The Dirty Truth About Traditional Laundry Detergents

🔥 2min read

👀 323,557 views

14 May 2025

What’s Hiding in Your “Clean” Laundry?

Most laundry detergents promise powerful results — but behind the “fresh” scent are harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and plastic-packed formulas. These ingredients can irritate skin, pollute waterways, and leave behind more harm than clean. 

 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really in your detergent — and why it’s time for a better way to wash.

1. Hidden Chemicals Lurking in Your Wash

Mainstream laundry detergents often contain a cocktail of harsh ingredients. Common offenders include:

Phosphates: linked to algae blooms that suffocate aquatic life.

Optical Brighteners: chemicals that coat clothing to reflect light and appear cleaner, often causing skin reactions.

1,4-Dioxane: classified as a likely human carcinogen by the U.S. EPA.

Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs): endocrine disruptors banned in the EU but still used elsewhere.

Petroleum-derived surfactants: harsh on waterways and skin alike.

2. Why Skin Conditions Are on the Rise

More and more people are reporting skin issues like eczema, contact dermatitis, and chronic rashes — and household products like laundry detergent are a major trigger. 

 

Why? Because harsh chemical ingredients, dyes, and preservatives used in many detergents are known allergens. And since laundry detergent lingers in fabric fibers, it ends up touching your skin all day — from clothes to sheets to towels. 

 

Erthhaus, by contrast, uses plant-based ingredients in low-irritant formulas, with an option for Fragrance-Free that’s especially popular with parents and people with sensitivities.

3. The Plastic Problem You Didn’t Know You Were Part Of

Each year, billions of single-use plastic detergent jugs and tubs are tossed into landfills and oceans. Even if you recycle, most detergent containers are made from hard-to-process plastics that aren’t always accepted by municipal programs. 

 

The carbon footprint of producing and shipping these bulky bottles is huge — especially when most of that bottle is just water. 

 

Erthhaus sheets, on the other hand, are:

Packaged in recyclable, compostable paper

Ultra-lightweight and compact — no water waste

Zero plastic and zero mess

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4. Clean Laundry ≠ Clean Conscience

The biggest myth in the detergent industry? That strong scent = clean. 

 

But "fresh-smelling" doesn’t mean actually clean — it just means your fabrics are coated in synthetic perfume. 

 

And when detergents are harsh enough to bleach stains and brighten whites, they’re often harsh enough to damage fabric and disrupt your skin's microbiome. 

 

Real clean means removing dirt and bacteria without leaving a toxic trail behind.

5. The Safer, Smarter Swap: Erthhaus Eco Laundry Sheets

Enter a better way to do laundry — one that’s effective, gentle, and sustainable. 

 

Erthhaus laundry sheets are:

Gentle on sensitive skin and ideal for babies, pets, and anyone avoiding irritants

Made with plant-based ingredients and biodegradable cleansers

Plastic-free, from product to packaging

Cruelty-free and certified for safety

Convenient — just grab a sheet, toss it in, and go

All the clean, none of the nasties.

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here's what south african's have to say

buy more & pay less

Popular

98% highly recommend erthhaus
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets

1-Pack
R 329.00

Save 0%

Up to 80 washes

From R4.11 per wash

R75 Shipping
Choose Fragrance

30-day money-back guarantee

Best Seller

98% highly recommend erthhaus
Laundry Detergent Sheets 3 Pack

3-Pack
R 888.30

R 897.00

Save 10%

Up to 240 washes

From R3.70 per wash

R75 Shipping
Choose Fragrance

Build Bundle

30-day money-back guarantee

Best Value

98% highly recommend erthhaus
Laundry Detergent Sheets 6 Pack

6-Pack
R 1,677.90

R 1,794.00

Save 15%

Up to 480 washes

From R3.49 per wash

Free delivery
Choose Fragrance

Build Bundle

30-day money-back guarantee

A Detergent Price Comparison

Average Cost Per Wash

Detergent 

Powder

Detergent 

Liquid

Detergent 

Pods

Average Cost Per Wash

From R3.49

R4 - R6

R6 - R9

R6 - R9

From R3.49

Detergent 

Powder

R4 - R6

Detergent 

Liquid

R6 - R9

Detergent 

Pods

R6 - R9

Try Erthhaus

why are south african’s switching?

erthhaus eco-friendly detergent sheets

what other brands are missing

Cost per wash

From R3.49

R4 - R9

Plastic-free

Plastic jugs & pods

Biodegradable

Often not

Powerful cleaning

Harsh chemicals

Gentle for most skin types

Water usage

Minimal

Over 90% water

Natural fragrances

Travel-friendly

Pre-measured & mess-free

Cruelty free

Money-back guarantee

why are south african’s switching?

erthhaus eco-friendly detergent sheets

what other detergent brands are missing

Cost per wash

From R3.49

R4 - R9

Plastic-free

Plastic jugs & pods

Biodegradable

Often not

Harsh chemicals

Optical brighteners, parabens, phalates, and more.

Powerful cleaning

Gentle for most skin types

Water usage

Minimal

Over 90% water

Natural fragrances

Travel-friendly

Pre-measured & mess-free

Cruelty free

Money-back guarantee

sa's #1 eco-friendly 
laundry detergent sheets

98% highly recommend Erthhaus 🇿🇦
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets
Erthhaus Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets

Gentle on 

sensitive skin

Powerful cleaning

Vegan & cruelty-free

Quick dissolution

Biodegradable & plastic free

Plant-based ingredients

Works with all washers

Pre-measured sheets

Handwashing friendly

"A game-changer! They're super easy to use and effective at cleaning my clothes. I love that they're eco-friendly and help reduce plastic waste. The natural fragrance is a nice touch, and I feel great knowing I'm making a positive impact. Highly recommend!"

