical use?

What makes ecoegg stand out is its unique design and environmental benefits. Our laundry solution utilizes solid laundry pellets and tourmaline, eliminating the mess of spills and making it as straightforward to use as a pod—just fill up the Laundry Egg, and you’re all set.

Since its creation, ecoegg has been engineered to operate efficiently in lower temperatures, ranging from 60°F to 140°F (15°C to 60°C). This not only cuts down on energy costs but also makes it a perfect choice for eco-conscious consumers looking for affordable eco-friendly options.

The secret behind our ecoegg’s ability to effectively clean clothes while slashing plastic waste and reducing chemical usage lies in the mineral pellet-filled egg. Place the Laundry Egg on top of your clothes, and the detergent pellets gradually release throughout the wash cycle, delivering excellent washing results at cooler temperatures. Traditional liquid detergent contributes to plastic pollution, but using an ecoegg over its 10-year lifespan can save around 80 plastic bottles per household, based on an average of 3L for 66 washes. Additionally, it’s designed to work with your washing machine’s cycle time and load, preventing the overuse of chemicals and water. Our formula is not only gentle on clothes but also on the planet, making it the ideal choice for daily laundry needs.

Can you walk us through the process of developing ecoegg, from the initial idea to the final product? What were some of the challenges you faced along the way?

The journey of creating ecoegg began with a vision to craft an eco-friendly and skin-friendly laundry solution that matched the washing performance of traditional products. My aim was to present this in a unique manner, so I dived into competitor analysis and consumer research to understand exactly what people were looking for.

One of the toughest hurdles was concocting the formula for the Laundry Egg. It had to tick all the boxes—environmentally friendly, gentle on skin, and effective in cleaning. After much perseverance, I finally found a manufacturing partner who shared my vision. The feedback has been incredible; customers find it simple to use and are delighted with the results. They tell me they’re not going back to traditional detergents, and that’s a huge win for us.

In our mission to constantly evolve, we’ve recently expanded our product line to include a Laundry Egg specifically designed for whites and introduced our first enzyme-based products with SpongeBob. This journey hasn’t been without its challenges, from securing supportive manufacturers and investors who believed in the vision, to building a dedicated team capable of taking on the established giants in the industry.

Our goal has always been to provide consumers with a choice that’s kind to their skin, the environment, and their wallets. After successfully producing our products, the next challenge was to gain retailer support. We started in eco-friendly stores and home shopping channels, gradually making our way into major retailers such as London Drugs, Canadian Tire, and online giants like Amazon. Looking back, it’s been an incredible journey, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.

Sustainability is a key focus of ecoegg. How do you ensure that your products are environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal?

Absolutely, sustainability sits right at the heart of what we do at ecoegg. We’re deeply committed to exploring more eco-conscious ways to bring our products to our consumers. With the recent launch of our SpongeBob line, we’ve managed to eliminate the last bit of single-use plastic in our packaging, opting instead for fully recyclable 100% paper. It’s crucial for us that all our packaging can be recycled, and we’re proud to say our Laundry Egg, which comes with a 10-year guarantee, meets this criterion too. I’ve been using my original Laundry Egg for ages now, thinking about all the plastic bottles I’ve avoided using feels incredible! Our partnership with suppliers is rooted in mutual respect for minimizing waste, and we’re always open to innovative suggestions that align with our values – being eco-friendly, suitable for sensitive skin, convenient, and offering great value.

How does ecoegg contribute to reducing plastic waste and chemical pollution in the laundry industry? What impact do you hope to make in terms of sustainability and environmental conservation?

I’m proud to say ecoegg is a game-changer in making the laundry industry more environmentally friendly. By ditching plastic bottles, we not only prevent them from ending up in landfills, being reprocessed, or polluting our precious waterways and oceans, but we also collaborate with iconic partners like SpongeBob SquarePants on the Operation Sea Change campaign to spread the word.

Imagine this: replacing 8.5 trucks full of traditional 3L detergent bottles with just one truck of our Laundry Eggs. That means fewer transport journeys, lower emissions, and a reduced impact on our roads. But it’s not just about reducing plastic waste. Our concentrated pellets cut down on chemical waste too. Unlike the unpredictable results from traditional liquid or powder detergents, or even pods and sheets, our system ensures efficient, eco-friendly cleaning with every wash.

I’m deeply committed to fostering sustainability and environmental conservation. My goal is to inspire the adoption of new habits that cut down on single-use plastics, and reduce both packaging and chemical waste. I take pride in being a climate-positive employer, and with the help of “Play it Green”, we plant trees to offset the carbon footprint of our company’s employees.

