Last Updated: December 29, 2022

6 best natural laundry detergent pods.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 14 min read

If you thought laundry pods were just a fad, think again — the reason these tiny little pods are still a big hit on laundry day has so much to do with the fact that they’re eco-friendly. How so? Well, for starters there is usually less packaging waste created by laundry pods and they are also made with less water. If you’d like to make the switch in your home but aren’t quite sure how to, we can help. Our list of the best natural laundry detergent pods features sustainable picks like our very own Grove Co. Laundry Powder Packs. Plus, you can shop the Grove Co. Laundry Essentials Kit with Detergent Packs to make load after load (after load) even easier.


Speaking of easy, shifting over to laundry pods is also super simple. All you do is drop them in your washing machine’s drum and it’s business as usual.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. grab green Newborn Laundry Detergent Pods

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A new baby brings lots of love to your life and lots of chaos, too. Calm things down a bit with help from these grab green Newborn Laundry Detergent Pods in Chamomile. A healthy choice for newborn babies to babies four months of age, these grab green laundry pods are biodegradable, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and they're made with essential oils in …

(47)
30 Loads
$11.99
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2. grab green Baby Laundry Detergent Pods

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The older your child gets, the more laundry messes you’ll have to deal with. Help your laundry routine go smoothly with grab green Baby Laundry Detergent Pods. These laundry pods are meant to be used for items of children five months and up, and they’re biodegradable, non-toxic, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and vegan. Easily remove pureed fruit and …

(24)
50 Loads
$17.99
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3. method Laundry Detergent Packs

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Every household has a routine when it comes to laundry. Make that routine mean more with method Laundry Detergent Packs. These method laundry detergent pods are made without parabens or phthalates, are hypoallergenic, and are Leaping Bunny–certified. Plus, they help brighten whites and colors and feature plant-based stain lifting power to help keep …

(126)
24.7 Oz, 42 Loads
$14.99
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4. Seventh Generation 3-in-1 Laundry Oxy Booster Packs

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Meet Seventh Generation’s Oxy Booster Packs—your laundry’s new best friend. Our packs fight tough stains and get your clothes back to looking great. Plus, they’re easy to use so there’s no mess and no spills. Just toss one pack in with each load with Seventh Generation laundry soap, then let its incredible 3-in-1 formula do the rest. Your family …

(182)
17.6 Oz, 25 Loads
$8.99
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5. Grove Co. Laundry Powder Packs

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These Grove Co. Laundry Powder Packs remove stains as well as other leading national detergents.* Plastic-free and crafted to be sustainably powerful for a healthy home and planet.

They’re made with 100% plant-derived ingredients and without harsh chemicals, dyes, or fragrances. These laundry packs unleash the power of four plant-derived enzymes …

(648)
1 x 45ct Laundry Powder Packs
$16.99
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6. Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent Packs

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Are you a serial spiller? (We get it — we’re coffee and wine people, too.) Tackle the toughest of stains with these Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent Packs. This naturally derived, plant-based formula has 20% more cleaning power to whiten and brighten your loads. From your kids' soccer practice clothes to your towels you used on …

(85)
29.7 Oz, 42 loads
$14.89
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FAQs

How do laundry detergent pods work?

Laundry detergent pods technically hold all their cleaning power for an entire wash in one tiny pod. One pod equals one wash, which releases that cleaning power in your machine as the cycle water breaks it apart and does its thing. Here’s how to get the most out of these laundry pods:

  • First, add your pod to the drum of your washing machine — never ever add them to the dispenser
  • Add your load of laundry to your machine
  • Set your washing machine setting for your load and turn on the wash
  • You’re done — now wait until it’s time to throw your load in the dryer and do that like you normally would

If you’re not super familiar with laundry pods but want to give ‘em a go, check out our list of the best natural laundry detergent pods, or see what laundry pods made our list of the top 10 natural laundry detergents.


What are laundry detergent pods made of?

The actual pods, including these Grove Co. Laundry Powder Packs, are made of polyvinyl alcohol film, also known as PVA film. The PVA film is packed with the laundry detergent inside, and as your wash is washing, the PVA film dissolves, letting your laundry detergent work its magic inside your machine.


If you’re wondering what the actual laundry detergent inside the pods is made of, well then you’ll need to look at the ingredients list for the specific type of pods you’re looking to purchase. Some pods do contain chemicals, but that’s why Grove Collaborative only carries sustainable brands that make laundry detergent and laundry detergent pods that are sustainable and nontoxic. Need more help getting started using eco-friendly laundry products? See our article: The ultimate guide to doing laundry — naturally.


Do laundry detergent pods expire?

Technically, even the best smelling natural laundry detergent pods don’t expire per se, but they do have a shelf life and that shelf life is only about 15 months — a little over a year. If you use laundry detergent pods after that shelf life, they aren’t going to work (and wash) the way you expect them to. Also, keep in mind that some laundry detergent pods may have a written expiration date on their packaging, so you should always go by that date.


If you have a large household, you can stock up easily for a few months, but if you have a smaller household or don’t have many washes weekly, we recommend not stocking up on too much laundry room essentials because they might lose their cleaning powers before you get the opportunity to use them.


Are laundry pods bad for your washer?

This is one tricky question. Almost all laundry pods are made of polyvinyl alcohol film (PVA), and the PVA can in some rare cases cause clogging in the pipes of your washing machine, but it’s definitely not the norm. Plus, this usually only happens with laundry detergent pods that use excess chemicals in their detergent. To see our top recommended laundry pods, check out the full list above of the best laundry detergent pods. You’ll find popular eco-friendly brands and choices like these Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs.


If you’re not set on using pods and you’re a bit paranoid about the PVA, regular laundry detergent is just as easy to measure out the proper amount for your washing machine. Shop all natural laundry detergent on Grove.


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