When it comes to cleaning our homes, one of the biggest chores (and most time consuming) has to be doing the laundry. While this provides us all with clean and fresh clothing, laundry is still one of the biggest culprits when it comes to plastic waste, chemical overload and energy consumption, so swapping to a more eco‑friendly option can make a surprisingly big impact. That’s where smol Laundry Capsules step in. They are a low‑waste, cold‑wash‑friendly alternative that promises big cleaning power with a much smaller environmental footprint.
smol’s laundry capsules are built around a simple but clever idea: concentrated detergent in a compact, plastic‑free cardboard pack that fits through your letterbox. No bulky tubs, no oversized plastic containers and no unnecessary filler ingredients. According to smol, the capsules dissolve quickly even in cold water and deliver an “outstanding clean” at just 20°C, which is a bold claim in a market where many detergents still rely on hotter cycles to perform effectively. smol offers these capsules in bio, non‑bio and fragrance‑free options, all dermatologically tested and free from animal ingredients, with the fragrance‑free non‑bio variant certified by Allergy UK. For households trying to reduce allergens, chemicals and environmental impact in one go, that’s a strong start.
One of the biggest selling points is the 100% plastic‑free, letter-box friendly packaging. The cardboard packs are sturdy, compact and easy to store, and they avoid the usual plastic tubs that dominate supermarket shelves. The capsules themselves are highly concentrated, meaning fewer chemicals overall and less weight to transport, another tick in the eco‑friendly column. smol also holds an impressive list of certifications, including B Corp, Leaping Bunny, RSPO membership and a Marie Claire sustainability award for cutting home‑cleaning carbon emissions. These aren’t just marketing badges; they reflect genuine third‑party scrutiny of smol’s environmental and ethical standards.
While all that sounds impressive, the real question is “do they work?”
Simply, the answer is yes.
Performance-wise, the laundry capsules do a solid job. Everyday laundry, including clothes, bedding and towels, come out clean, fresh and soft, even on lower‑temperature washes (I generally wash on 30° but they do work as well on 20°). I was trying the bio capsules (green), which one capsule in the machine handled stains well and left the entire load clean and fresh (for hard water areas, loads over 5kg or heavy dirt/stains it is recommended to use two capsules). The fragrance is subtle rather than overpowering, which suits households that prefer a clean smell over a perfumed one.
Based on a subscription model, it is straightforward: you start with a free trial of nine washes (just paying postage), then receive 24‑capsule packs for £6 on a schedule tailored to how often you wash (25p per wash based on one capsule) – just tell them how often you wash and how many capsules you want to use per load and the website works out the rest, sending your delivery every 1-12 weeks based on your options. Deliveries can be paused, adjusted or cancelled easily, and the letterbox‑friendly packaging means you don’t need to be home. For busy households, or anyone who hates lugging detergent home from the shops, this is a genuine convenience upgrade.
Overall, I found the laundry capsules to be excellent at getting my clothes clean and smelling fresh without an overly perfumed smell. They work well on my 30° wash, and I did try on 20° which seemed to work just as well.
There are, however, a few limitations worth noting. The capsules are excellent for everyday laundry, but extremely stubborn stains may still need pre‑treatment, as with most detergents. The subscription model won’t suit everyone, especially those who prefer to buy as‑needed rather than commit to recurring deliveries. And while the price is fair for an eco‑friendly product, it may feel slightly higher than budget supermarket brands – although the environmental benefits and reduced waste more than justify any difference (and the price is on-par with branded detergents).
My only other issue was with opening the packaging, and that was my fault for not reading it properly. You don’t just rip open the box, you need to push in the labelled parts on the box and pull out the tray, which is actually easy to do and stops it being accidentally opened – it’s a child-lock that defeated me.
As part of an eco‑friendly spring‑cleaning overhaul, smol Laundry Capsules make a compelling case. They’re effective, thoughtfully designed, kinder to the planet and genuinely pleasant to use. For households looking to reduce plastic waste and chemical load without sacrificing cleaning performance give them a try and I don’t think that you will be disappointed.
Check them out for yourself by visiting the smol website and ordering a starter pack or try the Essentials Cleaning Bundle (9x laundry capsules, 9x dishwasher tablets, multi-purpose spray and foaming handwash) for only £5 plus £1.99 postage.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: Initial free trial (£1.99 delivery) and then £6 for a 24 pack
For more information or to buy direct, visit smol.com.