Many consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in their household products. What ingredients are used in ecoegg, and how do they compare to those found in traditional detergents?

As more and more of you are becoming savvy about the ingredients in your household products, I wanted to give you a clear picture of what goes into our ecoegg, especially when compared to traditional detergents. In our ecoegg, you’ll find 5-15% anionic surfactants and 15-30% non-ionic surfactants. Our fragranced varieties include perfume, but we skip the fragrance in our Fragrance-Free options for those who prefer it. What you won’t find in our products are palm oil, chlorine bleaches, enzymes, or sulfates, especially in our Sensitive lines, making them kinder to your skin and the environment.

We’re committed to ensuring that our products are in compliance with the necessary legislation in every country we’re present, abiding by the REACH regulations which are particularly stringent when it comes to laundry products. Additionally, it’s important to me that our products are vegan-friendly and never tested on animals.

Comparing our formula to those of traditional detergents, many of them contain a heavier chemical load. While there are some brands out there making efforts to cater to sensitive skin by adjusting their formulas, at ecoegg, we’ve prioritized creating a product that’s gentle from the start.

In addition to being eco-friendly, how does ecoegg benefit consumers in terms of cost and convenience? Are there any additional savings or advantages to using ecoegg over traditional detergents?

I’m thrilled to talk about how our products offer incredible benefits beyond just being eco-friendly. First off, let’s talk about cost. When customers invest in our Laundry Egg, they’re looking at significant savings. It’s competitive from the start, but the real savings kick in with the refills, making it much more cost-effective than traditional detergents over time.

Then there’s the convenience factor – the Ecoegg is mess-free, easy to use, and topping it up is a breeze. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about saving time and effort too.

But the advantages don’t stop there. Using Ecoegg helps in reducing harmful chemicals from entering our watercourses and cuts down on plastic waste, making a positive impact on our planet. It’s also about simplifying your life – our products take up less space at home and lighten your load on those trips from the store.

In short, Ecoegg isn’t just a smarter choice for the environment – it’s a smarter choice for consumers, full stop.

How has the response been from consumers since ecoegg was launched? What feedback have you received from customers, and how do you use that feedback to improve your products?

Since launching ecoegg, the response from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive; they genuinely enjoy sharing their experiences with us. This invaluable feedback directly contributed to the introduction of our White Egg range and the addition of new fragrances. Many of our customers have expressed that once they’ve tried our Laundry Egg, they can’t imagine going back to their old laundry solutions. Based on their suggestions, we’ve also made improvements to our instruction leaflets and worked on enhancing the longevity of our product fragrances. Our customers’ insights are incredibly important to me, especially when considering new product lines, their packaging, performance, and pricing, all of which tie back to our core value pillars.

As a sustainability advocate, what advice would you give to individuals who are looking to reduce their environmental impact in their daily lives, starting with their laundry routine?

As someone deeply committed to sustainability, I always encourage people to consider the impact of their everyday actions, especially when it comes to something as routine as doing laundry. My top tip? Try switching to a Laundry Egg. It’s not only simple to use, but it’s a small change that can make a big difference. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on it because your feedback helps us ensure we’re providing the best eco-friendly products. Remember, each small step we take can lead to significant changes, underscoring our duty to the planet and future generations. We’ve all played a part in where we are now, but together, we can work towards a better world.

Looking ahead, what are your future plans and goals for ecoegg? Are there any new products or initiatives in the works that you can share with us?

As we look ahead, my goal is to expand ecoegg’s reach, making more people aware of eco-conscious choices. I’m excited about establishing ecoegg in Canada, which aligns perfectly with your government’s policy on eliminating single-use plastic. We’re committed to innovation within our four core value pillars, whether in laundry solutions or new categories.

I’m also focused on spreading the word about ecoegg through various media, leveraging the power of our satisfied customers’ recommendations.

Our partnership with SpongeBob for Operation Sea Change, marking his 25th anniversary, is particularly thrilling. We’re launching seven new laundry lines in this range, with even more to come in June.

We’re continuously working on providing eco-friendly alternatives that meet the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s consumers. So, there’s a lot to look forward to – stay tuned!

Win! 1 of 2 ecoegg Prize Packs!

Congrats Gayle M. of Regina, SK, and Nathalie C. of Guelph, ON, who will each receive an ecoegg Prize Pack, consisting of 1 laundry egg, 2 refill packs and 1 detox tablet pack with a value of approx $80 CAD! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.