Feb

Eco Laundry – Just Dropp It

— by Tiffany in A Green Home, Eco Tips, Natural Product Reviews, The Homestead

Attn: Giveaway at the end of the post!

I have not been a fan of conventional laundry detergents for a long time. My general fondness of natural detergents and laundering methods was cemented when I did the research for a cloth diaper detergent chart on one of my other sites. You should check out the chart…it was meant for cloth diapers in particular but it is a good resource for detergents for ANY kind of laundry. I have basically taken a ton of different detergents and rated them based upon their use of enzymes, optical brighteners, dyes, fragrance, and fabric softeners….which are pretty much all bad news and I explain why at the bottom of the page.

Something always bothered me about even the most natural detergents though…..the packaging. It is very wasteful…especially the big plastic bottles of liquid detergent.

So I was jazzed recently to get to try Dropps Liquid Laundry Pacs finally. They are tiny little packs of natural liquid detergent with no enzymes, optical brighteners, or fabric softeners. The scented version has dyes and fragrance but the unscented has neither. So the detergent is healthier for humans and for the planet right off the bat but the packaging is also very cool.

A regular plastic jug of liquid detergent is only 2 times concentrated. That means it is 75% water. What a waste! The Dropps on the other hand are 6 times concentrated…so you aren’t paying for a teeny bit of detergent and a bunch of water. Also only 75% of that plastic jug is made from recycled plastic and the cap is not recyclable so 100% of those end up in the landfill.

The Dropps are tiny little baggies of detergent and you throw the whole thing in the wash. The plasticy film completely dissolves like those Listereen breath strips so there is no waste. The Dropps do come in a larger plastic bag but I hear they are changing that aspect of the packaging so I am excited to see what they come up with. Overall this detergent means far less waste and after a few weeks I find that they clean just as effectively as my other detergents and without residue build-up, so Dropps are a big winner in my book. They are good for people with sensitive skin in my opinion too, because that is me for sure…I get hives when things irritate my skin.

I have a bag of unscented and dye free Dropps to give away! Just leave a comment and you are entered to win.

[tags]Dropps, liquid detergent, eco friendly, recycle, natural[/tags]

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

104 Comments

http://www.greenbabyguide.com Rebecca

I am also interested in learning whether they’d work for HE machines. The Dropps Laundry Pacs sound interesting. We have an upcoming article on cloth diaper detergents on The Green Baby Guide, but we haven’t looked into these. Thanks!

Rebecca’s last blog post..Minimizing With Baby: Creative Ideas for Multi-Use Items
http://www.danceprimer.com Amberlynn

These look great. And thanks for all the work you did for the cloth diapering detergent chart. Looks good. :)

Amberlynn’s last blog post..Ask, ask, ask, ask, ask
http://robinlemon.com Robin

I clean my home naturally and have for a few years, but laundry soap is still an issue even though I have been buying the natural ones, I am still on the lookout for something better. I would like to try this

Robin’s last blog post..Works for me- brownie baking tip and recipe
Michelle

I just started to use Norwex laundry powder. Environmentally friendly and you only use a couple Tbsp each load. So far so good.
Lisa

I use Allen’s but would love to try something new. Thanks!
http://www.graymattersmd.blogspot.com Alana

Thank you for the great information. Would love to try them out!

Alana’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday #7 – Family Picture Wall
jdp

I’ve seen these. I’d love to try it. I even sent away for a coupon. Then when I went to use it I couldn’t find any of this within like 60 miles of me. :( I wondered about the melt-away type packaging or whatever its called. I wonder what its made out of, if its safe for sensitive skin, if it leaves a residue on clothes, etc.
http://mariaandkevin.blogspot.com Maria

I’d love to give it a try!

Maria’s last blog post..Up and Down
Karen

Do you know if these would work in HE laundry machines?
Tara

I was just looking at these the other day. I would love to try before I buy…

Tara’s last blog post..The High Cost and Higher Profits of Standardized Testing
http://therockpile.blogspot.com Angela

I’ve been looking at these lately and am getting more tempted by the day. I just want to know if they work!

Angela’s last blog post..Our New House
http://wildnursling.blogspot.com Melissa

I wonder where to buy these locally? The links in your post are not found?
Would love to try, thanks for posting!

Melissa’s last blog post..Natural selection
http://www.devildogfamily.blogspot.com Devildogwife

I haven’t been able to find these locally. I may end up having to order them from Amazon. I would love to try them out first though. ;) Thanks for the cool giveaway. And, yes, they work in the HE machines. :)

Devildogwife’s last blog post..Monday Meanderings and Menu Plan
http://meeshimama.blogspot.com Michelle Lane

These sound really interesting! I’d love to try them!

Michelle Lane’s last blog post..What a Difference a Day Makes!
Chrissy

These sound great! Never heard of these before, am interested is seeing how they match up to baby spit up, because there is a ton on our clothes around here! ;)
http://artquilts.blogspot.com Rete

I’d love to try them — thanks !

Rete’s last blog post..C is for Crazy
http://helloidaho.blogspot.com Michelle

I’d love to try these. According to the description on Amazon they are great for HE washers–just drop one in wherever you normally put liquid detergent!

Michelle’s last blog post..Lunar eclipse watching
http://bizzybees.wordpress.com Mommy Bee

I’ve heard so much about these, but haven’t had the chance to try them yet! I’d love to win them! Thanks for a great giveaway.
luvmybabybee(at)gmail(dot)com

Mommy Bee’s last blog post..Busy and Her?Privacy
http://lovingandserving.blogspot.com Frances

Those sound great – thanks for all the helpful info! I’d love to win. :)

Frances’s last blog post..How is God Calling You Today?
Colleen

Am always interested in trying an eco-friendly detergent. I have used Shaklee in the past
kelly

love soap
http://www.wilsonsilverleaf.blogspot.com lorien

Wow, those look exciting, I’d love to give them a try!

I have been using Lifetree laundry detergent, a 16 oz bottle lasts me over a month, and I do a load of laundry every day!

lorien’s last blog post..click on over!
Patricia

Oh Wow! These sound awesome. Thanks for another great review & giveaway!
http://everydayhappeningsofafrugalmom.blogspot.com/ frugalmom

I was just turned onto these. I went to the website and they offer a coupon or a mail in rebate. I have yet to find them locally, tho. They had them at our Target, but they were clearanced out.

frugalmom’s last blog post..How much space do you give them?
Sara

I would love to try these! My newborn daughter and I both have very sensitive skin. And I like to support products that will help the earth be in good shape when she is my age.
Jen

You always have the best give-aways! These sound really intriguing; I’d never heard of them.
Melinda S

Wow—these would be wonderful!!!! We cloth diaper…so this would be super!!! And great when traveling!!!
Alexandra

I have been meaning to try these! They sound awesome!
Laura

I like everyone else, would love to try them.
Tricia

I have read about Dropps but haven’t yet tried them. Would love to give them a whirl!
Jen Mc

Yeah, less packaging! I’d love to try Dropps out!
http://mamasphere.blogspot.com Laural

What a great idea! I’d love to give ‘em a try.

Laural’s last blog post..Cool Finds
Kirsten

I will be hunting for this product locally so I don’t have to order it on-line! Thanks for he great info:)
Beth Kulick

I have never heard of these, I would love to try them!
michelle y

Cool! Maybe I should look up your cloth diapering detergent reviews too…will the Dropps be good for cloth diapers, do you think?
And what about front-loaders, are they ok in them?
Cindi Hoppes

Hello! Please enter me in your drawing for the “Dropps!” I really want to try them. I have not seen them in my living area. Thanks very much!
Cindi
christina

I have been looking for a more eco friendly laundry soap. Please pick me!
Holly Autry

These sound fantastic! I’ve been trying to make my own detergent but would love to try these as well.
Vicki

I would love to know how these work in a front loader. I use Charlies, and love it, but the plastic is a killer. I would like to try these out.
http://www.sweetpeasandlittlesprouts.com Cheryl

These look so cool-would love to try them out. We always have TONS of laundry to do.
Jilleen

I use Seventh generation, but would like to try something else. What about bio-kleen? Have you rated this before? I would love to try some of these! :)
Julie

I would love to try them. I have always used Tide free, but need to look to at other options that would be more planet friendly.
Jilleen

By the way, I saw online that these are available at Walmart if you are trying to find them locally.
Stacy S

I read about these somewhere else too, and heard they were great. I’d love to try them out!
lovedandamazed

I would love to try Dropps! I’ve heard so many good reviews…
http://www.bebemiqui.blogspot.com Bebemiqui

Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bebemiqui’s last blog post..Help Wanted
courtney

i would love to try these! my dear daughter breaks out so easily and i’m always looking for something good for her poor skin!!
http://www.maternitique.com evolvedmom

I would love to try something like this! Thanks for the tip.
http://imabima.blogspot.com phyllis

i’ve been looking for it in the stores now that i’ve read about it on a bunch of blogs. i hope to try it soon!

phyllis’s last blog post..Getting Myself in the Pictures…
Pamela

These would be awesome to try! Thanks!
http://somewherenevertravelled.blogspot.com Maggie

I’d love to try this!

