19 March 2024
More ecological alternatives to chemical cleaning products
- Chemicals
- Lifestyle
Swap your detergent for plastic-free laundry strips, fair trade soap nuts, a zero-waste laundry ball or choose a refillable detergent: there are many options to make your laundry routine more conscious and environmentally friendly. Sometimes you do daily routines such as washing on autopilot, but these habits can often become more sustainable and have a positive impact on the planet. By choosing more ecological and plastic-free alternatives you can make your washing routine zero waste. Discover our tips for packaging-free washing
Laundry strips: a plastic-free and more ecological alternative for detergent
Did you know that you can do laundry without large plastic bottles that end up in the trash? A plastic-free and more ecological alternative to traditional detergent are laundry strips. With these strips your laundry will be just as clean, but you won’t have to throw anything away. This way you reduce waste and lower your CO2 emissions.
Washing with plastic-free washing strips is very simple: place your clothes in the washing machine, put one or two washing strips (depending on the amount of laundry) in the washing machine and start a normal washing cycle. Besides that it is very convenient, you are also always sure that you use the right amount of detergent, because the washing strips are perfectly portioned. Super easy and better for the environment!
Why would you choose laundry strips instead of liquid detergent? The answer is simple: liquid detergent often consists of 80% water, so using laundry strips reduces unnecessary water transport and you only use the powerful effect of detergent. It also reduces waste and lowers CO2 emissions. Besides this, it is common for liquid detergent to contain harmful chemicals. Therefore, choose not only a plastic-free alternative, but also a more natural and plant-based version of the laundry strip. Below you will find our favourite brands which offer laundry strips for a better washing routine.
YOKUU
Probiotic laundry strips
Discover the probiotic laundry strips by YOKUU. The Belgian brand YOKUU works without aggressive chemicals that damage water quality. But what does it contain? YOKUU’s revolutionary washing strips are made from good bacteria from the Belgian Ardennes. These ‘natural cleaners’ are microscopic particles that break down organic pollution in a natural way. This way you can be sure that your washing routine is natural, zero-waste and 100% plant-based! You can find YOKUU’s zero waste washing strips at KNAP in Hasselt, Zonnehoed in Zwalm, Circuit and Robuust in Antwerp, Blabloom in Genk, the OHNE stores, De Groene Passage in Rotterdam and The Plastic Free Co.
Klaaar
Biodegradable laundry strips
The washing strips from the Belgian brand Klaaar are a more environmentally friendly alternative, because they are free from microplastics, palm oil, preservatives and bleach. They contain only plant-based, 100% biodegradable ingredients and have a refreshing scent! You can find the laundry strips by Klaaar at Kudzu in Bruges.
BRAUZZ
Laundry strips for persistent stains
No stain is too big or dirty for the Belgian brand Brauzz. Besides this, the plastic-free washing strips contain fragrance capsules that adhere to the clothing during washing and are released during friction while wearing your garment. Choose a fresh lavender or sea breeze scent, but you can also go for the odourless variant. Extra tip: combine the washing strips with the stain remover stick for optimal results on persistent stains! You can find the Brauzz laundry strips at Kudzu in Bruges.
Boen
Plastic-free laundry strips
You can also wash without plastic with the Dutch brand Boen. The laundry strips are completely soluble so that they do not leave anything behind in the washing machine. The strips are also easy to dose and suitable for every wash. The laundry strips by Boen are available at The Plastic Free Co.
Choose plant-based, fair trade and zero waste soap nuts
Seepje
Soap nuts have been used daily for centuries as a natural detergent in countries such as India and Nepal. Soap nuts come from the soap nut tree (Sapindus Mukorossi) and are dried after picking. The shell of the soap nuts contains the substance saponins, which creates foam in water, just like soap. The peels themselves are odourless, but by adding essential oils you can ensure that your laundry smells like lavender or pine forest after washing. Discover the plant-based, fair trade and zero waste soap nuts from the Dutch brand Seepje. Using it is simple: the soap nuts come with a cotton bag to put the soap nuts in while washing. Place the bag in the washing machine and start a normal washing cycle. The soap nuts by Seepje are available at Kudzu in Bruges and Blabloom in Genk.
Replace detergent with a zero waste laundry ball
EcoEgg
Another zero waste alternative to liquid detergent is a laundry ball from the English brand EcoEgg. The laundry ball is convenient to use and ensures that you can complete your washing routine without waste. You simply place it in the washing machine and start the washing cycle as normal. The EcoEgg laundry ball contains mineral pellets that start working when they come into contact with water. They break the surface tension of the water, which cleans your clothes. The pellets in the laundry ball last approximately 50 to 120 washes (depending on their size) and can then be refilled with a refill set. Choose a refreshing scent like spring blossoms, fresh linen or go for an odourless variant.
The laundry balls and refill sets by EcoEgg are available at Kudzu in Bruges, Zonnehoed in Zwalm and Blabloom in Genk.
Choose for refillable and more natural detergent
Why would you keep buying new plastic packaging when you can also refill your detergent in a reusable bottle? That’s right, we see no reason for this either. Fortunately, there are many options for refilling detergent from more ecological brands in stores. Curious where this is possible? You can read it below!
Biotop
Are you looking for a concentrated liquid detergent that is also better for the environment? Biotop detergent is suitable for all types of laundry, from coloured to white and for all types of textiles. The best thing is that Biotop offers bulk packaging, so you’ll have less waste. Go for a 5 litre bottle that lasts up to 165 washes. Or take your refillable bottle to zero waste shop Karma Markt in Bruges.
Wallowash
Do you already know the Belgian brand Wallowash? Wallowash offers a wide collection of 100% biodegradable and refillable cleaning products, including detergent. This way you can continue to use liquid detergent without creating unnecessary waste. At OHNE in Ghent you will find a Wallowash refill station. All you need is a refillable bottle and you’re good to go!
Sonett
A pioneer in the field of more environmentally friendly washing is Sonett. The German company was founded in 1977 and made it easier to clean more consciously and better ever since. They also offer an alternative to throwing away plastic bottles: a refill station in store. You can refill your Sonett detergent at Robuust in Antwerp or Tarra Verpakkingsvrij in Dendermonde.
Attitude
Would you like to buy detergent in bulk so that you have less waste? This is possible with Attitude’s concentrated detergent, available at BlaBloom in Genk. Here you can buy a large cardboard package with 4 litres of detergent. This will last for quite a while! These bulk packages from Attitude are also available at Zonnehoed in Zwalm.
Remove stains without washing
Zero waste stain remover
Do you have a stain in your clothes, but does it still smell fresh? It’s a waste to put it straight into the washing machine! Washing takes up a lot of water and during a washing cycle the fibres of your clothes will shred, causing them to wear out faster. It is therefore more environmentally friendly ánd better for your clothing to treat stains locally immediately. You do this with a stain remover stick, preferably one that is as natural as possible.
Discover a varied collection of solid stain removers at Kudzu in Bruges from brands such as Brauzz, Happy Soaps or Seepje. Or choose a handmade coconut soap stain remover at BlaBloom in Genk. At The Plastic Free Co. you will find a very affordable, 100% natural stain remover that helps you remove stains without washing!
Guppyfriend bag: laundry without microplastics
Use a laundry bag
Did you know that about 30% of plastic pollution in the ocean comes from microplastics? These microplastics can be found in clothing, and are released during washing. We therefore recommend washing your synthetic clothing in a Guppyfriend bag. The microplastics are collected in the washing bag and do not end up in the waste water. A small effort to add to your more conscious washing routine, but it has a huge impact on the environment! You can shop the Guppyfriend laundry bags at Kudzu in Bruges.
