I’m always on the hunt for eco-conscious laundry products that actually work AND won’t wreak havoc on my family’s sensitive skin. When Tru Earth offered to send me some of their Laundry Eco-Strips to try out, I was super intrigued to see how they work. Could a strip of paper really clean an entire load of laundry? Short answer: yes. Read on for the long answer, including the “how” and “how well.”
Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips Review
In case it wasn’t clear above, Tru Earth sent me a package of their Eco-Strips to try out in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts with you.
So, let me start by saying that the very fact that I’m writing a 1,500-word review about laundry detergent is a testament to how innovative a product it really is. I’m super picky about what I even accept for review these days, and laundry detergent has to be extremely intriguing to make catch my attention. Little strips of paper that clean your clothes definitely caught my attention.
Tru Earth actually sent me a far more generous package that I was expecting. It may not look like it, but the box in the picture below holds like 160 loads worth of laundry detergent.
How cool is that? Even the shipping package helps save the planet. I mean, can you imagine having 160 loads worth of liquid or powder detergent shipped to you? The box would be huge!
Of course, even the world’s smallest package would be wasteful if what’s inside it doesn’t work, right? So, let’s get to the real reason you’re here: to find out if they’re worth trying. For that answer, we need to look at the pros as well as the cons (because nothing in this world is perfect). First, a very quick overview of what they are, in case you stumbled upon this review and have zero idea what I’m going on about.
What, exactly, are Eco-Strips?
What are Tru Earth Eco-Strips and how on earth does a piece of paper clean your laundry? Per their own words, “Each Tru Earth eco-strip packs ultra-concentrated, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly cleaning power into a tiny, pre-measured strip of detergent that you just toss in the wash.” Sounds pretty straight-forward, right? It really is that simple. You tear off a strip, throw it in the wash, and go do whatever it is you do while waiting for your wash cycle to end.
Pros
Let’s start with what I absolutely love about these nifty laundry strips. Here’s a quick overview for those who like their info in pretty bullet-point format.
- The obvious: it’s far (far, far, far) more eco-friendly than liquid laundry soap. The entire package is zero-waste (you can even compost it).
- Super easy to use– just tear off a strip and throw it in with your clothes.
- Easy to adjust for different load sizes. Use half a strip for a teeny load or two for a ginormous one.
- Works in every type of washing machine, from front to top loads and even HE machines.
- It’s for-real hypoallergenic (like, “certified by independent dermatologists” hypoallergenic).
- It’s paraben-free, phosphate-free, and cruelty-free.
Let’s get into a bit more detail about those pros, shall we?
Eco-friendly
Everything from the packaging to the strips themselves are kinder and gentler on the planet than traditional jugs of laundry detergent. Aside from the carboard box that it arrives in (which is recyclable), Eco-Strips are an absolutely ZERO WASTE laundry detergent. You can even throw the sleeve into your compost heap when you’re done with it. As for the strip itself, it’s roughly the size of a business card.
Skin-friendly
Ever buy a product that claims to be great for sensitive skin only to use it and end up with flaming-red flesh that itches and burns and makes you rue the day you were born? No? Just me? Well, in any case, I can’t promise that no one on the planet will have that type of reaction to Eco-Strips (I’m not a doctor and I don’t make medical claims).
However, I can tell you that Tru Earth actually went through the trouble of asking independent dermatologists to certify that their laundry detergent is hypoallergenic before saying that it is. I can also tell you from experience that neither me nor my son experienced any problems, and we both have what one would call “psychotically sensitive” skin.
Eco-Strips are devoid of all the things that usually cause our skin to go batpoop crazy, like parabens, phosphate, added dyes, bleach and other harsh chemicals. Heck, they’re even free of things I’ve never heard of, like 1,4-dioxane.
You can find a full list of Tru Earth laundry strips ingredients here.
