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Introduction

Having previously worked as a cloth pad maker within my own small business, a common question I used to get was “have you ever tried an eco laundry detergent?” or “do you recommend any eco-friendly detergents?”. Until now, the answers I could give were always quite limited. I’d experimented with soap nuts but found that they could be quite messy as they broke apart after use. My partner and I had also explored supermarket washing powder options in cardboard packaging but were always unsure of how eco-friendly the product inside actually was despite being able to recycle the box. Generally, our goal had been to find the best plastic-free laundry detergent but we hadn’t quite found the right option yet.

For the most part, I was always sceptical of how well an eco-friendly detergent would be able to perform on not only cloth menstrual pads but heavily soiled sportswear and gym clothing. My partner and I have very active lives which involve muddy hikes and sweaty gym sessions. Whatever detergents we buy have to be able to stand up to those challenges. 

What Is So Special About Clothes Doctor Detergents?

Clothes Doctor boasts a wide selection of laundry care options – from their Signature option to more specialist types such as delicates care and knitwear mist. The brand kindly gifted me a bottle of their Signature detergent as well as their Tough Love stain remover to try. Here are the advertised benefits of each according to their website:

Clothes Doctor Signature Detergent: 

•     Mineral Based Detergent 
•     Non-biological formula 
•     Free from toxins and harsh chemicals 
•     Able to be used at low temperatures 
•     Infinitely recyclable. Packaged in 100% aluminium with a compostable label.
•     Vegan and cruelty-free
•     Made in Britain

Tough Love Stain Remover:

• Neutral scent 
• Powdered formula 
• Effective at lifting stains 
• Chlorine-free 
• Benefits also include the aforementioned infinitely recyclable container, vegan and cruelty-free status and that it is made in Britain.

My Review of Clothes Doctor Detergent

My initial impressions were very positive as my order arrived in a fully cardboard shipping box along with paper tape to secure it. This is something I really like to see as it means the packaging truly is recyclable – something often neglected by other brands, regardless of the eco-friendliness of the products inside.

In our area, we have soft water so I followed the directions on the back of the Signature detergent and used less than if I lived in a hard water area. While portioning out the detergent, I was sceptical as it seemed like an extremely small amount for a relatively full washing machine. However, once the cycle was done, the clothes came out smelling fresh and clean. The scent isn’t strong nor overpowering but more something I would describe as akin to drying clothes out in fresh air. Despite normally favouring stronger scents, I actually enjoyed this as it was a nice change. I can also see this being a positive for anyone who struggles with the sensory overload of intense fragrances. 

On checking the detergent drawer after the clothes were out, I also noticed only a small amount of leftover powder – this was good to see as other brands have often left a large mound of undissolved and effectively wasted product.

The stain remover was perhaps the most impressive to me. I decided to try this out on my used cloth menstrual pads. Blood stains are often one of the most difficult marks to remove from fabrics and, having been a cloth pad user since around 2015/16, I’ve tried out my fair share of stain-removing products. Again, I used only the directed amount (along with some of the Signature detergent) in the drum of my washing machine and added my pads in for an hour-long cycle. Normally, I would presoak pads in stain remover but I decided to see how they would look after just one wash cycle. When they came out, I was really impressed. Almost all of the stains were gone – only one or two had very faint marks but, in comparison to other brands, this is a night and day result. Other products have ranged from being totally ineffective to all of the pads having at least moderate staining left behind. To see most fully cleaned was extremely impressive to me.

Final Thoughts

I definitely would recommend Clothes Doctor laundry products to those looking for an eco-friendly alternative to other detergents. I felt that the products I tried were effective and delivered in what they said they would. I also really enjoy the overall eco-credentials of the outer packaging and bottles the powder comes in as recyclability is a really important factor for me when choosing new things to try in my home.

If you’d like to give products from Clothes Doctor a try, head to their website here.