Clean People is quickly becoming a popular option in the eco-friendly kitchen and laundry arena, but the brand still hasn’t earned many reviews from its consumers. Looking for online Clean People laundry detergent reviews won’t tell you if the company is worth buying from.
To make it a bit easier for you, I tried Clean people and conducted an in-depth review of the company’s eco-friendly laundry detergent and other products. You don’t need to waste any time finding out if they’ll be right for you because it’s all laid out neatly right here.
Here’s what I found.
My assessment of Clean People Laundry Detergent Strips
Pros
- Only uses plant-based and natural ingredients
- Paraben free, chlorine free, and phosphate free
- Plastic-free and biodegradable packaging
- Cruelty-free and vegan production
- Doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or allergies
- Free shipping and returns in Canada and the US
- Tree planting with bulk orders
Cons
- No subscription discount on its detergent strips
- Expensive
- Limited environmental outreach
Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets
A San Francisco-based company, Clean People specializes in making planet-friendly kitchen and laundry products. These aren’t just cruelty free and sustainable, but vegan, zero waste, and mostly plant based. Unlike some similar alternatives, Clean People only makes its products in the United States and Canada instead of in China.
Clean People’s laundry detergent strips use a concentrated, low-sudsing formula to cut down on water use, save energy, and eliminate harsh, toxic chemicals from your laundry routine. Clean People’s detergent sheets have more ingredients than some other detergent sheet brands, though, and some of them, particularly the sulfonic acids, may cause eye or skin damage and could pose a toxic risk to aquatic ecosystems. Still, of the 12 ingredients in these laundry sheets, none of them are as dangerous to humans and the environment as phosphates, chlorine, optical brighteners, and added dyes, which these have none of. Just don’t rub these in your eye, okay?
Further enhancing the eco-friendliness of these laundry strips is the fact that they come in a lightweight and biodegradable package. Without heavy liquid formulas and giant plastic bottles, the shipment of this product has a much lower carbon footprint, and the recyclable cardboard box won’t pollute soil, air, or water as it degrades.
It also goes a step further than other laundry detergents by planting a tree for every 96-pack or 192-pack sold. While this is nice, it pales in comparison to the efforts from other sustainable brands, such as Earth Breeze, which gives 1% of its revenue to sustainable programs, donates 10 laundry sheets to charity with every purchase, regularly participates in tree plantings and ocean clean-ups, and partners with We Are Neutral to ensure its production is 100% carbon neutral. Clean People’s one tree with bulk orders looks kind of sad in comparison.
Clean People’s laundry strips cost a bit more than most detergent strips. At $0.46 per load for a 32-pack or $0.34 per load for a 96-pack, they’re almost twice as much as Earth Breeze, which has fewer ingredients but equal cleaning power.
However, if you live in Canada or the US and want to give Clean People a try, you can do so with a no-risk guarantee. You get free shipping and unsatisfied consumers can return these for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
How do they work?
Laundry sheets are much easier to use than liquid detergents and powders, causing less spillage and no mess. You’ll almost feel like you’re missing a step.
All you’ll need to do is add a sheet to your washing machine, put your clothes in, and then let them do their work. One sheet is enough for most loads, and a half-sheet can work wonders on anything small.
If you have a large load with some heavy stains, however, it might be worth using two to make sure the clothes are completely clean.
Beyond laundry detergent
Clean People sells a handful of additional natural and environmentally friendly products across the kitchen and laundry categories, from dryer balls to dish soap. Dryer balls soften clothes and reduce static cling better than dryer sheets, which are notorious for their unsustainability. And a sustainable version of all these other cleaning products will be a welcome addition to your home:
- Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover: Get it here.
- Laundry Pods: Get them here.
- Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets: Get them here.
- Dishwasher Detergent Pods: Get them here.
- Stain Remover Spray: Get it here.
- Cleaner Concentrate: Get it here.
- Dish Soap: Get it here.
- Wool Dryer Balls: Get them here.
- Sink & Bath Scrub: Get it here.
Why choose Clean People?
If you’re an eco-conscious consumer who doesn’t mind spending a little extra on what goes into your washing machines, then Clean People is an effective option. For that extra touch, buying a 96-pack or 192-pack means you give back to the planet by having one tree planted with your purchase.
Why not?
You could also plant a tree yourself and buy a cheaper laundry detergent. You should avoid buying Clean People if you don’t want to spend more than you have to on your laundry.
If you’re interested in a more affordable brand that gives back more to the environment and society, you might want to research other detergent strips. For a review of the leading brands, read my article on the eight best detergent sheets.