Nose-friendly
If you’re not a fan of laundry soap with so much fragrance that you can smell it two floors away, you’ll love Eco-Strips. While two of the three varieties do have added fragrance, it’s super-duper low-key. If you stick your nose right up to your shirt, you can smell it. Other than that, your clothes just smell clean-clean versus “I just rolled in a field of flowers for an hour” clean.
They also have a Fragrance-Free variety. Keep in mind that fragrance-free is NOT the same thing as “unscented.” The McGill Office for Science and Society has a good explanation of fragrance-free vs. unscented, if you’re curious about the difference. Basically, though, this variety has no added fragrances– either natural or synthetic. It does have a faint aroma from the ingredients. Very, very faint.
Animal-friendly
Animals shouldn’t be harmed just so we can have clean clothes or look prettier. If you agree, you’ll be happy to know that Eco-Strips are entirely vegan-friendly. None of the ingredients are tested on animals. Not by them nor by their suppliers.
And, of course, laundry-friendly
Hypoallergenic cruelty-free laundry detergent is useless if it will destroy your washing machine or leave your clothes all gross and dirty. Eco-Strips are kind and gentle on all types of washing machines.
The strips completely dissolve in both hot and cold water. That’s important because I never wash anything in hot water. Ever. There’s really no need for it, but that’s a whole different conversation.
Most important of all, they work. You put dirty clothes in and take clean clothes out. I don’t really know how much more I can expand on that. I’m not running my clothes under a black light or anything here. I just know that my clothes are at least as clean as they are when I used liquid, pods, and powders.
If you’re more of a “show, don’t tell” type of learner, their video below covers quite a few of the pros (as well as a few others) I just talked about:
Cons
I really didn’t find many cons, and nothing that I’d call a major deal breaker drawback for me. Still, like I said, nothing in this world is 100% perfect.
- Costs more than your average liquid detergent.
- As mentioned above, there is no completely unscented variety.
- Some Amazon customers complained that it didn’t clean their heavily soiled clothes.
We already addressed the whole fragrance-free vs. unscented thing, and I’ll address cost in a moment. Let’s talk about that last one.
So, if you look at the overall reviews and ratings on any of their products on Amazon, you’ll notice that out of thousands of reviews, only about 7% of them fall within the 1-2 star rating. A whopping 70+% are 5-stars, and 22% are in the 3-4 star range.
The biggest complaint from the 1-star people are about the aforementioned scent thing, followed by people complaining that it didn’t fully clean the white socks that they walk around in all day or their heavily soiled work clothes.
Look, I walk around in socks 24-7, year round (yes, even in the summer, it’s a whole big anxiety thing that would take hours to explain). Usually, they’re white knee socks (again, a whole big thing). I’ve yet to find a single detergent that returns my dirty soles to their pristine new condition. Not a single one. Period.
It’s unreasonable to expect ANY laundry detergent that isn’t bleach to completely whiten your dirty, crusty socks. Heck, even bleach sometimes doesn’t do that! Eco-Strips “restore radiant whites” yes, but within reason. They get out tough stains within reason. Like I said earlier, my clothes were as clean as I expected them to be. At least as clean as they get when I use liquid detergent.
So, if you’re expecting impossible miracles, yeah, you’ll be disappointed. If you have logical expectations of a laundry detergent, then you won’t be. Plain and simple.
I’ll address the cost in the where to buy” below.
Tru Earth Laundry Strips Cost + Where to Buy
Short answer: yes, absolutely. The eco-friendliness and hypoallergenic factor alone make it worth trying. However, like I said, it does cost more than the average leading liquid. Don’t worry, though; there are ways to get that cost down.
First, where to buy: You can buy it directly from the Tru Earth store or through Amazon. If you go through Amazon, that’s an affiliate link (which means I make a small commission at no extra charge to you, blah blah blah).
As much as I’d love to tell you to buy through Amazon (so I can get the kickback), honestly, their shop has the better subscription deal. With Amazon’s “Subscribe & Save,” you’ll knock 10-15% off the price. Through their shop, you’ll save 35% if you subscribe. Both options offer no commitment (cancel any time).
It does ship free with Prime on Amazon, but you can also get free shipping through their shop with a subscription. Again, no commitment. If you try it and hate it, you can cancel the subscription. They also offer a money-back guarantee, but with the usual caveats (you have to send it back to them to get your refund).
Buy Eco-Strips on the Tru Earth shop here, or check out the table below for the options on Amazon.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I really want to try these. However, when I have stains on clothes, I pour liquid detergent on the spot and most of the time, it removes the stain. Can’t pour a strip on a stain.
I would still use spray on tough stains. But, to avoid those huge plastic bottles we go through so quickly…I’ll try anything. And, with all the support this company is giving to others, it’s a no-brainer for me. I just don’t buy whites and avoid that whole issue, lol!
Ok..But if you dont buy whites due to fact they dont come clean..surprise!!! Common sense ..your colors and darks are not actually Clean Either..
A small paper box of borax laundry powder can do the same, along with white vinegar. Mix 1 tablespoon of borax to 2 Tablespoons of vinegar. Use a soft toothbrush or you fingers to rub on the stain, inside and outside of fabric. Wash with strip. Voila. All natural stain remover that won’t destroy the planet.
I bought the no scent strips. I don’t think they are getting my clothes fully clean. So I have added vinegar with the strips or I’ve added dr bronner’s liquid soap. I have also washed items 2x using shout on spots. Not sure it’s worth buying again.
Except for that huge vinegar jug
Try using a bit of Dawn dish detergent, I use it on stains!
In my humble experience with Try Earth I have been finding it ruining my clothing. Changes to the texture of my material from t-shirts to cute dresses. Socks look disgusting even a brand new pack that I just bought and washed seem to carry a film.
And the smell of body odor as if the detergent is not properly cleaning.
I really wanted to be a fan of this but my white shirts are now Gray my socks look disgusting keep in mind these were brand new socks and I’m talking about the material not the discoloration but yes discoloration and dirt is an issue.
And simple things like t-shirts and gym gear just do not get clean.
It’s like this funky Bo smell which I’ve never had before and I raised two boys.
I am experiencing the same exact things that you are experiencing. The odor, the film, and also after a few months I’m apparently one of those people that has skin that breaks out and I use the fragrance free.
It makes me a little sad because I so wanted to use these now I’m stuck with an entire Year’s worth of these sheets! I need to at least go in and cancel my subscription so I don’t accidentally purchase another Year’s worth this coming November…
My DIL suggested these to try. I agree, the smell of body odor just is not washing out. I tried two rinses (waste of water!) still body odor comes through. So much so that our closets are starting to give of the smell! I’m using Fabreeze in my linen closet because my towels reek. I’m going back to my Tide.
My DIL suggested these to try. I agree, the smell of body odor just is not washing out. I tried two rinses (waste of water!) still body odor comes through. So much so that our closets are starting to give of the smell! I’m using Fabreeze in my linen closet because my towels reek. I’m going back to my Tide.
I’ve been using Tru Earth since 2020 I think. And lots of my clothes have a smell I cannot get out. It’s started with pyjamas and towels. I’ve been searching to see if this is what others are finding too. It’s a sour blue cheese kind of smell.
I have an Airbnb. The linens there have not developed this smell. They are washed after one or two uses.
If I combine my observations with the ones of exercise clothing, I think that Tru Earth can’t handle items that have been used multiple times and have endured extended period of moisture—towels, pjs, exercise gear.
