The Future of Laundry: A Review of Tru Earth’s Eco-Friendly Strips

Say goodbye to bulky plastic jugs of traditional detergents. Tru Earth's eco-strips offer a convenient, plastic-free, and eco-conscious alternative to doing laundry.
Debbie Wolfe Avatar
Several unopened packages of Tru Earth laundry sheets on a table before testing.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

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Most laundry practices involve using liquid detergents or pods, leading to the discharge of chemicals and microfibers into our water system. While detergent pods offer eco-friendly benefits like less packaging and exact dosing, their biodegradability and environmental effects are concerning. Enter laundry strips—the future of detergent delivery.

Tru Earth offers a sustainable alternative to traditional laundry detergents with eco-friendly Eco-Strips. These detergent sheets are thin, ultraconcentrated, and premeasured. They dissolve quickly in all water temperatures, working in any washing machine. Committed to eco-friendly practices, Tru Earth ensures its strips are free from dyes, parabens, and phosphates, keeping them safe for both the environment and consumers. They are hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin, and vegan-friendly. The packaging is 100 percent plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable.

I tested the Eco-Strips in Fresh Linen, Lilac Breeze, and Fragrance-Free scents. I used them on various fabrics, including delicates such as wool. I used the strips primarily in the washing machine and for hand-washing during testing. Eco-Strips effectively removed stains and left my laundry smelling fresh.

Tru Earth Eco-Strips: At a Glance

Rating: 9/10

A package of 32 Tru Earth laundry detergent eco-strips before testing.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

SPECS

  • Type: Strips
  • Wash capacity: 1 small load per strip
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes

PROS

  • Free of harmful parabens, phosphates, and dyes
  • Performs well in removing stains and dirt, offering a clean comparable to traditional liquid or powder laundry soap​​
  • Compact, premeasured strip design is easy to use and saves space

CONS

  • More expensive than many traditional laundry detergent options, which could be a deterrent for some consumers

Get the Tru Earth laundry detergent at:

What are Tru Earth Eco-Strips?

Tru Earth Eco-Strips are eco-friendly laundry detergent solutions that reduce environmental impact. They are ultraconcentrated; hypoallergenic; and come in premeasured, liquidless strips. These strips easily dissolve in any water temperature and are suitable for all types of washing machines.

The compact design of Tru Earth Eco-Strips is space-efficient and significantly reduces their carbon footprint due to less transportation weight and the lack of plastic jugs, making them a smarter and more sustainable choice for laundry detergent. The packaging contains no plastic and is 100 percent recyclable. The strips are available in Fresh Linen, Lilac Breeze, and Fragrance-Free.

A person holding two small strips of True Earth laundry detergent strips before using them in testing.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

Efficiency and Cleaning Power

Tru Earth Eco-Strips impressed me with their cleaning power. These strips dissolve effortlessly in any water temperature, ensuring a straightforward laundry process without the hassle of measuring. Each strip measures 2 inches wide by 3 5/8 inches long and comes in a perforated sheet of two.

To use, simply tear off a strip and drop it into the wash. After the wash cycle, I noticed no detergent residue on my clothes, and I used the strips in cold and warm water. The strips did a decent job lifting set-in stains, like coffee and red clay, from kitchen towels and white socks, but it didn’t eliminate them. They also leave a mild scent on the laundry when wet, but it is virtually eliminated once it goes into the dryer. If you prefer a heavier scent, these strips will disappoint.

Hypoallergenic and Skin-Friendly

Tru Earth Eco-Strips are a great choice for health-conscious individuals who care about their skin. These laundry strips are hypoallergenic, making them less likely to cause skin irritations than other detergents containing harsh chemicals. This feature is particularly beneficial for families with young children or members who have sensitive skin.

Although nobody in my family has skin sensitivities, I have experienced slight skin irritation when using cleaners with harsh chemicals. However, none of the laundry I washed with Eco-Strips caused skin irritation.

Ease of Use and Storage

Tru Earth Eco-Strips laundry detergent is an innovative and easy-to-use product that stands out from traditional liquid and powder detergents. These strips eliminate the need for measuring or potential spillage, making the laundry process quick and hassle-free. The strips even make it easy for my kids to do laundry without overusing or spilling detergent.

One of the greatest advantages of Tru Earth Eco-Strips is their compact size. Each strip is a small premeasured sheet, requiring significantly less packaging than traditional laundry detergent containers. This basic packaging saves considerable shelf space and makes it a practical choice for those with smaller homes or for minimizing clutter in laundry areas. Additionally, the packaging is plastic-free and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly alternative that supports a sustainable lifestyle by reducing single-use plastics.

A person holding a square True Earth laundry detergent sheet before using it in testing.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila

Cost Considerations

Considering the cost when deciding whether to purchase Tru Earth Eco-Strips is important. These strips are typically more expensive than many conventional detergents, which may make them less appealing to budget-conscious consumers despite their environmental and health benefits.

I typically wash a large load of laundry, so I have to use three strips per load. Depending on where you purchase the strips, it comes to about 50 cents per strip or $1.50 per load (Amazon’s current price is $14.39 for a 32-strip package). At that rate, one package of Eco Stirps will only clean about 11 loads. My household has four members, so we can easily do four to six loads of laundry per week, which means we can potentially use up to 18 strips a week.

Should you buy Tru Earth Eco-Strips?

I think the convenience factor of Tru Earth Eco-Strips is its best feature. They are premeasured, eliminating the need for guessing or accidental overuse, a common issue with traditional detergents. This ensures that each strip is used to its full potential, with no waste, making the cost per load more efficient in the long run. Moreover, their compact nature makes them easy to store and therefore ideal for small homes, unlike bulky containers that occupy valuable storage space.

Tru Earth Eco-Strips offer a commendable blend of eco-friendliness, convenience, and health benefits. Although the strips may cost more per load than other liquid and powder detergents, I think it’s worth the added cost for ease-of-use and environmental peace of mind.

Where to Buy the Tru Earth Eco Strips

Get the Tru Earth laundry detergent at:

Meet the Tester

Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.