Homesteading is a dirty job. Between working in the garden, tending to our chickens, rabbits, geese and turkeys, and managing daily chores, our clothes inevitably become covered in dirt, manure, feathers and sweat. Add regular CrossFit sessions into the mix, and you’ll understand why we’re not huge fans of laundry day (which, according to my wife Kathy, is every day).
Like most people, we used traditional laundry detergents for years, unaware of their potential health impacts. Unfortunately, many of those products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as xenoestrogens, as well as artificial fragrances and harsh cleaning agents that damage clothing and can be absorbed into the body through the skin (where they can negatively affect hormonal health and overall well-being).
A few years ago, we consciously shifted to less-toxic detergents (see my non-toxic product list for specific recommendations) and natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar and baking soda. These solutions worked decently, but we never fully solved the problem of effectively removing persistent odors, especially at low temperatures. We needed something more potent yet entirely safe and toxin-free.
That’s when we discovered the SimplyO3 laundry unit, which relies on ozone to clean and sanitize clothes.
We’ve been fans of ozone for a while now, using it to sanitize the water in our cold plunges, to disinfect wounds (via ozonated oil), and even for treating systemic inflammation via ozone IVs (you can watch my YouTube video on that topic if you don’t mind seeing a little blood). Check out my article on ozone therapy benefits and side effects to learn more.
In this review, I’ll tell you about our experience with the SimplyO3 laundry unit, and explain everything you need to know about the benefits of using ozone instead of traditional detergents to clean and sanitize your clothes.
Six Key Facts About the SimplyO3 Laundry Unit
- Ozone is completely effective at removing polar or oxidizable organic materials such as odors, bacteria, sweat, proteins, and certain pigments from all types of clothing. Our clothes come out looking just as good as when washed with detergent.
- Pre-treatment using non-toxic stain removers may be required for substances like grease and clay, because ozone isn’t good at breaking up nonpolar or hydrophobic grease molecules (which require surfactants or solvents to emulsify and lift them away from fabrics).
- Aside from its exceptional cleaning power, ozone effectively kills bacteria, viruses and mold, and eliminates odors.
- The SimplyO3 laundry unit takes less than 30 minutes to install and requires zero ongoing maintenance. You only need a nearby power outlet and wall space to mount it.
- Using ozone can reduce your environmental impact by eliminating chemical discharge into the water supply.
- Ozone does not damage fabrics, washer hoses or internal washer components.
How the SimplyO3 Laundry Unit Works
Ozone is essentially oxygen with an extra atom (O₃). This additional atom makes it highly reactive and extremely effective at disinfecting. In other words, ozone cleans primarily by oxidation: it breaks down molecular bonds in organic substances by adding oxygen atoms to their molecular structures, making them simpler and easier to rinse away.
For example, when ozone-infused water meets your laundry, it penetrates deep into fabric fibers, oxidizing organic matter (such as dirt) and destroying pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also tackles odor-producing bacteria, leaving clothes smelling fresh without artificial fragrances.
From a chemical perspective, here’s how the SimplyO3 laundry unit works: The system takes in regular air and exposes it to ultraviolet light. The photons (light particles) emitted by the UV lamp have enough energy to split oxygen molecules into individual oxygen atoms (O).
Single oxygen atoms quickly bond with existing oxygen molecules (O₂) to form ozone molecules (O₃). The ozone is injected into the cold water supply of your washing machine, where it reacts with any polar and organic matter.
The SimplyO3 laundry unit generates ozone on demand, whenever your washing machine pulls cold water. It injects the ozone directly into the water line connected to your washer. The ozone dissolves into the water, saturating your laundry for thorough cleaning.
And since ozone breaks down quickly into oxygen, no harmful residues remain on clothes or get released into the environment, making it a safe and sustainable solution.
Note that the unit doesn’t connect to your hot water inlet because ozone is much less effective in hot water than in cold water (since the former causes ozone molecules to decompose quickly). But you can still reap the benefits of ozone when you run a hot water cycle (e.g., to tackle tough stains ozone can’t remove), because most washing machines use cold water for the final rinse, and ozone will be injected into that rinse cycle.
Maintenance and Longevity
The downside of any electronic device is that it’ll eventually stop working. The good news is that UV ozone generators (such as the one built into the SimplyO3 laundry unit) have a lifespan of 2,000 to 5,000 hours, and the built-in UV lamp has a lifespan of approximately 10,000 hours.
Considering the unit runs for about 1-2 minutes per laundry cycle, you can expect the generator to last 60,000 to 300,000 cycles. Once you’ve reached the end of the unit’s lifespan, you’ll have to replace it because it doesn’t have any user-serviceable parts.
Note: You can certainly use the SimplyO3 laundry unit in combination with regular detergent, but you’ll likely find that it’s not necessary for anything but the toughest stains. However, if you choose to use detergent, use low-foaming (HE) detergent because high-foaming products can inhibit ozone-water contact, reducing ozone’s effectiveness. I also recommend avoiding chlorine-based products because they can cross-react with ozone and create harmful by-products, such as chlorate, perchlorate and others.
