Eco-Friendly Laundry Products

Eco-Friendly Laundry Products

The best wool dryer balls, detergent strips, stain sticks, and essential oil scenting spray. Good for you, good for the planet.

The Joy of Using Environmentally Friendly Laundry Products

Better for you, better for the environment: when you use eco-friendly laundry products, you’re making an investment in your family’s health and also in the well-being of the planet.

Here are some of the issues with traditional laundry products. These are the reasons we launched the Smart Sheep brand.

  • Volatile organic compounds released by detergents and dryer sheets contribute to poor indoor air quality and potential respiratory issues.
  • Dryer sheets often contain artificial fragrances and other chemicals that can irritate the skin and respiratory system.
  • The manufacturing of dryer sheets and conventional detergents involves the use of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum products.
  • Chemicals from dryer sheets can evaporate into the air during the dryer cycle, contributing to indoor air pollution.
  • Traditional laundry detergents and dryer sheet residues often introduce chemicals into our waterways, harming aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems.
  • Plastic jugs and containers from liquid detergents add to landfill waste and ocean pollution. Used dryer sheets as well.
  • Significant energy and resources are consumed in the production of traditional detergents and dryer sheets, leading to higher carbon emissions and climate change.
  • Chemicals from conventional detergents that seep into the ground can affect soil quality and health, potentially having an impact on our food chain.

Our environmentally friendly laundry products redefine your laundry experience while minimizing environmental impact

  1. Our wool dryer balls eliminate the need for dryer sheets, save energy by drastically reducing drying time, and are reusable for years. 
  2. Our detergent strips drastically cut waste with ultra-concentrated formulas packaged in minimal, recyclable material. Their eco-friendly ingredients protect aquatic life and their low-energy, low-water manufacturing reduces carbon emissions.
  3. Our scenting sprays offer a gentle, healthy way to add fragrance to your laundry—without releasing harmful chemicals into your home.
  4. Our stain sticks are biodegradable and don't contain harsh chemicals, making them safer for you and the environment.

Embrace the revolution of laundry with Smart Sheep! Enjoy optimal efficiency and stunning results, and relish in the knowledge that you're contributing to a greener future.

The Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Products

In a world flooded with laundry products, it can be difficult to identify those that truly deliver on their promises. At Smart Sheep, we believe in crafting solutions that are as effective as they are ethical.

So, what sets our products apart? Let’s dive into specifics.

Wool Dryer Balls

Our wool dryer balls are a natural, eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets. Handfelted from pure New Zealand wool, these dryer balls boost efficiency, soften fabrics, and help you sidestep harsh chemicals, making your laundry routine a win for both your clothes and the planet.

  1. Quality at its best: our wool dryer balls are crafted using only the finest, humanely sourced, unbleached wool from New Zealand, ensuring top performance and lasting durability.
  2. Artisanal touch: instead of mass production, each of our dryer balls is carefully hand-felted by artisans, predominantly women, in Nepal, resulting in a product that's unique and highly effective.
  3. Promoting ethical labor: we take pride in supporting fair labor practices - producing our wool dryer balls provides decent-paying jobs for marginalized communities in Kathmandu, and the packaging process supports mothers working flexible hours in the U.S.
  4. Superior and eco-friendly choice: our dryer balls are not merely an eco-friendly substitute for chemical-laden dryer sheets, they're a better choice. They naturally soften and fluff your laundry, saving time, energy, and money over a lifespan of more than 1,000 loads.
  5. Committed to customer satisfaction: we stand by the quality of our products with a passion. From the careful crafting process to the final quality inspection, we ensure every wool dryer ball we produce is a product we're proud of.

Shop wool dryer balls.

Detergent Strips

Our environmentally friendly detergent strips are highly efficient and provide a powerful clean while reducing environmental impact. No more toxic detergents and plastic pollution—only a quality clean.

  1. Premium quality: our detergent strips are crafted with highly concentrated, bio-based cleaning agents, ensuring efficient cleaning with minimal waste.
  2. Innovation in packaging: rather than traditional plastic containers, our detergent strips are packaged in compostable, plastic-free materials, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
  3. Supporting eco-friendly practices: by choosing our detergent strips, you're supporting an innovative solution that drastically reduces water usage in production and cuts down on carbon emissions during transportation.
  4. Efficiency and convenience: our detergent strips are pre-measured, eliminate guesswork, and are suitable for all types of washing machines, saving you time and effort.
  5. Customer satisfaction at the core: we're dedicated to providing top-quality products. Our detergent strips undergo rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance, and we stand by every product we sell.

Buy detergent strips!

Scenting Sprays

Our scenting sprays contain pure essential oils that add natural fragrance to your laundry and don't put harsh chemicals into your home.

  1. Our scenting sprays are formulated with natural ingredients, ensuring a pure and pleasant fragrance without harsh chemicals.
  2. Each spray is carefully crafted, ensuring an even, long-lasting scent that can be adjusted according to your preference.
  3. Easy to use: spritz your wool dryer balls and toss them in the dryer!
  4. Our products are cruelty-free, demonstrating our commitment to ethical standards in all stages of production.
  5. Choose from lavender, lemon, and orange scent.

Shop scenting sprays!

Stain Sticks

Our magic stain sticks are your ultimate weapon against stubborn laundry stains. These potent yet gentle stain removers are a game-changer in your laundry routine.

  1. Our stain sticks are formulated with all-natural ingredients that are tough on stains but gentle on fabrics and your skin.
  2. Each stick is carefully designed for easy application, providing targeted treatment to stained areas.
  3. This stain stick works on most stains.
  4. Committed to sustainable practices, we've designed our stain sticks to be plastic-free and packaged in recyclable materials.

Shop stain sticks!

Why Should You Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Products?

Using eco-friendly laundry products is an important step towards a sustainable lifestyle. It's not just about minimizing your environmental footprint; it's also about ensuring the health and wellbeing of you and your family.

  1. Reduced environmental impact: eco-friendly laundry products, like our wool dryer balls, detergent strips, scenting sprays, and stain sticks, are designed to have a minimal environmental impact. They typically come in recyclable or biodegradable packaging, significantly reducing plastic waste. Furthermore, our products are free from harmful chemicals that can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic life.
  2. Safe for health: traditional laundry products often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can trigger allergies, skin irritations, and even long-term health issues. Eco-friendly products, on the other hand, are made from natural ingredients, reducing the risk of adverse health reactions.
  3. Improved efficiency: our wool dryer balls, for example, help to cut down on energy usage by reducing drying time. Likewise, our concentrated detergent strips offer powerful cleaning without the excess water typically found in liquid detergents, resulting in a product that's lighter and more efficient to transport.
  4. Supports ethical practices: by choosing our eco-friendly laundry products, you are supporting ethical labor practices and empowering marginalized communities. Our wool dryer balls, for instance, are handcrafted by artisans in Nepal, providing well-paying jobs.
  5. Cost-effective: our products can save you money. For example, our wool dryer balls can last for as many as a thousand loads, saving you money on fabric softeners and dryer sheets over time.

The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Laundry Products

Choosing eco-friendly laundry products can significantly enhance both your personal health and the health of our planet. Here's why:

  1. Nature-derived and biodegradable: our ingredients are sourced from nature, which is gentler on your skin and the environment. When these products are used, they dissolve harmlessly in waterways instead of accumulating as pollutants.
  2. Beneficial for sensitive skin: many people have skin that reacts negatively to harsh chemicals found in conventional laundry detergents. Our eco-friendly laundry products are made with skin-friendly ingredients, reducing the risk of skin irritations and allergies.
  3. Concentrated formulas: our eco-friendly laundry products are typically more concentrated than traditional options. This not only reduces packaging waste but also provides more uses per product, adding to its efficiency and value.
  4. Demand shift: by choosing sustainable laundry products like ours, you contribute to shifting market demand away from harmful, traditional products. This aids in promoting the production of eco-friendly options, ultimately leading to a greener and healthier environment.

Our mission at Smart Sheep is to provide superior, sustainable, and skin-friendly laundry solutions. We believe that our carefully crafted products can have a positive impact on both personal health and environmental well-being.

