Ecover

pink_phantom

Just how environmentally sound are the ecover products? I use them simply vecause they don't make my son's skin itch but I have to say the washing liquid is crap and I have to boil the clothes to death to get muddy stains out. Are there any alternatives? Are they as good as they would leave you to believe?

I was using melaleuca products but then my supply cleared up so anyone knows anyone who sells them please PM me.

lynzpower

I was using ecover for a long while, and had no probs with thier washing liquid although my clothes are seldom ever dirty really, just worn.

I love ecover products, find them brilliant to use, but a bit price-prohibitive as im on an economy drive and using vinegar & other OS options instead where i can.

If anyone has any online retailers that do discounted ecover products, that would be appreciated. I do have a local health food shop that does ecover refills, but they are more expensive than buying the product off the shelf, by about a third!!!

quickstepqueen

Glad you've raised this. I personally love the washing up liquid. In our hard water area it seems to perform brilliantly and I've never looked back. Also love the fabric conditioner (great scent), toilet cleaner etc etc. The washing powder is OK for a quick wash. As it doesn't contain loads of bleach it doesn't get my white work overalls pristine white which in a food outlet is essential.

However, like you I just wonder how great it is for the environment. I was watching Gardeners World the other week and Monty Don was talking about recycling grey water. He said it was your washing up water but you had to be careful as what washing up liquids you used....camera showed a table full of products...one of which was Ecover. That was at least reassuring for me.

pink_phantom

I like the washing up liquid and fabric conditioner, they have a clean smell because some can be overpowering. I use the stain remover too and it works ok but not brilliant.

Nikki

[QUOTE=quickstepqueen
However, like you I just wonder how great it is for the environment. I was watching Gardeners World the other week and Monty Don was talking about recycling grey water. He said it was your washing up water but you had to be careful as what washing up liquids you used....camera showed a table full of products...one of which was Ecover. That was at least reassuring for me.[/QUOTE]
That's good to know as DH and I were talking about using sink water for the garden a while ago,he thought we wouldn't be able to use the washing up water but as I use ecover I thought it would be ok. I also use their fabric conditioner, washing liquid, multisurface cleaner and cream cleaner(these 2 only cost 99p each) I've never found any washing liquid/powder that got muddy stains out of my kids clothes, I find the only way to remove stains is to put the washing liquid on the stain as soon as poss, and leave it for a bit. Would using ecover products in the w/machine mean that you could also recycle this water too I wonder? Could we then drain the sink and w/machine outside into a water butt instead of the normal route?

pollys

I tend to use ecover but have also used Bio D and clearspring (liquid) all were fine for my sons hypersensitive skin. Clothes come out clean with all three. I generally wash everything at 40c.

pink_phantom

Where do you get Bio D and clearspring from and how much are they?

Wig

Ecover and all eco or green detergents are green because they use mostly non ionic surfactants, and less than 5% anionic surfactants.

My limited understanding:
anionics are toxic to aquatic organisms
Non ionics are thought to be harmless.

'Normal' washing up liquid, washing powders & liquids will have high levels of anionics 15% - 30%

pink_phantom

Wig wrote:

Ecover and all eco or green detergents are green because they use mostly non ionic surfactants, and less than 5% anionic surfactants.

My limited understanding:
anionics are toxic to aquatic organisms
Non ionics are thought to be harmless.

'Normal' washing up liquid, washing powders & liquids will have high levels of anionics 15% - 30%

If I could find the thanks button, I would press it.:T

krishna

We found BioD powder cleaned clothes better than Ecover powder. Also found it dissolved better. Ecover seemed to leave powder undissolved on 40deg washes.

Last issue of Ethical Consumer covered laundry detergents. Can't remember precise details, but overall Ecover came off very well (as did BioD from what I remember). The rating would have included some kind of environmental rating, though I don't recall exactly what it said on that. If I can find the report I'll post some more information.

We have got BioD from health food shops.

novice_money_saver_2

pink_phantom wrote:

If I could find the thanks button, I would press it.:T

Thanks button has disappeared!!!