Laundry Strips or Liquid Detergent: Which is Better?

More and more people are switching from liquid detergent to laundry strips. But is it really better? And for whom? On this page, we honestly compare both — so you can decide what suits you best.

What are laundry strips?

Laundry strips are thin, concentrated sheets of detergent that you throw directly into the drum. They dissolve in water and clean your clothes — without a plastic bottle, without the hassle of dosing, and without lugging a heavy jerrycan.

Lavayette's laundry strips are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and plastic-free. One strip is good for two washes. So, a pack of 50 strips is good for 100 washes.

Laundry Strips versus Liquid Detergent

Performance

Laundry strips clean just as well as a quality liquid detergent for normal stains and daily use. For heavy stains (oil, paint, mud), a liquid detergent with enzymes may be slightly more powerful — but for most washes, you won't notice a difference.

Environment

Laundry strips win in terms of environmental impact. Liquid detergent largely consists of water — so you're essentially paying for water in a plastic bottle. Laundry strips are concentrated, plastic-free, and lighter to transport, which also reduces CO2 emissions.

• Laundry strips: plastic-free, concentrated, light transport
• Liquid detergent: plastic bottle, heavier, more emissions during transport

Sensitive Skin

This is where laundry strips truly excel. Lavayette's laundry strips are hypoallergenic and free from perfumes, dyes, and irritating substances. Ideal for people with sensitive skin, eczema, or an allergy to detergent fragrance.

Many liquid detergents contain perfumes and preservatives that can cause skin reactions. Laundry strips do not.

Price

Laundry strips are similarly priced to a quality liquid detergent — sometimes slightly cheaper per wash, especially considering that with liquid detergent you often overdose.

• Lavayette Laundry Strips: 50 strips = 100 washes
• Liquid detergent: price varies greatly by brand and dosage

Convenience

Laundry strips are easier to use. No fuss with dosing caps, no spilled liquid, no heavy bottle to lift. Just throw one strip into the drum and you're done. Also ideal for on the go or on holiday — a few strips fit in a small bag.

Fragrance

Lavayette's laundry strips are fragrance-free. Do you still want a fresh scent for your laundry? Combine them with laundry perfume. This way, you choose which scent you use — or you use no scent at all if your skin is sensitive to it.

Dosage: How many laundry strips should I use?

A frequently asked question about laundry strips is how much you actually need. That depends on the load size and how dirty the laundry is:

• Half a strip — for a small load (up to 3 kg) or lightly soiled laundry
• 1 strip — for a normal load (up to 5 kg), the most common dosage
• 1.5 strips — for a full drum (6-8 kg) or heavily soiled laundry

A common mistake with liquid detergent is overdosing: many people use more than necessary, which is not only wasteful but also leaves residues in clothes. These residues can cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin. Laundry strips are more advantageous in this respect — you use exactly what you need.

Tip: you can easily halve a strip with your hands. Keep the rest in the package for the next wash.

Fragrance-Free Washing: Why It Matters

The scent of clean laundry is almost always in the detergent or fabric softener — not in the clothes themselves. That scent sounds pleasant, but for people with a perfume allergy, eczema, asthma, or hypersensitivity, it is one of the most common triggers for skin reactions and respiratory complaints.

Perfume in detergent remains in the fabric after washing. Every time you wear the clothes, your skin comes into contact with these perfume substances. For sensitive skin, this can lead to itching, redness, bumps, or an eczema flare-up.

Fragrance-free washing is the easiest way to eliminate this trigger. Lavayette's laundry strips are completely odorless — your laundry smells like nothing after washing, which is exactly the intention. Do you still want a scent? Then add laundry perfume yourself to the fabric softener compartment. This way, you have complete control.

Fragrance-free washing is also recommended for:

• Babies and young children, who are more prone to skin reactions to perfume substances
• People with asthma or other respiratory conditions
• Anyone who suffers from headaches or nausea from strong smells
• People who work in an environment where smells are bothersome (healthcare, hospitality)

Who are laundry strips most suitable for?

• Sensitive skin or allergies — hypoallergenic and fragrance-free
• Environmentally conscious — plastic-free and sustainable
• Families — easy to dose, no spills
• Travel — compact and lightweight
• People who want to simplify — no hassle with bottles and dosages

When do you choose liquid detergent?

• If you regularly wash heavy stains (construction work, sports involving mud)
• If you use a specific detergent on doctor's advice

Try it yourself

Still in doubt? Lavayette's laundry strips are available in our webshop. Order a pack and try it for a month — most people don't go back to liquid detergent afterward.

Do you want to adjust the scent of your laundry? Combine the laundry strips with our laundry perfume — available in Chestnut Blossom, Lavender, Rose, and Argan & Liquorice.

→ View Lavayette's laundry strips
→ View all laundry perfumes
→ More about natural washing and cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Do laundry strips work in all washing machines?

Yes, laundry strips work in all washing machines — both front-loaders and top-loaders. You simply throw the strip into the drum, not in the detergent dispenser.

Can I use laundry strips with a cold wash program?

Yes, laundry strips also dissolve in cold water (20-30 degrees). They are even suitable for hand washing.

Are laundry strips suitable for eczema?

Yes. Lavayette's laundry strips are hypoallergenic and free from perfumes and irritating substances. They are especially suitable for people with sensitive skin or eczema.

How do I dose laundry strips correctly?

Use half a strip for small or lightly soiled loads, one strip for a normal load, and one and a half strips for a full drum or heavy stains. You can halve strips with your hands.

How do I combine laundry strips with laundry perfume?

Throw the laundry strip into the drum and add a few drops of laundry perfume to the fabric softener compartment. This way, your laundry is clean and smells wonderful.

Are laundry strips also suitable for white laundry?

Yes, laundry strips are suitable for all colors of laundry, including white. For stubborn stains on whites, you can add a stain treatment before washing.

Why should I wash fragrance-free?

Perfume in detergent remains in the fabric after washing and can cause skin reactions in people with sensitive skin, eczema, or perfume allergies. Fragrance-free washing completely removes this trigger. If you still want a fresh scent, add laundry perfume separately to the fabric softener compartment.