Terra Wash+Mg for Laundry

As Bluedot’s marketplace editor, I occasionally get emails from readers with product suggestions. A few weeks ago, I received a message recommending something that sounded too good to be true. “I haven't bought bottled detergent in four years because I've been using Terra Wash+Mg,” Jan H. wrote, adding: “Very dirty clothes come out clean and smell like wet fabric (no added scents).” I immediately ordered the self-described “Laundry Revolution from Japan,” which is basically just a sponge-sized satchel filled with magnesium pellets that can be used for up to 365 loads. According to Terra Wash, the magnesium alkalizes the water and generates hydrogen bubbles that allow the water to remove dirt and odors. It sounds a bit like hocus pocus, but what can I say? It worked for Jan and plenty of reviewers, and it worked for me too.

My first test included a gravy- and batter-spattered apron and dirty dishcloths. I tossed the laundry and the bag in the machine and set it to Eco Cold. Forty minutes later, the items emerged schmutz-free. I’ve used Terra Wash for all laundry over the last two months, and have been amazed at how clean everything gets. I plan to keep on using it. At $36 a pop, laundry costs less than $0.10 cents a load, making it an absolute bargain. In a couple of instances, such as when doing particularly large loads or the pillow my cat threw up on, I’ve added a couple of squirts of Dirty Labs detergent or enzyme booster for reinforcement. I also continue to pre-treat particularly bad stains, as suggested by the Terra Wash packaging.

A Terra Wash satchel should last about a year, or up to 365 washes. At that point, you can simply add a second bag to your wash, or you can cut open the bag and compost the magnesium pellets. What you can’t compost, and what does trouble us about the Terra Wash, is its nylon bag, which likely sheds microplastics into the wash. I spent some time talking to our advice columnist, Dear Dot, about this tradeoff. We decided that the exceptionally long lifespan of this product and the reduced manufacture and consumption that that entails make this item a good overall fit for the BuyBetter Marketplace. I use the Cora Ball microplastic filter with each load. One clever Redditor avoids this problem by making her own satchels with cheesecloth and magnesium pellets. We encourage DIYers to try it! Then, be like Jan, and let us know how it goes!