LAUNDRY

What’s Actually in a Laundry Sheet? (The "Dissolvable" Plastic Myth)

Written by Kay Baker, MS, OTR/L — CEO & Co-Founder • Reviewed by Matthew Keasey, Ph.D. — Chief Science Officer • Last reviewed: December 10, 2025

Transparency note: This article cites government sites, standards bodies, and peer-reviewed sources wherever possible. Educational only, not medical or legal advice.

It sounds like the perfect solution: A thin strip of detergent that dissolves in the wash and comes in a cardboard envelope. No jugs, no mess, no plastic.

Except for the sheet itself.

That "dissolvable" strip is made of plastic. It is a synthetic polymer called Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA). While it is marketed as "biodegradable," emerging science suggests that for many households, it is simply becoming a new form of water pollution.

At Green Llama, we considered making sheets. We looked at the chemistry, saw the "hidden plastic" problem, and decided we couldn't sell them to you with a clear conscience. This is a breakdown of what is actually in those popular eco-strips and why we chose Powder instead.

What is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)?

Polyvinyl Alcohol is a synthetic plastic polymer used as a binder. It is the glue that holds the detergent ingredients together in a sheet form. It is the same material used to wrap dishwasher pods and, surprisingly, is a key ingredient in Elmer’s Glue.

PVA is technically water-soluble. When it hits hot water, it melts. But "melting" is not the same as "disappearing."

When a laundry sheet dissolves, the PVA turns into a liquid plastic solution. This solution flows down your drain and into the municipal wastewater system.

PVA is technically water-soluble. When it hits hot water, it melts. But 'melting' is not the same as 'disappearing.' To understand the full list of chemicals found in modern laundry products, read our master resource: The Definitive Guide to Laundry Detergent Ingredients.

The Biodegradability Myth: Does PVA Actually Go Away?

PVA requires very specific conditions to biodegrade fully. It needs specific microbes, high temperatures, and a long residence time in a water treatment plant to break down into harmless carbon dioxide and water.

Most US wastewater treatment plants are not designed to degrade PVA.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health estimates that 75% of PVA passes through treatment plants untreated. It enters our rivers and oceans as a "liquid microplastic," where it can absorb heavy metals and enter the food chain.

If your "zero-waste" swap is pumping liquid plastic into the local waterway, is it really eco-friendly?

The Ingredient Breakdown: Sheets vs. Green Llama Powder

Beyond the plastic binder, the chemistry required to make a sheet "foam" often forces brands to use harsher ingredients. Here is a comparison of a typical "Eco-Sheet" ingredient list versus Green Llama Laundry Powder.

Why Sheets Often Use Stronger Chemicals

Laundry sheets have a small surface area. To get enough cleaning power into that tiny strip, manufacturers often rely on highly concentrated synthetic surfactants like Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (a harsh relative of SLS) or ethoxylated alcohol blends.

Green Llama Laundry Powder uses Sodium Coco Sulfate, a milder surfactant derived from whole coconut oil. Because we use a powder format, we don't need synthetic binders or aggressive solvents to keep the formula stable. We just use effective, earth-derived minerals.

The "Convenience" Trap

We get it. Sheets are easy. But convenience shouldn't come at the cost of the environment.

True sustainability means looking at the entire lifecycle of a product, not just the packaging it comes in. A cardboard box doesn't cancel out the microplastics going down the drain.

The Green Llama Difference

We chose Powder because it is the most honest format for laundry.

• Zero Plastic: No jugs, no PVA binders, no microplastics.

• Concentrated Power: You only need 1 tablespoon per load.

• Fully Biodegradable: Every ingredient we use breaks down safely in septic systems and waterways.

You don't have to choose between clean clothes and a clean planet. You just have to choose the right chemistry.

Ditch the dissolvable plastic.

Switch to the real deal. Shop Green Llama Laundry Powder in a compostable bag or refillable glass jar.