Do Laundry Detergent Sheets Contain Plastic?

Recently laundry detergent sheets have become a very popular choice and I for one have made the switch from powder and liquid detergents. These eco-friendly sheets have transformed how I do my laundry but there are now claims that laundry sheets contain plastic, so what is the truth?

Researchers have found that some laundry detergent sheets do contain plastic. This is a huge concern for products that claim to be environmentally friendly so when buying laundry sheets ensure you avoid products that include plastic polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl alcohol.

Concerned with the thought of literally washing plastic or microplastics down my drain I needed to know the truth and so I did quite a lot of research. Below is what I found out.

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What Are Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry detergent sheets are a fairly new concept.

Essentially they are a sheet that contains the detergent that is placed in your washing machine as a direct replacement for your normal laundry detergent.

These sheets are designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to use and they often come in dissolvable or water-soluble formats.

They offer quite a few benefits over traditional powder and liquid alternatives including being able to get the right dose of detergent, compact packaging and easy storage.

One benefit I love is the fact that they eliminate the need for bulky plastic bottles or containers – a big plus if like me you are trying to get to a zero-waste lifestyle.

The promise of reducing plastic waste is at the top of the manufacturer’s reasons to buy their products but if we look past the reduction in plastic bottle waste, do the actual sheets contain plastic?

What Are Laundry Sheets Made From

For me to get to the bottom of whether laundry sheets contain plastic I needed to first examine what they are made of.

As a general rule laundry sheets consist of several key ingredients:

• Surfactants
• Enzymes
• Fragrances
• Stabilizers

Surfactants, which facilitate the removal of dirt and stains, are essential components of any detergent.

Laundry Sheets and Microplastics

From the information I found the main concern is around microplastics.

We are all aware of these tiny pieces of plastic, often less than a few millimetres in size, that are found in various products due to their widespread use in manufacturing.

In the case of laundry detergent sheets, microplastics could potentially be used as binding agents or stabilizers.

What I found out was not great news.

Researchers have indeed found that some detergent sheets do contain plastic polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl alcohol.

These polymers can serve multiple functions, from enhancing the sheet’s structure to improving its dissolvability.

It’s actually Polyvinyl Alcohol sometimes referenced as PVA or PVOH that’s most common in laundry sheets.

With this in mind, it could be that by using laundry detergent sheets we are contributing to plastic pollution as they make their way into water bodies and ecosystems.

What is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

If the worrying ingredient is PVA, what exactly is it and can we consider it environmentally friendly in the case of laundry detergent sheets?

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic polymer and is created through the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate, which is the polymer used in making adhesives like the white glue we know from our childhood.

PVA has a couple of important properties for laundry sheets

1. It’s water-soluble.
2. It is considered biodegradable under certain conditions.

PVA is derived from petrochemical sources, but its biodegradability is attributed to its water-solubility, which allows it to break down in the presence of water and microorganisms.

It is important to note that the rate of degradation can vary depending on factors such as the specific formulation of PVA, environmental conditions, and the presence of appropriate microorganisms.

So Where Does This Leave Us?

It’s going to come down to checking product labelling.

Looking for terms like “polyethylene,” “polypropylene,” or “microplastics” could indicate the presence of plastic in the product and really should be avoided.

Opting for products that proudly declare their PVA or plastic-free status or use alternative, biodegradable materials clearly offers us the best choice.

Common FAQs

Do Washing Machines Filter Microplastics?

As a general rule washing machines don’t effectively filter out microplastics. Tiny plastic particles from synthetic fabrics can escape with wash water, entering water bodies and impacting ecosystems. Solutions involve better fabric design, microfiber filters, and sustainable laundering practices.

Conclusion

In my opinion, laundry detergent sheets bring a hassle-free and eco-friendly approach to modern household laundry but we do need to ensure that we don’t adopt products that could leach microplastics into our waterways.

An informed buying decision is critical to ensure you get the right brand that addresses microplastic concerns and I hope this article has gone some way to ensuring you have the right information to hand and know exactly what to look for.

It’s also worth remembering other zero-waste alternatives do exist such as the many laundry detergent refills now on the market.

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