Maggie’s last blog post..monday book review: sharp teeth by toby barlow
http://tarasviewoftheworld.blogspot.com Tara

I really want to try these! Please enter me to win.

Tara’s last blog post..Smiles
Paige

I would like to try these.
http://www.urechquads.com Misty

I would love to try these. I presently use Mrs. Meyers.
Stacey

oooooo a freebie
http://thehomeschoolway.blogspot.com Betsy

I would love to win this!

Betsy’s last blog post..Want to waste time and have lots of fun?
rachel

Since I no longer live in the US, I can’t figure out where I’ve seen these before! Must check my local eco stores, though I’ve been buying Ecover products lately…

rachel’s last blog post..news and links
http://www.terratees.com Missy

Is the bag the laundry packets come in recyclable? What a neat concept and glad to learn about it. Thanks for the info!
Tina B

Great job on the chart! We use Method and Seventh Generation as they are readily available here in unscented formulas. Would love to try these new Dropps, but not sure about HE machine either – don’t want to void our warranty!
Love your website and have recommended it to several people this past week. Thanks for your hard work.
Lauren

Love your blog…I’ll be changing my detergent!
MyraSchell

I can’t wait to give this product a try!
Katy

I’ve been using Seventh Generation for my household, but it’s sometimes tough to buy the right thing on a student-and-startup budget — I’m always tempted by the big cheapo brands, especially when there are coupons, sigh. I’d love to give these a whirl! :)
http://www.enviromama.blogspot.com Jenny

Wow, these sound really promising. I wonder how they do with cloth diapers?

Jenny’s last blog post..week 7 & 8: 2008 in 2008
http://www.greatgreengoods.com Liz

I would love to try these out!
thanks
Liz

Liz’s last blog post..Recycled Bicycle Tire Rug
Ane

These sound wonderful. I have been checking into natural cleaners and haven’t found any I could afford when I did find them within 100 miles of where I live.
I have allergies to nearly every kind of strong odors and I think my grandchildren are developing the same problem.
Becky

I have never heard of these! I would love to try these before buying a whole bag. I use the Shaklee stuff or Charlie’s Soap now and I like both of them.
Joshua Grabreck

The idea of nearly waste free packaging on these is really exciting. I hate throwing away those big plastic containers. For years I have been using them to hold stuff in my garage but I am running out of uses. I will surely be picking some of these up.
Mackenzie

I’d love to win this!!!1
Sara L.

I would love to try these out on my “sensitive skin” family! Thanks for the chance to win a bag!
http://www.green-talk.com Anna Hackman

I am glad that it does not come with softners. I can’t use a product that has that any type of softner in it which includes the soy softner. Also, I wonder if there is any problem with the packaging dissolving in the water especially for those who use grey water for irrigation or septic? What is it made of?. Sounds like a great idea though.

I would love to try it for my kids since they all have ezcema. Anna http://www.green-talk.com

Anna Hackman’s last blog post..The Lunch Sak, Kooling off the Earth a Kid’s Way
Grace

I’m interested in using more eco-friendly products. How do the Dropps work/perform with a HE front loading machine?
Laura

I was just thinking about natural alternatives to laundry soap the other day!! I have always been the natural living type of person (food, cosmetics etc.) I just got married and had a baby and I am stearing my family in that direction. What would You reccomend for making the transition and where do I start? maybe You could write something on going natural. I would love a chance to try out the laundry dropps too!
http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog Carrie

Ooh! Ooh! I want!

Carrie’s last blog post..Natural Moms Podcast #75
http://butterflijoy.blogspot.com Sarah

WOW. Love your giveaways. I’d love to try those out. I need to check out that article on detergent too. I just switched my baby over to cloth diapers this week!

Sarah’s last blog post..Belated Photos
Lindsay

Would love to give these a shot. Great post.
Rachel

I would love to try these! Thanks for the info!
Shelly

I really want to try these and cannot find them in a store
Beth

Thanks for the chance to try it! I’d love to!
http://www.groovychicago.com Missy

Thanxs for the heads up on Dropps. Had not heard of them prior to reading about it on your blog. Great find.

Missy.
Julie

Never heard of this. I use a product from Melaleuca (tea tree oil). Would love to try something new.
Julie
Kristin

I’ve been looking for something different. My kids and I have so many sensitivities…sounds great
http://www.stretchmarkmama.com Stretch Mark Mama

I just love a clever new (and better) product!
Nina

I use 7th Generation, but would love to try something else.
Heather Clark

Oh, those sound fabulous! I have eczema on my arms and my little lady has some really dry skin too. I’ve been using some Melalueca laundry soap I had purchased but it is still irritating and the plastic bottle annoys me. Keep up those great tips!
Kristina

Thanks, would love to try them
http://www.euphoriamaternity.com Rachel

Hmm.. have you tried them on your cloth diapers yet? Well, I’d love to try!
lovelilacs

Thanks for the review! I currently use BioKleen Free & Clear, which I love, but I am always looking for better products!
http://www.greenbabyguide.com Rebecca

Someone mentioned above that Dropps CAN be used in HE washers. I will have to give these a try on cloth diapers and report back!

Rebecca’s last blog post..The Best Green Baby Blogs
Zynnia

I’d love to try these too. I’ve never heard of them before.
tammy b

count me in, i’d love to give them a try.
Shayla Vokey

I would love to try these!
Julia

I just returned a bottle of Arm n Hammer clothes detergent to a major retailor because it smelled so strongly I could sniff it from 300 feet away as the overpowering scent from my dryer vent drifted across our property…Normally I buy unscented detergent but slipped up on this one. Needless to say this product you have found would be fabulous for the smell annoyed like me.
Bobsy

I *think* that if they are like the ones in teh UK that the plastic dissolveble bit is acually made from corn starch so hopefully not too many chemical nasties…….
http://arewegreenyet.blogspot.com Greg W

My family uses Costco brand, yes I know it is probably more water than it should be, but we get approx 90 loads for $11.39. We only use half what the label recommends and still get clean clothes.

It’s kind of tough to argue for using Dropp when it costs sooo much more.
Ann H

Thanks so much for this information! I have been having the same issue w/the packaging and would love to try this product. I’ve tried the detergent at my local co-op that has a refill station but I don’t think it works very well! Right now, I am trying Melaleuca detergent and it seems to work fine but I always wonder if the companies that claim to be “eco” friendly really are… Thanks so much for the work you are doing! Ann
Helen

I use Charlie’s Soap but would be interested in trying something new
: )
Penny

I would love to try these. I am stationed in Japan my daughter has sever eczema and it is hard to find an all natural detergent that doesn’t irritate her skin. Thank you
Danielle S

omg! I need this so bad!
danielle
Lindsay

I have been looking into a lot of natural detergents lately preparing for my first baby, but so few of them are for HE washing machines. These sound super convenient!
Pingback: Eco Wrap - Dropps Winner and Green Headlines | Natural Family Living Blog
Kerry Crawford

As someone already, Norwex Ultra Plus Laundry Detergent is a great choice for baby clothing and diapers. I have had customers tell me that they can use Norwex even if they’ve reacted to Melaleuca, which is another choice for sensitive skin. Norwex detergent contains no fillers or perfumes, and is safe for newborns and people with sensitive skin or eczema.

AN INTERESTING NOTE: Norwex detergent contains 3% phosphates. I asked Norwex’s technical advisor why that is, when there are phosphate-free detergents for alse all over the place. She told me that in phosphate-free laundry detergent, the phosphates have been replaced by a synthetic chemical that is too new to have been tested for long-term environmental effects. She said that Norwex will not switch to a phosphate-free formula until the effects of the alternative chemical are known. I thought that was really interesting!
Ron Wilson

We lived in Switzerland for two years and all of the detergent there was like dropp and we loved it. when we moved back we could not find them here.
I’m looking forward to trying them.

Ron
http://www.NorwexAlways.com Cynthia

I personally love Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent. It’s perfect for my family. My husband is a mechanic and I have a 2 year old and an 8 month old. I no longer have to make sure there’s 2 different kinds of detergent in my cupboard, and I don’t have to worry about my kids reactions to the detergent. Both of my children have excema really bad, so trying to find things they don’t get a rash from is usually an interesting task.
Robin Morris

so each to use in premeasured packs!