How to Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Products?

Using our eco-friendly products is super easy. Let’s take a look.

Using Wool Dryer Balls

  1. Toss your dryer balls in with your wet laundry. Don't overfill the dryer because dryer balls require space to bounce around and circulate air.
  2. Close the door and turn on the dryer.
  3. Keep an eye on your laundry because drying time will be reduced when using dryer balls.
  4. To avoid dampness and odors, remove your clothes from the dryer and store the balls somewhere dry.

Buy wool dryer balls today!

Using Detergent Strips

  1. Place our laundry strip into your washing machine. Smart Sheep detergent strips work equally well in both front-load and top-load washers.
  2. Add your garments
  3. Select the wash cycle. Our detergent strips work with any wash cycle.

Get our detergent strips now!

Using Our Scenting Spray

Using our Anti-Static Scenting Spray is a piece of cake. Simply spray each dryer ball with the spray before throwing them in with your laundry.

Buy our essential oil scenting spray today!

Using Our Stain Stick

  1. Wet stain with water using a spray bottle or sink.
  2. Gently rub the stain stick into the stain.
  3. Wash the item in the laundry. 

Get our stain stick now!

How Long Do Eco Friendly Laundry Products Last?

  1. Wool dryer balls can last up to 1,000 laundry cycles. This means that if you run your dryer every day, each ball should last you nearly three years. Wool dryer balls should be stored properly to extend their life.
  2. Our stain stick lasts up to six months with regular use. However, its lifespan may vary depending on the severity and number of stains you're dealing with. Remember, a little goes a long way!
  3. Our detergent strips can last you anywhere from one to three months, depending on the size of your laundry loads and how soiled your clothes are. Each pack contains 30 strips, and for a standard load, you'll typically need one strip.
  4. The duration of the scenting spray largely depends on how much fragrance you prefer on your clothes. On average, a 200-ml bottle should last around a month with regular use. For a lighter scent, it may last even longer.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Products FAQ

What is the most environmentally friendly way to do laundry?

Doing laundry in an environmentally friendly manner involves a combination of practices and products. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Use eco-friendly products: choose laundry products like detergents, stain removers, and fabric softeners that are made from natural, biodegradable ingredients. These products, like our own line of eco-friendly laundry supplies, have a minimal impact on the environment.
  2. Cold wash: washing your clothes in cold water saves energy as heating water accounts for a significant portion of the energy used in washing machines.
  3. Full loads: wash full loads whenever possible to maximize the water and energy used per item of clothing.
  4. Air dry: where possible, air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer saves a lot of energy. Even if you can't always do this, reducing dryer usage will make a difference.
  5. Use dryer balls: if you need a dryer, wool dryer balls can reduce drying time, saving energy and reducing wear on your clothes.
  6. Maintain your appliances: keeping your washing machine and dryer in good condition can help them run more efficiently. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load, and periodically check your washing machine for leaks or buildup.
  7. Wash less: not every worn item needs to be washed immediately. Unless clothing is visibly dirty or smells, consider wearing it more than once before washing. This can significantly reduce your laundry loads and thus your water and energy consumption.
  8. Reject fast fashion: invest in high-quality clothes that don't need to be washed as often and will last longer. This can reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe as a whole.
  9. Dispose of responsibly: when it's time to upgrade your appliances, ensure they are disposed of responsibly. Many retailers offer take-back programs, or you can find a local recycling facility.

Do eco-friendly laundry detergents work?

Eco-friendly laundry detergents work equally well as traditional laundry detergents. Plus, they’re often better for your budget.

What makes a detergent eco-friendly?

