Ecover substitute

Nargleblast

I have been a fan of Ecover laundry powder for a few years but the price is getting silly. So, can anyone recommend a lower-priced alternative that

1. Gets clothes clean
2. Is environmentally friendly (as far as a washing powder can be)
3. Is kind to sensitive skin and
4. Doesn't stink to high heaven! Most of the well known brands are so highly perfumed they make me feel sick.

So, any suggestions? I live in a soft water area.

kittieviolet

I use Astonish as its non animal tested/no animal products. Its £1.99 in B and M at the moment. It is scented though. Bio D is another option it is animal and environmentally friendly. Failing that I'm sure I've seen some hand made recipes for laundry powder on the old style forum.

themarsbargirl

I'm a massive fan of the Method brand. I use their liquid pump laundry detergent and only tend to use 1/4 of the recommended amount so I get 100 washes out of tghe bottle making it 3p a load, or if i can't get it on offer 6p a load.

Nargleblast

Thank you both for those suggestions, will look out for them.

terra_ferma

I use eco balls, very kind to sensitive skin, and also don't need a rinse so I use a shorter cycle. Great value for money.

kippers

I make my own laundry liquid and it is so cheap to make and washes well. I use this recipe: http://notjustgreenfingers.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/new-allotment-paths-and-laundry-liquid/ (about half way down to the page)

Nargleblast

terrafirma I'd forgotten about eco balls, used to use them some years ago till they fell to bits! Found they were ok for lightly soiled clothing but not as good for really mucky stuff. However, I will look out for some and give them another go.

kippers I prefer powder to liquid, but I will add your suggestion to my list and definitely give it a go.

All suggestions have been noted, and I will work my way through each one - thanks again, everyone.

terra_ferma

For dirtier laundry I use surcare. The last lot of laundry came out still smelly (armpits wiff and deodorant as if they hadn't been washed at all), that was my cue that I need to re-fill the balls (they are half empty, after well over the number of washes they recommended...).

rach_k

Have you had a look at biggreensmile.com? Lots of options there and you could google for cheaper places for any brands you like the look of although I usually find them pretty good if you wait for offers and do a big enough order to get free postage. I do use Method and tend to stock up on the refill packs when they're on 3 for 2 (seems to happen quite often) but I'm giving the Ecover bio liquid a go at the moment and it seems to have more oomph on whites so I might stick with that and just use Method on colours/darks. I imagine the powder is better than the liquid too so I don't think Method will compare all that well to Ecover. It's still good stuff though.

You could try soap nuts, if you haven't already. They don't do too well on whites over time but that's easily fixed by adding some oxygen bleach like the Ecover stuff or soda crystals. They're cheap, don't smell of anything, rinse clean so great for sensitive skin and once used you can compost them.

adouglasmhor

101 stores are selling planet clean non bio eco laundry liquid for £1 if you have one near you.

Nargleblast

After all the good suggestions from posters I did two things. I ordered some Method laundry liquid on my monthly supermarket online shop, and I bought a pack of Knights Castile soaps and some soda crystals from H*me B@rgs and made my own laundry powder. The Method liquid (fresh air fragrance) smells lovely, not at all overpowering, and it cleans well. It is not cheap but can be used economically. The home made stuff also cleans well and the laundry just smells clean, not of Ylang Ylang or Purple Diamonds or whatever the latest silly phrase from the advertisers is. I will alternate between the two, depending on the washboard. So, once again, thanks for all suggestions and no longer will I be paying silly Ec*over prices.