During the pandemic, and possibly due to aging, it’s become important to reduce the amount of chemicals and garbage in this house. One has plagued me though, and that’s been how to get the laundry clean while fulfilling current transformation goals.
Over the years, sensitivities to products have become an increasing issue. Powdered soaps had to be stopped before I was out of high school. A brand of liquid would work for a while, but then reactions would happen. It’s been a struggle to find one that wouldn’t make skin dry, itchy, or break out in various types of rashes AND properly clean everything.
A foreign exchange student that stayed with me for about a month had told me that her family uses vinegar to wash clothes. For the past 3 years I started using a little bit of the one laundry detergent that so far hadn’t completely irritated me along with white vinegar. It has done an ok job, but I’ve been going through large bottles of vinegar like crazy since it’s become the go-to base for everything from mop water to weed killer. Adding a half a cup or so to every load of laundry empties a bottle quick.
A business mentor gave a quick review of her experience with Tru Earth laundry strips that she started using in her Tiny home. I have a lot of trust when she says something works, so ordered a year supply right then and there. Oh boy, what had I done?
Turns out they really are as amazing as so many others have proclaimed. Here’s my list of PRO’s and CONS’s.
Pro’s:
1) Space Saver! The box of strips is a lot smaller than the bottle of vinegar plus laundry soap. Clear the clutter!!!!
2) No Residue in my washer. I have a front load HE washer/dryer stacked in my laundry room. Have you ever pulled out the drawer your soap goes in? GROSS! Even with using a lot more vinegar than soap, there would be buildup in the back. So far, I haven’t seen that after using the strips.
3) Cleans and softens. I don’t use dryer sheets anymore, except occasionally on blankets to help with the pet hair issue. Things that go in the dryer get the dryer balls; other things get hung. Everything that has gotten washed with the Tru Earth strips looks and feels cleaner AND is softer.
4) Less mess for clumsy me. I drop things ALL THE TIME which means many messes to clean. I don’t know how many times I dumped soap down the front of the washer onto the floor. Let’s not forget what happens when a bottle of detergent hits the floor. NIGHTMARE! I dropped the box of strips, scattering them out a bit. Easy pick up and no having to scrub things down. Winner-winner chicken dinner!
5) No powerful smell. I did buy lightly scented sheets, but I can’t smell anything on my clothes or blankets.
6) Travel Friendly Laundry Cleaning. Planning a trip? Gonna need to wash clothes while you’re away? This is the perfect travel friendly laundry detergent. No taking up precious space in your wet bag or having to worry about it opening in your checked luggage being tossed around. Put a few sheets in a baggy and you’re good to go.
Con’s:
1) Price. During February, Tru Earth has a sale going on which is why I ordered at the beginning of the month. Even with the sales prices it’s a chunk of change at the beginning. I know over the year I’ll save money, but it did me flinch at how much I spent to “try” it out.
2) Online Ordering with subscription only. It’s amazing that we can go online and order anything and have it shipped right to our doors. However, I do still like to try and support local businesses. Plus, if something happens to the box of strips, like my clumsy self dropping it into the utility sink that’s filling up a mop bucket, I can’t run to the store to buy more. Plus, you have to create an account that automatically signs you up for auto-shipping based on your initial order. You can cancel/change it at any time, but it’s still ANOTHER account you must create.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the leap of faith taken with buying a year supply of laundry cleaning sheets. I would strongly recommend this product, especially if you have sensitivities to other laundry products. I do not have an affiliate account, so won’t get anything if you try them. Here’s the link for you to check them out. Tru Earth Laundry Strips – Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets – Tru Earth Laundry Strips – Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets