I typically review and talk about kid products and services, but I thought I’d start something new. I thought I’d overlap Mama Likey over here on NKT and feature products that might not be geared TO kids, but are still used FOR kids or, in essence, products that make our jobs as parents easier.
So, with that, I’ve got laundry on the brain today. With Spring in full bloom, we’re finding ourselves outside for hours at a time usually playing in dirt, getting sweaty and adding to the laundry piles. And I mean PILES.
Because we’re still city dwellers, at least for another few weeks, doing the laundry at the laundromat continues to be quite the chore. Gather, lug, schlep it a few blocks, unload, wait…and wait… It’s such a tedious process, to say the least.
And so, when a new laundry product designed to streamline this process makes its way onto the market, I’m usually the first in line to try it out. In this case, a few months ago, the husband* brought home a smallish, slender bottle not too long ago. The packaging, itself, was eye-catching because of the sleek modern design.
The cool bottle was none other than Method Laundry in Fresh Air.
method products, well known for their beautiful packaging, are often associated with safer cleaning products. method products, an eco-friendly line of cleaning supplies, is billing its new laundry detergent to be greener than mainstream products.
The smaller packaging means less plastic, less energy and oil used, which also means a smaller carbon footprint. The cool packaging of method laundry doesn’t have a lid, instead, it features an innovative pump, giving you one-handed convenience. method’s plant-based formula is strong enough to get the job done, without being harmful. Method laundry is non-toxic, biodegradable and is touted as the first Cradle-to-Cradle certified laundry detergent. And, like socially-responsible companies should, method is fully transparent and reveals all or their products’ ingredients. I likey.
Parents, especially new parents of infants and parents of kids with sensitive skin, are usually on the market for detergents with less chemicals and irritants. method offers a fragrance-free version of their laundry detergent, which is something to consider for the babes, as opposed to those fragrant baby detergents.
The Good:
method’s laundry detergent is a great option for families who are seeking a greener alternative to the mainstream jug. The convenient and forward-thinking packaging is smart, eco-friendly and lightweight for those who have to schlep to the laundromat. The pump system is super convenient, especially for those who might need an extra hand to wrangle a kid or multi-task.
The Bad:
The cool design and convenience factor doesn’t go unnoticed: its higher pricetag is a reminder of method’s premium label ($15 for the 20 oz; $$8 for the 10 oz.) Though it is a good alternative to most conventional detergents, method laundry is not the greenest detergent on the market. On their site, they describe the detergent to be “skin-friendly” and not hypo-allergenic, which raises flags for me, as a mom of an allergy-prone kid (He broke out in hives several times as a reaction to various detergents.) I personally can’t do some of the really pungent method products because they get too strong, however I did like the clean smell of Fresh Air.
The Tipping Point:
method does a great job marketing their products, and their new laundry detergents has a lot of green selling points. I like the smaller packaging, though not completely convinced that the ultra-concentrated formula was ground-breaking by any means. I still had a few (untreated) dirty spots on the kid’s muddy jeans after a single wash with method laundry. I do, however, love the packaging and how green this product seems to be. The $8 pricepoint for the small bottle is a turnoff, which the $2 off coupon offsets.
I generally like most method products and can see myself adding method laundry to my shopping list when it goes on sale. Bottom line, method it does the trick and is a good greener alternative to the mainstream jug.
Check it
- Want to hear more and connect with some of the most insightful green Tweeps? Join #EcoWed tonight at 10-11EST, which is hosted by 3 Green Angels and sponsored by Method.
- method laundry can be found at stores like Target, Harmon, Lowes, Babies “R” Us, Whole Foods and more
- Sign up and grab a $2 off coupon for method laundry
- Follow Method on Twitter
*The sample was provided by my husband’s employer, which is in no way affiliated with this website. The opinions expressed on this site are strictly my own.
