Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Earth Breeze claims on its website and in social media ads that its laundry detergent sheets are free from harsh chemicals and microplastics, which have become an increasing environmental concern. The company says it strives to “leave the planet a little better than we found it” and that by purchasing its products, “you help pull plastic from oceans and waterways, protect wildlife, and heal our planet.” And for those who like visuals, there’s also a cute turtle swimming in clear water on the packaging of these so-called “eco sheets.”

But after receiving a tip from a reader, TINA.org discovered that the laundry sheets contain a number of ingredients that you may not expect based on this marketing.

The planet

For starters – and as our reader pointed out – the sheets contain polyvinyl alcohol or PVA, a water-soluble synthetic polymer primarily derived from fossil fuels. According to Earth Breeze, the ingredient “[h]olds all the cleaning ingredients until dissolved in water.”

But whether or not PVA is truly dissolvable is a matter of debate and concerns have been raised about the ingredient’s potential to release tiny plastic particles (microplastics) into the water supply. As we noted in a previous ad alert on another laundry sheet brand’s eco-friendly claims, PVA’s role or impact as a plastic pollutant requires further study.

In response to a request for comment, Earth Breeze said that the PVA used in its laundry detergent sheets is “not a microplastic” and “fully dissolves in [the] wash and does not contribute to microplastic pollution.” The company noted that PVA is on the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List.

People

In addition to its environmental claims, Earth Breeze touts its fragrance-free sheets as suited for people with “extremely sensitive skin” and “perfect for sensitive skin.”

Yet the fragrance-free sheets contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium acetate, both of which may cause negative reactions in people with skin issues.

Earth Breeze does not disclose any of these three ingredients – PVA, SLS or sodium acetate – on the sheets’ product pages and requires that consumers take several steps navigating its site to learn what’s actually in the products.

In response to a request for comment, Earth Breeze said it uses a “plant-derived SLS” and that due to the nature of the dissolvable product, “the risk of skin exposure or reactivity is minimized.” As for sodium acetate, the company noted that the EPA categorizes it as “a low-risk substance for human health.” Earth Breeze stood by its ingredient disclosures on its website, saying they meet or exceed industry standards.

Subscription complaints

For purchases made online, Earth Breeze claims that it doesn’t engage in sneaky subscription practices and doesn’t use prechecked boxes on its website. (Consumers can also purchase the company’s sheets at retail locations like Walmart, Target and Kroger.)

However, numerous consumers have left negative reviews with the BBB and on Trustpilot about being unwittingly signed up for a subscription, which they then found difficult to cancel. Some report being charged even after they received confirmation from the company that the subscription was canceled and one consumer said Earth Breeze wanted to charge her $5 just for conversing with the company online. A sampling of recent consumer complaints follows.

TINA.org found that if consumers want to make a one-time purchase, they have to click on an inconspicuous link on product pages appearing below a large green button to “select scents” as part of a subscription, which is the default option.

Despite the multitude of consumers who say Earth Breeze signed them up for a subscription without their consent, the company said it “clearly disclose[s] subscription details throughout the checkout experience,” pointing to language like “subscribe & save.” Earth Breeze said it offers “an easily accessible simple cancellation mechanism within the customer dashboard” and does not charge any fees for customer support.

Made in USA claims

We also found that Earth Breeze makes deceptive U.S.-origin claims in certain places by omitting legally required qualifying information alongside some of its Made in USA claims. And even when it does include qualifying language stating that its laundry sheets are Made in USA with U.S., Canadian and European ingredients, the qualifier is so small that consumers could easily miss it.

In response to our questions, Earth Breeze said it complies with the FTC’s Made in USA standard.

The bottom line

Earth Breeze makes a lot of bold claims about its laundry sheets – many of which may fall apart (or, dare we say, dissolve) upon closer scrutiny.

If you are concerned about a product’s impact on the environment or its use of chemicals, check the actual ingredients – which sometimes requires quite a bit of digging. And before you hand over your credit card information, make sure you know what the company is going to use it for. And as always, reading customer reviews on a variety of third-party platforms can be helpful.

Find more of our coverage on greenwashing and subscriptions.