This $40 Laundry Egg has more than 3,200 reviews — but does it actually work?

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Whether you love it or hate it, laundry isn’t going anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who separates your darks, colours and whites, or piles everything into the washer at once, the often-mundane task of laundry is a ritual we all succumb to.

With a variety of products on the market in terms of detergents, softeners and dryer sheets, it’s no surprise the process is also costly — and bad for the environment. If you’re looking for an alternative to regular detergents, some shoppers are recommending Ecoegg Laundry Egg.

What is it?

The name basically says it all — it’s an egg-shaped pod filled with natural cleaning pellets which contain no harsh chemicals to clean your clothes, bedding and more. Lasting up to 720 washes, the laundry egg promises three years worth of washing for the average family — and in theory, it saves you money since you’re using the same egg over and over. The smaller sized, which retails for $39.99, claims to do 210 loads for the same price conventional detergents would tackle 125 loads.

How does it work?

According to RealSimple, the egg-shaped capsule releases chemical free cleaning agents (black tourmaline and white mineral) that work to tackle dirt in a different way than conventional cleaners. Apparently, the tourmaline “weakens the adhesive forces between dirt and fabric” and the minerals “naturally ionize the oxygen molecules in the water” to lift dirt in the same way detergent does.

What people are saying

With more than 3,200 reviews and an average 4.3/5 star rating this detergent alternative is being praised for its hypoallergenic nature, as well as being environmentally-friendly.

“I love that we don't have to get laundry detergent for the next few years. Our household tries to be eco-friendly and this is one way to cut down on waste. I also love the fresh linen scent it gives to our clothes. Gentle on the skin. Keeps our clothes clean and fresh!” reads one review.

“I love the Ecoegg. It is such a good value, and helps me reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. I am very sensitive to scented products, and try to use as much unscented and natural cleaning products as possible. This is a great addition to the products I use!” adds another.

However, some customers have found that the Ecoegg isn’t as effective with men’s deodorant and heavy stains.

“I’ve been using this for a number of months now and have found I have mixed feelings, it seems to work great on my clothes, sheets and towels. However, on my husbands clothes it doesn’t get the deodorant smell out of his shirts in one wash, usually requiring a second run through the wash,” says one customer.

“We thought it was a great idea but after a few loads, we realized it wasn't getting the clothes as clean as we would like,” adds another.

The verdict

So, is it worth it? If you’re looking to make your household more sustainable, and ditch some of the chemicals included in traditional detergents, the Ecoegg is a great product to add to your laundry routine. And when it comes to cost per load, reviewers seem to agree that it does cut down on the cost of traditional detergents.

“It's cheaper, has fewer chemicals, and is much lighter and smaller than a bottle of detergent, making it great for those who go to a laundromat or are short on storage space,” explains RealSimple’s Ayn-Monique Klahre, who put the product to the test.

However, if you tend to be cleaning ultra-dirty clothes, the Ecoegg’s cleaning power might be disappointing to you. If you’ve used it, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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