Going Green With Laundry
Doing the laundry is a daily affair for most and we come into such close contact with the fabrics that go into wash. Yet, not many people pause to check the ingredients that make up the laundry detergent they use, and consider the impact of such detergent on their health as well as the environment.
While doing our research on suitable detergents that will give French linen sheets the best results, we made it a point to look for natural detergents that do not contain harmful chemicals, so they are gentle on the environment and safe for you and your family. It was with all these in mind that we put our French linen sheets to the test with different types of eco-friendly detergents. After a few months of experimentation, we have put together a list of our recommended eco-friendly laundry detergents.
These liquid detergents are derived from plant-based ingredients, so they are gentle on your linen sheets, thereby preserving the strength of the natural fibers of the sheets. We found that they also leave your sheets feeling soft after each wash, a result we could not quite achieve with the non-plant based detergents we tried. When we placed our linen sheets to the test with non-plant based detergents, our linen sheets came out of the wash feeling stiffer than usual. That was when we figured that such detergent products, which are not naturally derived, contain a certain amount of chemicals that are more likely to leave behind a residue. We were then even more convinced of the benefits of switching over to a natural plant-based detergent especially for natural fabrics such as linen.
If you haven’t given natural detergents a go, we hope that this article will motivate you to make the switch, because this switch will have a powerful impact on both your health and the environment.
Here we go!
1) Soapnut Republic Laundry Liquid with Lemongrass
Soapnut Republic was founded by parents who believed home cleaning products needed to be safe for use. The magic in the laundry liquid is apparently in a little berry called Soapnut. The laundry detergent is made of a blend of soapnut berry extract (which helps to naturally soften fabric and retain colours), lemongrass essential oil and tea tree essential oil (which naturally disinfect the laundry).
What we love: The idea of a natural disinfectant in the form of the essential oils, which leaves a mild scent after wash. We also love the initiative of having refill locations where one can get refills for your laundry liquids. Such refill locations are currently pop-up based but word has it that a permanent refill location will be set up soon!
Where to buy: Soapnut Republic Website
Price: $25 for a 1L bottle and $23.75 if you opt for the auto-replenish option which allows you to pre-schedule delivery of the laundry liquid at your desired intervals.
2) Green Kulture Laundry Liquid
Green Kulture is a homegrown brand founded by a father of two young children, established with the objective of promoting a healthier lifestyle by making natural cleaning solutions more affordable and therefore, accessible to all. The laundry liquid is made from natural fruit and vegetable enzymes and the solution is biodegradable.
What we love: The fact that we can do our part for the environment and support a local brand at the same time, at a price which is competitive. We also love the idea that we can get detergent refills as and when required at the two refill locations in Singapore.
Where to buy: Green Kulture Website and RedMart
Price: $9.65 for a 1L bottle and $54.99 for a case of six 1L bottles
3) Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid (Water Lily and Honeydew)
Ecover originates from Belgium and prides itself on its range of plant-based cleaning products which work effectively while respecting the health and wellbeing of both its customers and the planet. A fun fact is that the products are manufactured in a factory in Belgium which is known to be ecologically built, with a living plant roof which provides insulation, so there is no need for heating or air conditioning. As this laundry liquid is made for delicate fabrics, it’s great for those who would like to give their linen sheets a little more tender loving care.
What we love: How the bottles are made from 75% Plantplastic (derived from sugar cane) and 25% post consumer recycled plastic) so these are 100% recyclable and renewable. Although it comes at a steeper price point, the wash results do not disappoint and the sheets do come out of the wash feeling soft and fresh, with a lovely fruity scent.
Where to buy: Ecover Website and Redmart
Price: $10.90 for a 750ml bottle
4) Bio-Home Laundry Detergent Delicate
Bio-home laundry detergent is part of the range of eco-friendly home cleaning solutions by homegrown heritage brand, Lam Soon. The laundry detergent is made from biodegradable and renewable plant-based active ingredients and contains Silk Protein, a natural ingredient which nourishes dry and sensitive skin, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin and for babies. It is also suitable for delicate fabrics.
What we loved: The fresh hyacinth and nectarine scent, which greets you the moment you're done with your laundry. We also love the 100% recyclable bottle and the competitive pricing, which makes it more sustainable to switch to this product in the long run. Most of all, we love that it’s suitable for indoor drying (a must in a climate like ours).
Where to buy: Fairprice and Redmart
Price: $11.90 for a 1.5L bottle
5) TLC Green Laundry Detergent
TLC which stands for Truly Loving Community, is a Malaysian based social enterprise that was founded upon the idea of having everyone support charities as they go about their daily household chores. Based on its website, 100% of the dividends are donated to its charity partners. The TLC Green Laundry Detergent is a plant based formula that is biodegradable which contains an anti bacterial agent that fights against germs.
What we love: That our investment in an eco-friendly product is also going towards helping a list of charities, at a price which is competitive and sustainable in the long run. We also love the lovely scent which lingers on after wash.
Where to buy: Redmart
Price: $13.90 for a 2L bottle
