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In a world where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find products free of harsh chemicals, it’s refreshing to discover a company focused on creating simple household supplies that do the job without endangering the health of humans or the planet. Dropps considers it their mission to provide safer cleaning products, minus bulky packaging and unnecessary ingredients.
Chemical and Dye Free
The laundry and dishwashing products offered by Dropps come in clear pods that show the lack of dyes. Even though they offer scented options, all varieties omit the harsh chemicals found in many brand name detergents. For those with sensitive skin, some options eliminate scents as well.
Dropps is Serious About Eco-friendly Packaging
Each cleaning pod is composed of a water-soluble membrane that eliminates waste. One of the most eco-friendly characteristics of the Dropps brand is the elimination of the large plastic tubs that house standard laundry and dishwasher detergents. In fact, both laundry and dishwasher pods come packaged in 100% recyclable, compostable, and repulpable boxes.
Carbon Offsetting
Dropps are only available via mail order, which means you won’t find them at the local supermarket. Even though they are conscious about packaging during shipping they understand that product transport is hazardous to the environment. With this in mind, Dropps commits to 100% carbon offsetting for each shipment. According to their website they, “Invest in programs actively working to reduce, absorb or prevent carbon and other emissions from entering the atmosphere. These projects can be in the form of forestry conservation efforts or based on a technology that captures gas before it is released such as at a landfill or farm with decomposing waste.”
Dropps Products are Made in the USA
All Dropps products are manufactured domestically.
Awards
With attention to quality natural ingredients, conscientious packaging and carbon offsetting, it’s no surprise Dropps has earned some accolades with organizations that monitor these types of efforts. In 2017, Dropps was honored as an EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding achievement in formulation and product manufacturing of both consumer and institutional/industrial products. This recognition is earned by meeting stringent human and environmental health criteria.
My Personal Review of Dropps Laundry and Dish Pods
While in correspondence with Dropps, they offered to send samples of several products, which I was happy to try out. My first impression was the packaging. The cardboard boxes where streamlined and minimalistic. The products themselves fit tightly inside without extra and unneeded space.
The pods are also compact and easy to use with no waste. For the dishwasher, the pods come in citrus scent or without scent and go directly into the detergent compartment. Dishes came out clean with no residue from the pod on the dishware or in the compartment.
I also sampled two varieties of laundry pods. One is labeled for stain and odors and offers a mild scent. The other is unscented and caters to sensitive skin. As a person with acute scent sensitivities, I prefer the unscented version. Both options perform effectively in dirt and odor removal. With three large dogs in the house, I can say I deal with plenty of both.
Dropps also provided a cold water washing pouch, which holds the pod if you wash in cold water (which I do). Since the pod takes slightly longer to dissolve in cold water, the washing pouch ensures it stays wet enough to dissolve, even in high-efficiency washing machines that use little water. The bag is small and easy to misplace, so I have washed loads with it and without it with equally good results. However, for the newest, ultra-efficient models you may notice an issue without the bag. Some users have reported the pod membrane sticking to clothing in a cold water wash without the bag.
Dropps also makes products for the dryer and provided me with wool balls to try out. I have used wool balls in the past to improve dryer efficiency. The Dropps version seems slightly larger than those I’ve used in the past, which helps to separate the clothes during the cycle and also makes it easier to find at the end of the cycle.
Dropps has received high ratings for their chemical and dye free options, with the main criticism being that it doesn’t provide a “clean, freshly laundered scent.” For me, that’s a pro not a con because I don’t care for dominant scents, but it’s something to be aware of. Also, the membrane on the pods is very thin and susceptible to sticking together, so make sure you store them in a moisture-free area and ensure your hands are dry before touching them.
The bottom line is plastic doesn’t have to be part of the cleaning process. Neither do harsh chemicals.
Note: A version of this article was originally written by this author for publication on www.Inhabitat.com, a website dedicated to the sustainable community.
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