I have to say I’m very disappointed not with the product, I haven’t tried it yet but with the company generosity. I work at a school in a very impoverished hamlet in Nunavut. Our science teacher approached tru earth to try to get free samples for the community in the hopes of encouraging the community to use a more environmental option for laundry. Free promotion for Tru Earth. At the same time one of the other teachers approached a company that made diva cups and cloth pads to have samples sent up to promote this in the community as well. The teacher who approached the diva cup and pad companies was so supported and received many free cups and pads and shared them with our students and staff who will likely be good customers due to this generous and wise business move. Tru earth said they could not give any samples and so sent nothing. The did say that we could order some and return them if we were not satisfied, missing the whole point. Very disappointed in what seemed to be a very short sighted and in generous decision on their part
I agree if TruEarth really stands behind their product, they should offer some free samples. Their product sounds too good to be true so skeptics (like me) aren’t willing to be burned again. I would pay a couple bucks for postage even to just try it on a few loads before I invest in a subscription.
How do these strips compare to powdered eco-friendly detergent? All of powdered detergent vs. liquid detergent are equally true. Unscented, phosphate free, no harm to animals, etc. Comes in a cardboard box which is recyclable.
I’ve never had issues with BO of gym or work clothes as some mentioned above – I have two 20 something boys and a husband that work out and sweat a lot.
To tell you the truth these sound rather gimmicky.
It’s a little cheaper to buy through Amazon, especially if you have Prime. (Register guilt here.) But there’s a good chance Amazon will ship in non-recyclable plastic. There goes our eco-virtue. I’m going to buy a bunch at once, right from Tru Earth. I’ve been using the strips for several years now. They work well.
My first purchase of the unscented strips was in August, and I just got a new package. I find them totally unscented. They clean the clothes just like regular detergent. I always keep a bottle of Dawn (it is somehow a miracle product), so I will put a drop of that on a bad stain.
I use Dawn on stains too. It is very strong. It releases what ever the stains are. I know it is definitely not environmentally safe and it definite a pollutant for the environment. The problem is that I can’t risk not using Dawn as a stain remover and have my clothes marked for life. I think I will use Borax and vinegar and see how it goes. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and cleaner. Borax has been around since at least I was little and I am 66! Twenty Mule team Borax as the commercial used to say. Bought that when my kids were babies and wore cloth diapers and it got the stains out and they were white and 100% cotton which stains easily and is hard to keep white. All whites are hard to keep white and not have stained after washing.
I keep getting undissolved clumps of the soap strips on my clothes. A nightmare on black. Tired of washing these soap lumps out.
I used them several times at a friend’s house. She had a front loader and I would find it stuck (undissolved) to the window at the front or on the clothes. They might be good for light loads, but I find it doesn’t dissolve and doesn’t wash the clothes/sheets for environmentally friendly full loads.
Add the strip to the detergent dispenser for front load washers. I tear it in small pieces (only takes a couple of seconds) and add enough water to fill the detergent dispenser. Works great!!
I tried putting them in the dispenser too (after finding problems when putting them in directly as TruEarth recommends. I’ve been using the strips for many months now, but I’m finding that the strips don’t totally dissolve and I’m getting such a build-up of black goop that keeps appearing on my whites even after several tub cleans and cleaning the pockets around the drum. I think it’s too much of a build-up of the undissolved stips. I really wanted this to work but I’m also finding my whites are starting to look quite grey. Because I still wanted to use this product (and I have a year’s supply!), I then stopped using it on whites and cold washes, hoping it would dissolve better in hot. However, my next white load would get the dirty gloops again after doing a load of darks with the stips. I’m going to try stopping totally for a month and then see if the problem comes back, but I’m afraid this might not work long-term for front loaders! And this makes me sad 🙁
These are power packed concentrated strips people! I have used them for a couple years and send them to my grandkids in college. Perfect!
From day one I dissolved them in 1/3 cup of water and pour it into my front load detergent tray! Very little effort for a very good product!
I got some the other day to keep on hand for those rare occasions when we run out of our usual detergent … However, we’re on septic and so I’m very apprehensive about using it. Of course, the company says “it’s safe.” I’m wondering though, if anyone has had an issue?
I have a front loader and have not had any of the problems listed here. I use tap cold put the strip directly in the drum, wash as per usual, never had any clumps on darks or whites