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Dear Readers,
I loathe doing laundry. I think it’s because there are so many steps. Gather the dirty linens. Sort them. Treat any stains. Start the machine. See if the stain treatments worked. Start the dryer or hang the clothes on a rack. Fold them. Maybe even do some ironing. And put it all away! It’s a half-dozen jobs masquerading as one. To add insult to injury, not acting quickly enough might mean needing to start over (if you’ve ever forgotten a load in the washing machine, you know what I’m talking about).
Despite it all, my disdain for the dreaded task has lessened a bit over the years. That’s because I’ve made the parts of laundry I hated slightly more efficient. No more giant jug of detergent; now I only need about a thimbleful to get the job done. No more pesky dryer sheets sticking to my clothes; now I use colorful dryer balls that actually make me smile. Best of all, it’s not just my clothes that I’ve cleaned — the whole routine is more Earth-friendly. And honestly, that’s saying something: Laundry can be a very dirty business. For a deep dive, check out The Bluedot Living Guide to Laundry. And for my favorite laundry products, keep reading.
Happy laundering and happy shopping!
– Elizabeth Weinstein, Marketplace Editor
Quick Shop: detergent • dryer balls • drying racks • laundry bags • microplastic filter |
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Truly Excellent Detergent
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Simply put, Dirty Labs outperforms every other “clean” detergent I’ve tried, and matches the big brands, too. Bio-based enzymes target stains at the molecular level. A 21.6-ounce aluminum bottle cleans an astounding 80 loads, cutting down on packaging and storage space. The fragrance-free detergent is Environmental Working Group Verified and boasts the National Eczema Association Seal of Approval. Dirty Labs also offers an NEA-approved hand-wash formula, an enzyme booster, and two elegant scents. ($16+) |
| Clean Those Clothes! |
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Cheerful Dryer Balls
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Adding wool laundry balls to your dryer helps soften clothes, reduce static, and decrease drying time. Unlike conventional dryer sheets, they’re zero-waste, biodegradable, and can last for up to 1,000 loads — making them more affordable long term. Friendsheep’s Fair Trade and Leaping Bunny Certified dryer balls come in so many cute patterns that I’m often tempted to buy myself more. Instead, I purchase them as gifts. Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oils onto the dryer balls to give your laundry a subtle scent. ($21+) |
| Ditch Single-Use Sheets |
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Practical Drying Racks
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Air drying is one of the most effective ways to cut energy use. Pennsylvania Woodworks builds sturdy, foldable racks from solid hardwood in the United States, offering a long-lasting alternative to lightweight metal options. Available in several configurations, the racks all have space-saving designs and stow away easily. In addition to saving energy, hang-drying your clothes also helps them last longer. ($79.99+) |
| Protect Your Clothes |
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Microplastic Minimalizer
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The Cora Ball helps address microplastic pollution by capturing fibers released from synthetic (read: plastic) fabrics during washing. Independent testing suggests it can reduce microfiber shedding by roughly 30%. All you do is put it in your washing machine and occasionally remove any accumulated schmutz. A word to the wise: the Cora Ball can ensnare straps, tassels, and the like. Use a laundry bag to protect those items. ($46) |
| Just Toss It In! |
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Paid Advertisement with Oricle Hearing |
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Brain-Boosting Hearing Innovation
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When your hearing struggles, your brain works overtime to fill in the gaps, which can affect memory, focus, and energy over time. Horizon IX from hear.com lightens that load. This tiny, virtually invisible device uses advanced German dual-processing technology to separate speech from background noise, so conversations feel effortless again. Built for modern life and all-day comfort, it’s available with a 45-day no-risk trial so you can hear the difference for yourself. |
| Qualify Today |
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From wasting less food to choosing more plant-based meals or rethinking how you shop — small changes add up. We’d love to hear what’s different for you. This quick, 3-minute survey is a chance to reflect on your habits and help shape future Bluedot Living content around what matters most to you.
As a thank you, you’ll receive 20% off in our online store after completing the survey.
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| Take the Survey |
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Want to get in touch? I’d love to hear from you. Tell me about your favorite sustainable products and anything else that’s on your mind — email marketplace@bluedotliving.com. I’ll see you again Monday after next.
– Elizabeth Weinstein |
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Elizabeth Weinstein, Bluedot’s Marketplace Editor, lives in Manhattan with her husband; papillon Finley; and cats SanDeE* and Modell. When she’s not asking the folks at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to try on their most sustainable sneakers in a size 9½, she can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket or gardening on her rooftop terrace. |
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