These Tiny Cubes Get My Laundry So Clean (and They Work on Stains!)

The one chore I have always loved (since childhood!) is doing the laundry. Every part of the process is enjoyable to me — separating items, burying my face in my warm clothes as I take them out of the dryer, folding each piece as I watch my favorite TV show, and even putting everything away in its rightful place. But there is one part of doing the laundry I’ve never cared for: hand-washing or pre-treating stains.

Although I don’t hand-wash or pre-treat stains as frequently as I do regular laundry (I typically reserve this step for certain delicates or white/light colored clothing), I decided to search for a laundry product or detergent that could elevate my favorite domestic task. Enter: Nellie’s Laundry Cubed.

I typically prefer liquid detergent or laundry sheets, so I was intrigued when I stumbled upon Nellie’s Laundry Cubed — which I initially thought were dishwasher tablets! I was sold when I saw the simple list of natural ingredients. (After years of research I’ve learned that cleaning products with sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are quite efficient, while enzymes naturally break down stains and odors.) Plus, they’re fragrance-free, and the compressed powder cubes make the cleaning power extra concentrated — a winning combination to use on delicates and/or stained white clothes. 

I used one Nellie’s Laundry Cubed on a normal load, adding a stained T-shirt to see how effective it was. I didn’t use any stain remover or treatment on the shirt and was impressed to see the stain had practically vanished. I also love the fact that these cubes can dissolve in either hot or cold water. To double-check their effectiveness, I used one on a gentle cycle for washing delicates (which I now throw in a mesh bag instead of spending time hand-washing) and they were perfectly fresh and clean. 

The only small downside to these cubes is that they’re a bit challenging to remove from the box (although I do appreciate the completely plastic-free packaging). Their impressive cleaning power and eco-friendly formulation, however, more than make up for that slight flaw.

Buy: Nellie’s Laundry Cubed, $10