Laundry Sheets
There is some controversy whether laundry sheets are the most environmentally-friendly option for laundry detergent. Below are some points to consider and research on the issue.:
There is some controversy whether laundry sheets are the most environmentally-friendly option for laundry detergent. Below are some points to consider and research on the issue.:
- Some brands have ingredient lists on the packaging, others do not
- “made with” is not same as “made of”
- Many don’t claim “biodegradable”, though the ones that do, don’t have sources (even on website, let alone packaging)
- Some detergent sheets include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
- Poly-vinyl Alcohol (PVA) – synthetically derived polymer, same that encases laundry pods, generally approved by agencies (such as US EPA/FDA), “biodegrades under the right conditions”
- 2021 MDPI study of wastewater treatment plant emissions via sludge found PVAs persistent in the environment. This study was funded by Blueland – a company that sells plastic-free laundry detergent tablets
- Ultimately still lack real-world monitoring or research in the natural environment
- Many researchers agree that claims for more real-world applications are warranted, though they do not necessarily change their stance that PVA is safe, as has been proven through multiple lab studies over the years
- Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/01/09/eco-friendly-laundry-detergent-sheets-plastic/
- PVA/PVOH have been claimed as biodegradable because they are water-soluble, can be broken down by microbes leaving mostly CO2/H2O, primarily derived from ethylene gas
- Clean Master Mind. https://cleanmastermind.com/laundry/are-laundry-detergent-sheets-good-for-the-environment/
- Pro-laundry sheets:
- Reduced carbon emissions with less packaging, less plastic packaging, and lighter to transport
- Pre-measured and reduce over-usage of detergent
- Biodegradability claims
- Naturally-derived ingredients
- Pro-laundry sheets:
- Wirecutter. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/laundry-detergent-sheets-sustainability/
- Performance review of laundry sheets highlighted particular poor performance in cold water – which is less energy intensive and will help prolong life of clothes
- Preliminary research might suggest the reduced friction from sheets reduces microplastic shedding from fabrics
- Many include other sulfates and acid
- Production may be located outside the US – longer transportation footprint, and be resource-intensive (though they do not contain as much water in the final end product)