With the rise of wellness & sustainability, more and more people are demanding that products are better for them and the environment. This is a massive consumer shift and it also means that the laundry aisle has gotten a lot more crowded.
In addition to the usual liquid laundry detergents - there are pods, sheets, and now tiles. So here's an actual breakdown of what each laundry detergent type is, what it does well, and what it doesn't, because the differences matter more than you think.
Liquid
Liquid detergent is still the most widely used format and it’s easy to understand why. It’s available everywhere, it works in every machine type, it’s effective and most of all - it’s what people are already used to.
That being said, the big downside is the plastic waste. Most liquid detergents come in a bulky plastic jug that likely won’t end up getting recycled and will persist in our environment for hundreds of years. The liquid also makes it heavier to ship, which increases its carbon footprint.
Last but not least, it’s messy and easy to use much more than you actually need. That means you go through it faster and end up creating even more waste. Even though the cost per load is reasonable for liquid detergents, it adds up when you factor in overuse and spills.
Pods
Each laundry pod is a pre-measured single dose, which means there’s no mess or no overuse. This took the bulky jug out of the equation and also added a lot of convenience.
But pods have a plastic problem that most people don’t even realize. The outer film that holds the pod together is made from PVA, also known as polyvinyl alcohol, which is a petroleum-derived plastic. It dissolves in water, but dissolving isn't the same as disappearing. PVA breaks into tiny particles that move from your laundry cycle and into the environment. Studies have found that a meaningful portion of those PVA particles pass through water treatment plants and end up in waterways as microplastics.
The cost per load for pods is typically higher than liquid, and there's no flexibility if you want to adjust the dose for a smaller (or bigger) load.
Laundry Sheets
Detergent sheets were the next innovation in the laundry category. Similar to pods, there is no plastic jug which is a huge win. Sheets are also very lightweight and packed flat, making them easy to ship and store.
But laundry sheets have the same plastic problem as pods. And just because there’s no plastic wrapper doesn’t mean it’s plastic-free…because the plastic is the sheet itself. Most laundry sheets are coated in PVA in order to hold the detergent together as a sheet. This is why you’ll often see “plastic-free packaging” on laundry sheet packs, because what’s inside contains PVA.
Although sheets are single-dose, they do have the advantage over pods because you can tear them in half for smaller loads. However, the effectiveness of laundry sheets is also mixed. Some work well in warm water but have trouble dissolving completely in colder water.
Laundry Tiles
Tiles are the latest innovation in laundry - and Loop tiles are unique in that they are 100% plastic-free. Each Loop tile is a lightweight tile with a foam-like texture. Just put one directly into the drum before adding your clothes and wash as usual.
We use plant-based ingredients and powerful enzymes to lift away stubborn stains, protect your fabrics, and keep them whiter and brighter, naturally…all without PVA.
And just like sheets, a Loop laundry tile can be cut in half for smaller loads, giving you more flexibility.
On cost per load, Loop tiles are generally more than liquid detergent but without the waste that comes from plastic jugs & overpouring or the environmental cost that comes from PVA.
So how do they actually compare?
How to check what's in your current detergent
If you want to look up whether your pods or sheets contain PVA, here's what to look for on the ingredients list:
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Polyvinyl alcohol
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PVOH
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PVA
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Ethenol, homopolymer
The bigger picture
More than 20 billion pods & sheets are used every year, and most households run hundreds of laundry loads a year. It’s a habit that’s already built into our routines and into the rhythms of our homes, which is exactly why a simple switch to Loop laundry tiles can make such a big impact.
