Whether you want to simplify laundry day or live a more sustainable life, you probably have questions about the eco-friendly laundry strips you have heard so much about. And we’re thrilled to be able to answer them all in this series. First things first, if you missed Part 1, check it out before continuing along. Get to know the ingredients, the problem with regular detergent and pods, and how laundry strips reduce your carbon footprint. Once you’ve got the basics, let’s begin. Here’s Part 2 of Your Laundry Strip Questions Answered:
It’s the false choice consumers are faced with every time they shop for household products. Cleaning power — or a clean planet? The fact is, despite the prevailing belief that you need harsh chemicals to truly combat dirt and grime, you can have both. Better yet, when you opt for the eco-friendly alternative, you’re also limiting your family’s exposure to harmful toxins known to impact human health.
If you’ve never tried SaltyLama’s laundry strips but are curious about making the switch to a safe, potent alternative to traditional chemical detergents, we understand your skepticism. How can a featherweight strip of bio-based detergent — in thin biodegradable packaging, no less — possess the same strength as the traditional liquids and powders we have become accustomed to? Glad you asked. We have the answer to that question — and more — that should help address any concerns our eco-friendly formula isn’t as effective or powerful as those chemical-based brands.
1. Are laundry strips tough enough to tackle dirt and stains?
Again, we get it. How can such a small strip clean a load of laundry when we have been conditioned to believe only a heavy jug of liquid or powder can get the job done? But that’s just marketing — not science. Thanks to our highly concentrated, plant-based formula, each strip still contains stain-busting enzymes — without the harsh chemicals. Meaning? It still binds to dirt and oil to dissolve and destroy grime. Send your clothes through the wash and you’ll be pleased with the results. You’ll get clean and fresh laundry without any trace of residue — from dirty babywear to coffee spots, working just as well (if not better!) than regular laundry detergent. If your laundry is extremely dirty, you can use two strips to deliver a thorough wash.
2. How do you use laundry strips?
Once you know the tremendous environmental benefits of using laundry strips rather than traditional detergents — from the safe ingredients compared to the toxic chemical alternatives to how they can effortlessly reduce your carbon footprint — then it’s only natural to ask: how difficult are they to use? Because conventional wisdom always seems to be: the better for the planet it is, the more work it us for us. Not so this time. In fact, one of the many pros of switching to our eco-friendly strips is their simplicity. Here are the basics:
- For a medium to large laundry load — the most common — a single strip will do. Just rip it off along the perforated line.
- For a small to medium load, rip one of the strips in half.
- For a large load, use two strips.
For a top loader, add your dirty laundry then place the strip(s) on top where the water enters the machine. This ensures the strip efficiently dissolves before the cleaning process begins. For a front-loading machine, either place it in the drum with your clothes or add it to the compartment where you would normally add your liquid detergent. That’s it! Your SaltyLama laundry strips will take it from there. And once the load has run its course, either place them into the dryer with a wool dryer ball for best results, or hang-dry your items instead.
3. I really don’t have to measure how much to use?
No — seriously! We have done the math for you. No messy spills or measuring cups you ignore anyway. Just tear off a single strip down the easy-to-rip perforated line. One strip equals one load. Measuring out the amount is that easy. Here is the rule of thumb:
- A small load is typically anything under 6 lbs., or just a handful of items.
- A medium/regular load is an easy armload or roughly 11 lbs. of clothes.
- For a large load, this is a very full armload or around 21 lbs. Anything over that, or bulky items like comforters and pillows, can be considered extra-large.
4. What do they smell like? Is there a scentless option?
SaltyLama laundry strips come in a variety of scents. Fresh Scent, for example, is perfect for anyone looking for that fresh, clean scent. It embodies that traditional aroma of freshly washed laundry, while still being specially designed for sensitive skin. Baby Blossom, meanwhile, is a delicate scent that will leave your clothes smelling fantastic without any overbearing aromas like many alternative detergents create. If you prefer your laundry detergent to be scentless, then Fragrance Free is a great choice. Your clothes will come out squeaky clean with the option to add essential oils in the wash or your favorite laundry spray afterward.
5. Can I wash clothes by hand with laundry strips?
Yes, absolutely! This is a great way to tend to the most delicate of items, particularly silk, or to really tackle sustainable living. Our laundry strips make it easy. For hand washing, you can use a wash basin, your sink, or a bathtub. You need to fully submerge your garments in water, so the sink is ideal for small batches of laundry like undergarments and a shirt or two and the tub is best for larger washes.
Pour water into a basin of your choice, then add SaltyLama laundry strips. The strips will dissolve in seconds and the washing process can begin. From there, submerge your garments in the soapy water and allow them soak (but check your tags because some items shouldn’t soak). Let them soak anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on how soiled they are. You can also use a washboard or gently rub the items together to help the cleaning process along.
Rinse each item individually, ensuring no more bubbles or dirt. Be careful when wringing out the items so you don’t damage the fabrics. Gently twist or scrunch the items to rinse them. Then, either hang them on a clothesline or pop them in the dryer. You can even place them in the dryer just until they are no longer soaked and then hang-dry from there. This is more sustainable than fully drying them in the dryer.
Want to know before about handwashing with laundry strips? Here’s the full scoop on washing your clothes by hand with SaltyLama laundry strips.
Now that we have finished talking about how tough our eco-friendly laundry strips are on dirt and grime, come back for Part 3 when we’ll discuss everything from managing your budget to why SaltyLama is the perfect brand for animal lovers.