|

Laundry & Dishwashing Products I’ve Tried

Simply Plastic Free contains affiliate links. Some products and services linked to from this blog post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read the disclaimer for more information
Simply Plastic Free contains affiliate links. Some products and services linked to from this blog post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read the disclaimer for more information

My Top Picks for Travellers, Space Savers and Full-time Vanlifers.

If you’ve ever packed for a camping trip, travelled in a caravan or embraced vanlife, you’ll know how quickly bulky cleaning products can fill your storage space. Large bottles of laundry liquid, washing powder and dishwashing detergent aren’t just bulky, they are also heavy to carry and often come in single-use plastic packaging.

Over time, I’ve tried a range of low-waste laundry and dishwashing products to see how they fit into life in a van. Here are my honest reviews of each, what I liked, what could be better and how they worked for me on the road.

Jump to: Soapberries · Laundry & Dishwashing Sheets

Biome Laundry Liquid Concentrate Bar

My quick take: I like the approach of adding water at home and reusing a container or jar.

The Biome concentrate bar lets you prepare laundry liquid by adding water according to the instructions. I like being able to reuse a suitable container rather than buying another bottle each time.

In a van, space, water and weight all matter. The solid bar takes up little room, once mixed, you still have a bottle of liquid to carry and store.

Biome Laundry Concentrate Bar

Lightweight before mixing. You’re carrying the concentrate without the water that comes in ready-made laundry liquid.
Compact to store. The unmixed bar takes up less cupboard space than a full bottle.
Reuses a container or jar. A suitable bottle with a secure lid can be used again.
Potential for smaller batches. If the instructions allow it, preparing only what you need could reduce how much mixed liquid you store.

Weight after mixing. Every litre of water added weighs approximately one kilogram, plus the concentrate and container or jar. That matters when managing your van’s payload.
Where the water comes from. Using water already in your tank moves that weight into a bottle, it doesn’t add the same weight again. Mixing with water collected elsewhere adds to what your van carries.
Limited water supplies. Preparing detergent uses water separate from the water needed for washing. Access to water can be limiting.
Storage and leaks. The finished liquid needs space in a securely closed, clearly labelled container that can withstand movement on the road.
Preparation time. It needs mixing and any dissolving time specified in the instructions.

Overall, I think this is a great option for anyone looking for a sustainable approach to laundry. Whether you live in a van, an apartment or a family home, the concentrate offers a practical way to reuse a container and reduce reliance on ready-made bottles of laundry liquid. It’s about finding an option that suits your space, routine and everyday needs.

Explore Biome Laundry Concentrate Bar

Soapberries for Laundry

My quick take: compact to carry and reusable across several washes, but a little messy to handle.

Soapberries—also called soap nuts—were one of those products that made me wonder how I hadn’t heard of them before. I enjoyed trying something different from conventional laundry detergent.

I’ve used around five or six berries inside a small reusable mesh bag in the washing machine, as directed by the instructions. Being able to reuse them for several loads was something I particularly liked.

For vanlife, the dry berries take up little cupboard space, and there’s no bottle of liquid to carry or worry about leaking. However, after washing, you have a damp bag of berries to deal with. Finding somewhere suitable for them between washes is worth considering when space is limited.

Soapberries for Laundry

Compact storage. A small bag fits easily among my laundry supplies.

No liquid bottle. There’s no prepared detergent adding extra liquid weight to carry. Multiple uses. The berries can be reused according to the product instructions.

A reusable washing bag. It keeps the berries together rather than loose among my clothes.

They can be sticky. I prefer using little tongs when handling them. Wash your hands afterwards, I learnt that lesson after accidentally putting my fingers near my mouth!
Storage between washes. Follow the supplier’s drying and storage instructions, particularly before packing them away in the van.
Keeping track of use. It helps to remember how many washes they’ve been through and when they need replacing.
Your washing needs. I wouldn’t assume they’ll suit every load, especially heavily soiled clothing or washing with specific hygiene requirements.

Want to give Soapberries a try

Laundry and Dishwashing Sheets

My quick take: lightweight, compact and easy to carry. Some practical benefits when you live in a van.