A detergent is considered eco-friendly based on several factors:

  1. Biodegradable ingredients: eco-friendly detergents are made with plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally in the environment rather than persisting and causing harm to ecosystems.
  2. No harsh chemicals: they avoid harsh chemicals like phosphates, bleach, and artificial colors that can pollute waterways, harm aquatic life, and cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.
  3. Concentrated formulas: they often come in concentrated formulas, requiring less water to produce and less packaging, which reduces overall environmental impact.
  4. Low sudsing: eco-friendly detergents produce fewer suds, reducing the amount of water required for rinsing.
  5. Energy efficient: they are designed to work effectively in cold water, saving the energy that would otherwise be used to heat water.
  6. Recyclable packaging: they use minimal, recyclable, or compostable packaging to reduce landfill waste.
  7. Cruelty-free: eco-friendly brands often adhere to cruelty-free practices, meaning they don't test their products on animals.
  8. Certification: look for detergents certified by recognized environmental bodies like EcoLogo, Green Seal, or USDA BioPreferred. These certifications ensure that the product meets certain environmental standards.

How can I make my washing machine eco-friendly?

To make your washing machine eco-friendly, use cold water settings, fully load the machine before washing, and use eco-friendly detergents. Also, regularly maintain and clean your machine for efficiency, and consider upgrading to an energy-efficient model if possible.

How does doing laundry affect the environment?

Laundry, particularly water-heating and machine-drying components, consume massive amounts of electricity. Chemical detergents are frequently laced with noxious toxins that are hazardous to both human health and the environment. These chemicals may end up in groundwater, which supplies drinking water and aids in the growth of our food.

How do you make your laundry more sustainable?

The simplest and most effective solution is to wash less. When the machine is turned on, however, set it for colder temperatures and shorter cycles with heavier loads. You'll use less energy and avoid excessive microfiber shedding this way.

What are the differences between top-loading and front-loading washing machines?

Front loaders typically use less energy and water and create less friction, which reduces microfiber shedding. Higher utility bills serve as evidence that top loaders are frequently less expensive to buy but less effective.

Is it better to do smaller loads of laundry?

Fill the washing machine to three-fourths capacity to make the best use of the water and energy used in the laundry while avoiding overloading the machine.

What's the difference between liquid laundry detergents and laundry detergent sheets?

Liquid laundry detergents are traditional cleaning products, typically packaged in plastic bottles, while laundry detergent sheets are a newer, zero waste alternative. These sheets offer the same cleaning power but are more environmentally friendly, coming in recyclable plastic or cardboard packaging.

What is a bio laundry detergent?

A bio laundry detergent uses enzymes to break down stains and dirt. They're often plant-based, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional detergents. Some are even EWG verified, meaning they meet stringent environmental and health criteria.

What is the Climate Pledge and how does it relate to laundry products?

The Climate Pledge is a commitment by companies to become net zero carbon by 2040. Laundry products that adhere to the Climate Pledge are those that work towards this goal, through means such as reducing plastic waste, using plant-based ingredients, and employing energy-efficient manufacturing processes. Our zero waste laundry detergent sheets are an example of a product that aligns with this pledge.

What is the difference between detergent tablets, laundry sheets, and laundry powders?

powders:

  • Detergent tablets are pre-measured units of concentrated laundry detergent. They are easy to use because you just need to toss one into the washing machine with your clothes. They eliminate the need for measuring and the possibility of spills. However, their effectiveness may vary depending on the hardness of your water and the soil level in your clothes.
  • Laundry sheets are ultra-concentrated strips of detergent that dissolve in water. Like tablets, they are pre-measured, easy to use, and spill-proof. They are often designed with eco-friendliness in mind, as they require less packaging and are typically free from harsh chemicals. They are also light and compact, making them convenient for travel.
  • Laundry powders are typically more affordable than other types of detergents. However, they’re more toxic and not environmentally friendly. They can also be more difficult to measure and can leave a residue if not fully dissolved, especially in cold water.

How does natural dish soap fit into eco-friendly household routines?

Just as with laundry, eco friendlydish soap represents a shift towards plant based and biodegradable products. These types of dish soaps reduce the reliance on harsh chemicals and plastic packaging, aligning with the values of a natural laundry routine.

What should I look for in a natural laundry detergent?

A good natural laundry detergent should be plant-based, free from harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, and ideally, come in minimal or recyclable packaging.

What is the EPA Safer Choice criteria?

The Safer Choice Criteria are based on EPA expertise in evaluating the physical and toxicological properties of chemicals, and they go far beyond authoritative lists of chemicals of concern to ensure that Safer Choice products contain only the safest ingredients possible.