Benefits of Using Ozone in Your Laundry
Here are some distinct advantages we’ve found when switching to ozone for laundry:
1. Superior Disinfection
Ozone is among nature’s most potent sanitizers. It effectively neutralizes bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and other pathogens. On our homestead, this means clothes contaminated with manure or animal bedding come out hygienically clean every single time.
2. Completely Eliminates Odors
Traditional detergents mask odors with perfumes. Ozone eliminates odor-causing bacteria at the source, ensuring clothes come out genuinely odorless. Even our sweatiest gym clothes smell clean and fresh, with zero fragrances required.
3. Safe and Non-Toxic
One of the most important aspects of anything we do here at the Kummer Homestead is the avoidance of (man-made) toxins. That’s why we began swapping out all household products (e.g., plastic food storage containers and skincare products, to name a few) with non-toxic alternatives.
The SimplyO3 laundry unit doesn’t rely on endocrine disruptors, toxic chemicals or irritants. Instead, it produces ozonated water that’s completely safe for people with sensitive skin, allergies, or anyone concerned about long-term chemical exposure.
4. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Using ozone means fewer chemicals are discharged into our waterways, significantly reducing environmental impact. Ozone quickly decomposes back to oxygen, leaving no toxic residue behind. It’s sustainability at its best.
5. Gentle on Fabrics and Washers
Ozone won’t damage your clothing fibers, washing machine hoses, or internal components. We’ve observed no fabric degradation after weeks of continuous ozone cleaning.
Installation and Setup
Getting started with the SimplyO3 laundry unit is relatively straightforward:
- Mount the unit on a wall near your washer and a standard electrical outlet. Since we had only drywall without nearby studs, I used the supplied dowels to secure the unit to the wall.
- Connect the hoses. Attach one hose from the cold-water supply (wall inlet) to the ozone unit and another from the ozone unit to your washer’s cold-water inlet. Our SimplyO3 unit arrived with hoses, but they appeared slightly flimsy, so I replaced them with heavy-duty hoses I had at home.
- Plug it in and run your washer normally. Any time cold water is drawn, the ozone unit automatically infuses the water with ozone — no extra effort required.
Installation took us under 30 minutes, with clear instructions provided by SimplyO3 in video format.
Cost and Discount Code
The SimplyO3 Laundry Unit retails for $499.99, which isn’t exactly pocket change. However, considering it practically eliminates the need for laundry detergents, fabric softeners and hot water cycles, it pays for itself over time.
Based on my calculations, the SimplyO3 laundry unit typically pays for itself within two to five years, depending on how often you do laundry and the energy costs in your area.
If you purchase the SimplyO3 laundry unit, make sure to enter the discount code KummerHomestead to get 10% off the list price.
Our Experience With the SimplyO3 Laundry Unit
We’ve been testing the SimplyO3 laundry unit for several weeks, and here’s our honest feedback:
- Effectiveness: Clothes consistently come out sanitized, clean, and completely odor-free. Our activewear smells genuinely fresh, no matter how intense the sweat was during workouts.
- Limitations: Ozone is incredible at sanitation and removing odors, but struggles with heavy stains like grease or clay. For those substances, you’ll still need pre-treatments or a natural stain remover. For example, clay stains on our white sheets from our German Shepherd’s paws (he’s allowed in bed with us) didn’t come out with ozone (nor with any of our natural stain removers, for that matter).
- Ease of use: Once installed, you forget it’s there. There are no settings, refills or ongoing maintenance.
- Fabric longevity: Our clothes have shown no signs of wear or degradation. The fabrics remain soft, the colors remain vibrant, and there are no chemical residues.
- Cost savings: Over time, you significantly reduce or even eliminate expenses on detergents, softeners, and fragrances. Plus, you no longer require hot water cycles, reducing your electricity or natural gas bill.
Overall, we’ve been thoroughly impressed. This unit is a valuable addition to our homestead laundry routine, making our chores easier, safer, and healthier.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to minimize toxic chemical exposure, simplify your laundry routine, and ensure superior hygiene for your family’s clothes, the SimplyO3 laundry unit is a no-brainer. It effectively leverages the power of ozone, a safe and natural sanitizer, to deliver spotless, fresh, chemical-free laundry.
While ozone won’t magically remove stubborn stains without additional help, its superior sanitation and odor-killing ability far outweigh the minor inconvenience of occasionally needing extra stain treatment.
We’ve made ozone an essential part of our health and wellness practices for years, and now it’s transforming our laundry room too. SimplyO3 has done an outstanding job delivering a practical, easy-to-use, and highly effective solution.
No more harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, or endocrine disruptors. Just clean clothes, naturally sanitized, and ready for whatever the homestead throws our way next.
Michael Kummer is a healthy living enthusiast and CrossFit athlete whose goal is to help people achieve optimal health by bridging the gap between ancestral living and the demands of modern society.