- Sarah M, Cape Town

Verified buyer

98% highly recommend Erthhaus 🇿🇦

sa's #1 eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets

Compact, potent, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly giving you up to 80 washes per box. Just toss a sheet for a powerful clean and gentle fabric care. With biodegradable ingredients, it's effective and kind to the planet. Experience lasting freshness wherever you go.

Gentle on sensitive skin

Powerful cleaning

Vegan & cruelty-free

Quick dissolution

Biodegradable & plastic free

Plant-based ingredients

Works with all washers

Pre-measured sheets

Endocrine disrupter free

Handwashing friendly

Pick your pack

FREE shipping on orders over R1000 🎁
10, 10, 15,
default, percentage, percentage,
1, 3, 6,
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Estimate delivery between Aug 29 - Sep 01

Why South African's Love Us

South Africans are embracing Erthhaus Laundry Detergent Sheets for their unmatched convenience, eco-friendly design, and exceptional cleaning power. Perfect for busy households, these compact sheets take the guesswork out of laundry by eliminating the need for measuring or storing bulky detergents. Made with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients, erthhaus supports South Africa’s growing eco-conscious movement, delivering powerful cleaning while protecting the environment. Plus, their quick-dissolving formula makes them perfect for conserving water.

Clean Ingredients

✅ Free From These Nasty Ingredients: Parabens, phthalates, optical brighteners, synthetic dyes, phosphates, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach, ammonia, 1,4-dioxane, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compounds ingredients.

 

🌎 Biodegradability That’s Proven: OECD 301B test: Over 98% biodegradation within 28 days. PVOH base: Fully water-soluble and inherently biodegradable in soil, marine environments, and wastewater systems.

 

🧪 Hypoallergenic + Cruelty-Free: No ingredients flagged as endocrine disruptors or carcinogens. No animal testing. Plant-based and safe for sensitive skin. 

View All Ingrdients

Scent Guide

Orchard Breeze 

- Top: Citrus, Bergamot, fruit, berries, blackcurrant, apple

- Middle: Flowers, roses, jasmine

- Base: wood, sandalwood, balsam

 

Forest Breeze

- Top: Apple, peach, blackcurrant, plum, citrus, melon

- Middle: Rose, lily of the valley, lotus, osmanthus

- Base: wood, musk, amber 

 

Fragrance Free 

No fragrance.

Delivery Information

Where are orders shipped from? All orders are shipped from our warehouse facility in Cape Town.

 

What is the delivery timeframe? Your order will arrive within 1-5 business days. Longer delivery times may occur if your delivery address is in an outlying area. See Shipping Policy for more info.

 

Are there any shipping costs or extra fees? We offer free shipping on all orders over R1000. For orders below R1000, a standard shipping fee applies. There are no extra courier fees, duties, or charges. 

 

Which couriers do you use? For reliable and fast nationwide delivery, we partner with multiple courier service providers.

 

Do you offer nationwide delivery? Yes, we offer door-to-door delivery throughout South Africa.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Try Erthhaus risk-free for 30 days. If you're not satisfied, we offer a 100% refund with no questions asked.

what the science says

For decades, laundry detergents have promised bright whites and fresh scent — but few talk about what’s really inside. Independent studies are sounding the alarm: many traditional laundry powders, pods, and liquids are made with harsh chemicals that harm human health, pollute our environment, and add to the plastic crisis.

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Laundry detergents and detergent residue after rinsing directly disrupt tight junction barrier integrity in human bronchial epithelial cells

Wang et al. (2019)

What it found: Researchers revealed that harsh chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) can leave behind trace residues on clothes after rinsing — and even these small amounts have been shown to irritate and damage the delicate cells lining the lungs, particularly in sensitive individuals.

Why Erthhaus is different: Our ultra-mild, biodegradable formula is made without harsh surfactants or residue-heavy additives — and many customers with sensitivities tell us they finally found a detergent they can use.

Read Study

Health hazards associated with laundry detergent pods

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012)

What it found: Laundry pods pose health risks mainly due to their highly concentrated chemical formulas, bright candy-like appearance, and easily burstable plastic film. These factors have led to accidental ingestions by children, resulting in vomiting, respiratory distress, eye injuries, and in severe cases, hospitalization.

Why Erthhaus is different: Erthhaus does not use pods, plastic film packaging, or highly concentrated chemical cocktails. The sheets are flat, dry, and much safer for households with children.

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Laundry detergents and surfactants-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation

Saito et al. (2023)

What it found: The study found that common detergent surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate triggered airway inflammation in mice by increasing IL-33 levels and activating immune cells linked to asthma and allergic reactions.

Why Erthhaus is different: Erthhaus does not contain SLS, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, or similar irritant surfactants, and uses low-irritation, plant-based alternatives. Its formula is designed to leave minimal residue, reducing the risk of airborne or skin-related sensitivities.

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Assessment of Non-Occupational 1,4-Dioxane Exposure Pathways from Drinking Water and Product Use

Dawson et al. (2022)

What it found: Toxic by-products are hiding in traditional detergents. A hidden chemical by-product called 1,4-dioxane — found in many conventional detergents — is a probable human carcinogen and water pollutant that’s hard to remove through filtration.

Why Erthhaus is different: Erthhaus laundry sheets are free from ethoxylated surfactants—the main source of 1,4-dioxane contamination—and are made with safe, biodegradable ingredients that don’t create toxic by-products, making them a cleaner, safer choice for your home.

Read Study