Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Strips FAQ

Q- Where do I place the Detergent Strips in my front-load High Efficiency (HE) washing machine?

A- For best results, here are the recommended instructions for adding Strips to your washer:

  1. Detach a strip
  2. Top-load washer: place strip inside washer.
    Front-load washer: place strip in detergent dispenser (tear strip into smaller pieces if necessary).
  3. Add clothes and start washer.
We also recommend that you place the Strip in the detergent dispensing compartment of front-load machines. If the compartment is small or shallow, tear the strip into smaller pieces so they fit neatly in the dispensing compartment. If your washer has separate detergent compartments for pre-wash and main wash cycles, we recommend that you place part of the Strip in each compartment. Simply follow the instructions from your washing machine manufacturer and use Strips as you would any liquid or powder detergent.

For all washers, the Strips can also be placed directly in the washer, on the bottom of the drum before adding clothes.

Some newer HE machines use very little water and it is possible, in rare instances, that the Strips can get wrapped up in clothes before it gets wet enough to dissolve completely. Consumers report the same occasional issue with uni-dose liquid pack detergents.  These Strips have the advantage that they can be placed in the dispensing compartment where the flow of water at the start of the filling cycle dissolves the strip.

Q- How much is shipping and handling?

A- Free! We want to make these strips as accessible as possible. We keep our shipping costs low by using the United States Postal Service and minimal packaging for all deliveries.  

Q- How long will it take to receive my shipment

A- All packages are shipped via USPS from Medford, Oregon.  Depending where you are located, shipping can take up to 5 days to arrive, but typically come within 2-3 business days from the actual ship date.  

Q- Why don't these produce many suds?

A- In modern laundry detergents, the amount of suds produced does not relate to cleaning power. High Efficiency (HE) washing machine manufacturers recommend the use of low-sudsing detergent formulations that are specifically designated as HE-compatible.  They use a special, patent-pending low-sudsing formulation that is HE-compatible and effective for all other types of washing machines. Other detergents that produce lots of suds typically include suds-producing agents that do not enhance cleaning power – they are added mainly for appearance purposes.

 

Q- How many strips should I use?

A- 1 Strip = 1 Load

In most situations, one strip is recommended for one load of laundry. A standard single load is considered to be 3 to 5 kg of dry laundry that is lightly soiled and washed in moderately hard water. As with any detergent, you may want to increase the amount of detergent used if your water is very hard, the load extra soiled, or your load size is extra large. Simply add a second or third strip depending on your situation. Unlike other uni-dose detergent packs, you have the flexibility to tear a strip in half for very small loads or hand-washing.

 

Q- Can they be used on natural wool?

A- With special care, the strips can be safely used for hand-washing some wool fabrics but we always recommend that consumers follow the specific washing and detergent recommendations of each clothing manufacturer. Wool fabric manufacturers usually recommend dry-cleaning or hand-washing wool with specific cleaners. They may be used for hand-washing if care is taken to fully dissolve the strip in water prior to adding the wool clothes. 

 

Q- Are they good to use on natural silk?

A- We do not recommend washing silk fabrics. We recommend that consumers follow the specific washing and detergent recommendations of each clothing manufacturer. Most silk fabric manufacturers usually recommend dry-cleaning or hand-washing silk with specific cleaners. 

 

Q- Are they good to use on cloth diapers?

A- These detergent strips are safe for 100% cotton cloth diapers but we always recommend that consumers follow the specific washing and detergent recommendations of each clothing manufacturer.

Unlike most leading brand liquid detergents, they will not affect the absorbency of the cloth and is hypoallergenic. However, many modern cloth diapers also contain some combination of synthetic materials and glues in their support structure. Depending on the materials used, they (and other detergents) may affect the strength and durability of that support structure.

 

Q- Are detergent strips good to use on technical sports clothes that contain special synthetic moisture-wicking fabric?

A- They are safe for most synthetic fabrics but we always recommend that consumers follow the specific washing and detergent recommendations of each clothing manufacturer.

Most fabric softeners and many liquid detergents contain cationic surfactants or solvents that can impair the wicking properties of specific fabrics after multiple washes. These detergent strips is safe for most synthetic fabrics because it does not contain cationic surfactants or solvents.

 

Q- What is the shelf life of of the laundry detergent strips?

A- We recommend they be used within three years of purchase. That is a much longer than the six to twelve months shelf life recommended for most leading-brand liquid and powder detergents.

 

Q- Are detergent strips septic safe?

A- Yes, they are safe to use even if you are on a septic system.

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