Cupboard space and carrying weight matter when your home is on wheels. Laundry and dishwashing sheets take up little room. No heavy liquids to store.

Lucent Globe Laundry & Dishwashing Sheets

My quick take: easy to store, lightweight to carry and effective in my everyday washing.

I purchased Lucent Globe’s laundry and dishwashing sheets to try them for myself. Both have worked well for me. The convenience of the laundry sheets is what I particularly appreciate.

When it’s time to visit the laundromat, I can pop the sheets I need into my laundry bag and head off. There’s no bulky detergent bottle to carry there and back, just clean clothes to bring home.

Living in a van makes those little conveniences valuable. The sheets take up very little cupboard space, weigh next to nothing compared with a bottle of liquid and are easy to keep among my laundry supplies.

The dishwashing sheets have also worked well in my experience. Together, the two products have been a practical way to reduce the space occupied by my cleaning supplies.

Filthy Clean Laundry & Dishwashing Sheets

My quick take: the laundry sheets have worked well, and using half a dishwashing sheet gave me a better result.

I was gifted Filthy Clean’s laundry and dishwashing sheets to try. Like Lucent Globe, their compact size and light weight have been useful for life in a van.

I love being able to put laundry sheets straight into my laundry bag before heading to the laundromat. It keeps the trip simple, without another bottle to carry or find room for afterwards.

My first experience with the dishwashing sheets needed a little adjustment. They didn’t initially clean as well as I wanted and left some residue behind.

I tried reducing the amount to half a sheet, and that worked a treat for my washing setup. The result was much better. That’s my personal experience rather than a dosing recommendation for everyone, check the instructions for your product and washing method.

Both brands have shown me why sheets appeal to people with limited storage. My experience of their convenience and cleaning performance is separate from the PVA considerations behind my decision about repurchasing.

A Note About PVA

Compact packaging is one part of the sustainability picture. These sheets contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water-soluble synthetic polymer that helps hold them together.

Dissolving in water and biodegrading are different processes. I’m not comfortable with the uncertainty around how completely PVA breaks down after use, and that has influenced my decision not to repurchase the sheets.

That’s my personal choice. Understanding the ingredients and trade-offs can help you decide what fits your own priorities.

Read more about PVA →

Detergent Sheets

Lightweight to carry. Both brands save me carrying bulky bottles of liquid detergent—something I appreciate when managing weight in the van.
Compact storage. The sheets take up very little cupboard space and fit easily among my cleaning supplies.
Easy laundromat trips. I can pop the laundry sheets I need into my washing bag. Afterwards, it’s just clean clothes to bring home.
Good cleaning results. Both brands’ laundry sheets have worked well for me. Lucent Globe’s dishwashing sheets have also cleaned well in my experience.

Some adjustment was needed. Filthy Clean’s dishwashing sheets initially left residue and didn’t clean as well as I wanted. Using half a sheet worked much better for my setup. Follow the product instructions for yours.
Keep them dry. Storage away from splashes and moisture matters, especially near the van’s sink.
Cost depends on usage. Check how much you need for your usual washing load when working out the cost per wash.
PVA remains a consideration for me. Although I value the convenience, uncertainty around PVA’s environmental breakdown has influenced my decision not to repurchase sheets once I’ve finished my current supplies.

Explore Lucent Globe
Explore Filthy Clean

What Works for Life on the Road

Laundry and dishwashing sheets have worked well for me overall. I love how little space they take up, how light they are and how easy they make a trip to the laundromat.

However, convenience is only part of my decision. Because I’m not comfortable with the uncertainty around PVA’s environmental breakdown, I won’t be repurchasing them. I’ll finish what I already have, then return to Biome’s concentrate bar for my laundry.

That’s my choice, based on my priorities. Yours might look different, and that’s okay. Whether you live in a van or a family home, finding something that suits your space, budget and routine matters.

For me, living sustainably means using what I have, asking questions and making thoughtful choices when it’s time to buy again.

Kay Green

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *