Nellie's Laundry Soda Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 8.8/10
Nellie's proves that effective laundry cleaning doesn't require complex formulas. The four-ingredient powder (washing soda, coconut oil-based surfactant, sodium chloride, water softener) tackles everyday laundry while maintaining one of the cleanest ingredient profiles on the market. The reusable tin is both functional and charming.
The Verdict: Excellent for families wanting minimalist laundry with genuine cleaning power. The EWG-A rating, simple ingredients, and competitive pricing make Nellie's a top recommendation alongside Molly's Suds for non-toxic laundry.
The Nellie's Philosophy
Nellie's approach is refreshingly simple: "Why would you need more than four ingredients to clean clothes?" The company was founded by Canadian parents who questioned the 30+ ingredient lists on conventional detergents.
Safety Analysis
Nellie's earns EWG-A with remarkable simplicity:
- Sodium carbonate: Washing soda (primary cleaning agent)
- Sodium sulfate: Water softening
- Linear alcohol ethoxylate: Coconut oil-derived surfactant
- Sodium chloride: Salt
Four ingredients. No enzymes, no fragrances (not even essential oils), no dyes, no preservatives.
Cleaning Performance
Everyday Laundry (8.5/10)
Excellent for typical family laundry. The combination of washing soda and coconut-derived surfactant provides genuine cleaning power for daily wear and regular soil.
Stain Fighting (7.5/10)
Good but not exceptional. Light stains come out; set-in stains or grease benefit from pre-treatment. Nellie's sells an Oxygen Brightener for boosting.
Cloth Diapers (10/10)
Widely recommended in cloth diaper communities alongside Molly's Suds. The simple formula rinses completely without buildup.
Baby Clothes (10/10)
Ideal for newborns—completely unscented with no irritants.
The Iconic Tin
Nellie's packaging is distinctive: a vintage-style tin that's meant to be displayed, not hidden. The tin is:
- Reusable for storage
- Recyclable when worn out
- Designed to reduce plastic waste
Refill bags are available for those who've already bought the tin.
Value Assessment
Pricing:
- 100 load tin: $24.99 ($0.25/load)
- 50 load bag refill: $16.99 ($0.34/load)
- Bulk 400 load: $79.99 ($0.20/load)
The larger sizes offer excellent value, competitive with Molly's Suds.