My Clean People review
Cleaning power: 4.25/5
Clean People’s laundry detergents offer as much cleaning power as your favorite laundry detergent, if not more. One strip of the sheets is enough to clean an average-sized load, but you might need to use an extra sheet for anything larger than this. Balancing this out are light loads, which normally only need half a sheet.
Price: 3.45/5
Clean People is only a budget-friendly laundry detergent if you buy the larger pack. The 96-pack costs $0.34 per load, while the 126-pack comes in at $0.28 per load, making it quite economical. Since it’s still more expensive than Earth Breeze, which does more for the environment with every sale, not just bulk ones, Clean People only scores a 3.45 out of 5 for price.
Product line: 3.85/5
With multiple products, Clean People offers more than many of its eco-friendly competitors. It’s not as comprehensive as some options, however, such as Tru Earth. It falls somewhere in the middle, getting a 3.85 out of 5 rating in this department.
Customer service: 4.25/5
As well as offering customer support via email, phone, its website, and social media, Clean People is the only laundry company I’ve come across that offers support through text message. It seems like it does more in this department than many of its competitors.
Based on its social media and some comments from customers, Clean People responds to complaints and messages quite quickly during business hours. An order-tracking system boosts this, giving the company a 4.25 rating out of 5.
Convenience: 4.25/5
Everything about Clean People screams easy to use. Even buying its products is simple and straightforward. Using the strips in your laundry only takes a few seconds. Since there’s no spillage or mess, there’s no wasted product, and it’s so simple that a child could use it.
All you have to do is take a strip out of the box, add it to your washing machine, put your clothes in, and let it do its work.
Eco-friendliness: 3.6/5
Clean People Laundry Detergent Strips are free from most of the harsh chemicals in traditional detergents, especially laundry pods and liquids. However, the sulfonic acids present in these strips can be dangerous to human skin and to aquatic ecosystems. The remaining ingredients seem pretty safe, though, and most of them receive a B or better from the Environmental Working Group. The packaging does not contribute to plastic waste, which is a bonus.
Overall: 3.36/5
Clean People offers effective laundry detergents that use natural and clean ingredients and a great cleaning performance. You probably won’t have a problem getting rid of tough stains, but this comes at a relatively high price compared to other eco-friendly options.
If you’re happy with how the detergents perform, getting one of the larger packs brings the per load price down quite a bit, and the free shipping in the US and Canada makes it even more affordable.
Clean People doesn’t score higher because it doesn’t do much for the environment beyond planting one tree with each bulk order. It’s a pretty unenthusiastic commitment.
What others are saying about Clean People
Clean People has a small presence online, with no reviews on Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, or Google My Business.
It does have quite a few reviews on its Facebook page, however, and predominantly positive. Customers praised its cleaning performance and how convenient it is to use.
Wrapping it up
If you’re stressed about climate change and looking for an effective, eco-friendly, and easy-to-use laundry detergent that works in high-efficiency washers and front-loaders or top-loaders, Clean People is a good choice. Free from harmful chemicals, the plant-based formula can still tackle tough stains.
If you’re curious about how Clean People can help you live a more sustainable lifestyle, check out its website for more info.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clean People a gluten-free brand?
Yes, Clean People’s detergent strips are gluten-free.
What are the ingredients in the laundry strips?
Here are the ingredients in Clean People laundry strips: light mineral oil, vegetable glycerin, capryl glucoside, starch, glycereth cocoate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium salts, potassium sorbate, hydroxy, cocamidopropyl betaine, C14-16 alkane, sodium gluconate, sulfonic acids, and lauryldimethylamine oxide. It’s all the good stuff you’d want to be environmentally friendly while getting rid of most stains.
Are any of Clean People’s products tested on animals?
No, Clean People never tests on animals.
How well do these laundry strips actually get the laundry clean?
These detergent strips have great cleaning power and will work effectively in all types of washing machines.
How do I contact Clean People?
You can get in touch with Clean People either through email at hello@getcleanpeople.com or through their phone number on (415) 236-3947. These are only managed between 11am and 4pm Monday to Friday, however. You can also send them a letter or returns to CLEAN PEOPLE, 505 Montgomery Street, 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94111.
Where can I read other reviews?
While there are over 500 reviews on the company’s Facebook page and website, it’s notably absent from the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
Are these laundry strips made in China?
No. Clean People makes all of its products in the US and Canada.
Are these products safe for the environment?
Yes. Clean People’s products are completely eco-friendly. The packaging is completely plastic free and lightweight, and the production and ingredients are cruelty free and biodegradable.
Curious to discover more about laundry detergent sheets? Take a moment to explore the additional resources and reviews we’ve gathered for you below: