...
Trying Ecover was on the basis of "I can say I've tried them all". After all, a laundry liquid which took ecological considerations into account wasn't going to be as effective as one that didn't have to, now was it? Wrong – I think it's the best of them all, by a long way.
Ecover ... Read review
Personal Benefits:fresh perfume from plant based ingredientscleans and degreases ... more
efficientlykind to your skinno residue of unnecessary chemicalsalso available as refillEnvironmental Benefits:quick and complete biodegradability(OECD-test 301F full product)minimum impact on aquatic life(OECD-test 201&202 full product)against animal testingsuitable for septic tanksPackaging materialsBottle and labels are made of polyethylene; cap of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 % recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.Instructions for useOne squeeze is enough for a sink full of normally dirty dishes. Cleans effectively without producing excessive bubbles.Complete ingredients listThe list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.AquaSodium Laureth SulfateLauryl PolyglucoseSodium ChlorideCitric AcidParfumLimoneneHydrolized Wheat GlutenAloe Barbadensis GelCitral2-bromo-2-nitropropane-13-diol
Postage & Packaging:£4.87 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Personal Benefits:fresh perfume from plant based ingredientscleans and degreases ... more
efficientlykind to your skinno residue of unnecessary chemicalsalso available as refillEnvironmental Benefits:quick and complete biodegradability(OECD-test 301F full product)minimum impact on aquatic life(OECD-test 201&202 full product)against animal testingsuitable for septic tanksPackaging materialsBottle and labels are made of polyethylene; cap of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 % recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.Instructions for useOne squeeze is enough for a sink full of normally dirty dishes. Cleans effectively without producing excessive bubbles.Complete ingredients listThe list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.AquaSodium Laureth SulfateLauryl PolyglucoseSodium ChlorideCitric AcidParfumLimoneneHydrolized Wheat GlutenAloe Barbadensis GelCitral2-bromo-2-nitropropane-13-diol
Postage & Packaging:£2.50 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Personal Benefits:* fresh perfume from plant based ingredients* cleans and degreases ... more
efficiently* kind to your skin* no residue of unnecessary chemicals* also available as refillEnvironmental Benefits:* quick and complete biodegradability(OECD-test 301F full product)* minimum impact on aquatic life(OECD-test 201&202 full product)* against animal testing* suitable for septic tanksPackaging materialsBottle and labels are made of polyethylene; cap of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 % recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.Instructions for useOne squeeze is enough for a sink full of normally dirty dishes. Cleans effectively without producing excessive bubbles.Complete ingredients listThe list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.* Aqua* Sodium Laureth Sulfate* Lauryl Polyglucose* Sodium Chloride* Citric Acid* Parfum* Limonene* Hydrolized Wheat Gluten* Aloe Barbadensis Gel* Citral* 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-13-diol
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Personal Benefits:fresh perfume from plant based ingredientskind to your skincleans and ... more
degreases efficientlyno residue of unnecessary chemicals left on your dishesalso available as refillEnvironmental Benefits:quick and complete biodegradability(OECD-test 301F full product)minimum impact onaquatic life(OECD-test 201&202 full product)against animal testingsuitable for septic tanksplant based ingredients except milk wheyPackaging material:Bottle and labels are made of polyethylene; cap of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 % recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.Instructions for use:One squeeze is enough for a sink full of normally dirty dishes. Cleans effectively without producing excessive bubbles. Complete ingredients list: The list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.AquaSodium Laureth SulfateLauryl PolyglucoseSodium ChlorideWheyCitric AcidParfumLimonene2-bromo-2-nitropropane-13-diolCa lendula Officinalis ExtractChamomilla Recutita Extract
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This fruity new addition to Ecovers washing up liquid range leaves your dishes fresh and ... more
sparkling clean. It contains a natural grapefruit fragrance and Green Tea extract which is known for its anti-odour properties. As youd expect our new formula adheres to our strict ecological principles its made with plant and mineral ingredients for minimal impact on the environmentPersonal Benefits:fresh perfume from plant based ingredientscontains Gree Tea extract - known for its anti-odour propertiescleans and degreases efficientlykind to your skinno residue of unnecessary chemicalsEnvironmental Benefits:quick and complete biodegradability(OECD-test 301F full product)minimum impact on aquatic life(OECD-test 201&202 full product)against animal testingsuitable for septic tanksPackaging materialsBottle and labels are made of polyethylene; cap of polypropylene. Polyethylene and polypropylene are 100 % recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.Instructions for useOne squeeze is enough for a sink full of normally dirty dishes. Cleans effectively without producing excessive bubbles.Complete ingredients listThe list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.AquaSodium Laureth SulfateLauryl PolyglucoseSodium ChlorideCitric AcidParfum2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-13-DiolLimonene
Postage & Packaging:£1.49 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A non-biological product which is kind to the skin and to the environment. Not tested on animals. Disadvantages: More expensive than other non-biological laundry liquids.
...get.
Trying Ecover was on the basis of "I can say I've tried them all". After all, a laundry liquid which took ecological considerations into account wasn't going to be as effective as one that didn't have to, now was it? Wrong – I think it's the best of them all, by a long way.
Ecover began producing environmentally-friendly soaps in a farmhouse in northern Belgium in 1979. By the late 1980s it became obvious ... ...surroundings. Importantly for me Ecover are against animal testing.
Their non-biological liquid won't stand out on the supermarket shelf, with its colourless, opaque bottle. I like it though because it has an inset handle, which makes lifting, carrying and pouring easier for me. The bottle and the cap are 100% recyclable, but I wish I had some way of refilling it. The bottle says that it is refillable, but I can't find anyone locally ... more
A long time ago I used Bold for all our laundry. It cleaned well and had a pleasant smell. At the time our elder dog was but a puppy (she's nearly five years old now) and one day I found that her tummy was covered in oozing spots. We saw the vet that morning. He obviously has a prepared set of questions for these occasions.
"…and do you wash the bedding regularly with a biological washing powder?"
"Of course" I said "the bedding's washed every week and I use Bold".
"That's almost certainly the answer then." he said. "Biological washing products are a common cause of skin problems in animals and humans."
I changed to Fairy. For some reason I equated Fairy's logo of the baby in a fluffy nappy with a seven-stone Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. There was an immediate improvement in her skin condition and Peter and I noticed that our skin felt more comfortable. Our clothes weren't completely comfortable though and my next stop was Persil non-biological liquid. This was much the same and I was beginning to think that this would be as good as I could get.
Trying Ecover was on the basis of "I can say I've tried them all". After all, a laundry liquid which took ecological considerations into account wasn't going to be as effective as one that didn't have to, now was it? Wrong – I think it's the best of them all, by a long way.
Ecover began producing environmentally-friendly soaps in a farmhouse in northern Belgium in 1979. By the late 1980s it became obvious that they needed larger premises and they built their own factory. Even this is ecologically sound, being built as far as possible from recycled and recyclable materials. It's been designed so as to have minimal impact on the surroundings. Importantly for me Ecover are against animal testing.
Their non-biological liquid won't stand out on the supermarket shelf, with its colourless, opaque bottle. I like it though because it has an inset handle, which makes lifting, carrying and pouring easier for me. The bottle and the cap are 100% recyclable, but I wish I had some way of refilling it. The bottle says that it is refillable, but I can't find anyone locally who supplies the contents without the bottle! The cap doubles as a measure and here I have a slight quibble. When the bottle is very full it is difficult not to tip too much into the measure, but this only applies for the first couple of washes, after which the flow becomes more controllable. The cap is designed so that any residue drips back into the bottle rather than down the side of it!
It's a clear light-amber colour and is not quite as thick as washing-up liquid. I had come to favour laundry products which were dispensed in the machine's drum. If it's necessary to put liquid or powder into the dispenser drawer of the machine I've frequently found that there was some left there at the end of the cycle, but I've never had this problem with Ecover. The drawer is sparkling clean!
The smell of the product is difficult to describe. I think "soapy with minimal undertones of lavender" is the closest I can get! It's very easy to think that if clothes smell clean they are clean and the producers of laundry products play heavily on this. Unfortunately the strong perfumes of most products come from synthetic fragrances which stick to the laundry and are in close and constant contact with the skin. For some people (or animals) this will mean skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Even small amounts of these synthetic fragrances can cause problems for fish and insects when the water is drained away. Ecover doesn't use synthetic fragrances, but only plant-based fragrance. I'll gladly do without the smell of a summer meadow or a pine forest! It also has an excellent level of biodegradability with the least effect on fish and insects possible.
So, how well does it perform? My normal cycle for the washing machine is at 30°C and I use the minimum amount of liquid recommended – two capfuls or 60ml. I use this for washing both whites and coloureds. The bottle label does suggest that Ecover bleach should be added to the wash for the best results with whites, but I've never found this necessary. White underwear remains white for at least as long as it did with other products.
I was concerned that my coloureds would fade. Ecover doesn't contain optical brighteners, as they attach themselves to the skin irreversibly, but I've found no noticeable fading. Peter's office shirts still look bright and crisp and the golf kit he's wearing this afternoon looks new despite the fact that it isn't.
I use a 40°C cycle for more heavily stained laundry, but I've found no need to increase the amount of liquid. The old towels used to dry muddy paws come clean, as do the jeans splattered with mud from the same paws. I spot treat stains such as tomato sauce or curry, but I've had to do that with every non-biological product.
Once a week I do a 60°C wash for dishcloths, tea towels, face cloths and the like. The results are on a par with the other non-biological products which I've tried.
I'm not big on hand-washing, but I have occasionally used Ecover for this. One capful of liquid in a bowl of water will deal with all those fragile things which you don't want to risk in the washing machine. I haven't felt the need to use rubber gloves either – something which I would never have risked with other hand-wash liquids.
You're thinking that all this is too good to be true aren't you? Well, it does work out a more expensive than other products. I compared it with the Persil non-bio liquid. In Sainsbury's this week the Persil liquid is £3.29 for the same size bottle. The recommended dose for each wash is 50ml, so a bottle will provide 30 washes, at just less than 11p per wash. The Ecover was priced at £3.99 and gives 25 washes at just less than 16p per wash. Personally I think that an extra 5p per wash is a small price to pay for a product which is better for me, my family, our dogs and the environment in general.
It even stops a spotty dog!
Quick notes
Approved by The Vegan Society
Bottle size: 1.5L
Suitable for septic tanks
Information on other Ecover products can be found at www.ecover.com
Advantages: eco-friendly Disadvantages: none that I can think of
...for whites and stubborn stains, Ecover also sell a powder bleach.
I love the unusual fragrance which makes your clothes smell like pine. It isn't long-lasting - just as long as it takes the clothes to dry. But I say if you want to smell of something other than yourself, well, wear a perfume!
Clothes come out of the machine soft and clean. There is no irritation on wearing, and I am quite sensitive to harsh products which would normally give me ... ...that they are an entirely eco-friendly company. Not only is each product environmentally sound, but the whole company's policy is to recycle and use renewable energy sources across all factories, warehouses etc. This is different to other companies that sell environmentally-friendly products as well as ranges that are not.
I can't give an exact price for this product, as my darling boyf always buys it. He reckons it's about £2 - £2.50 per bottle, ...
faithbuck 25.09.2001 (28.09.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Liquid Washing Liquid
Advantages: A green product Disadvantages: Can gum up your machine
...to the subject at hand, Ecover washing liquid. At first, we thought that it was fantastic. Not quite as good as the non-green products we had been using previously, but, as my wife remarked, "we do need to make a compromise for the sake of the environment."
But then we noticed that the washing machine was starting to gum up with a rather nasty solid material which was like a chalky powdery residue, which was a weird colour.
And the clothes were ... ...problem was caused by the Ecover washing liquid.
Our suspicion was confirmed when we asked a friend if they had noticed a similar problem. They had switched to Ecover washing liquid just before we had. They hadn't noticed a similar problem, but admitted that they had not looked for it, either.
When they did look they also noticed that there was a severe clogging problem with the same gungy deposit. Our friends believed that their washing machine ...
Martinscholes 18.01.2006 (29.01.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ecover Washing Liquid Washing Liquid
Advantages: Eco-friendly, easy to use, non-bio liquid Disadvantages: More expensive than other non-bio liquid
Ecover products are excellent. I began using them after the birth of my son as we are now doing a lot more laundry ! The big appeal of this product for me is that I can get refills from my nappy service. I was beginning to get annoyed by all the excess packaging that was ending up in my bin (our local recycling centre does not take plastic) and decided to try Ecover.
The liquid comes in a 1.5 L bottle. You put 2 and 1/3 of a cap in a full load, ... ...very big). It is suitable for all usual types of machine-washable fabrics and over a wide temperature range. I have achieved excellent cleaning results from 40 - 95 degrees celsius, and with hand-washing. The liquid has a pleasant herbal odour and leaves clothes fresh-smelling with no soapy residue. It does not irritate the skin even if you spill the neat liquid on yourself.
I note on the back of the bottle that it is not harmful to aquatic animals, ...
minkamae 06.08.2004 (08.08.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ecover Washing Liquid Washing Liquid
Advantages: Gentle on delicates Disadvantages: None
Ecover washing liquid is great for hand or machine* washing delicates and woolies. It has a lovely natural smell with no harsh chemicals and is completely biodegradable. Most councils also recycle this sort of plastic container - but better still look for health food shops that refill bottles, our local one does. *With reference to an earlier reviewer who said it gunged up the washing machine, a repair man I had long ago said don't use washing liquids ... ...Ecover washing liquid is really nice to use, kind to you hands, to the rivers, the fishes, the environment, and not too bag for your purse. I find the price compares well will other specialist liquids for delicates. It doesn't foam too much so is easy to rinse out afterwards. Finish off with Ecover fabric conditioner to feel really virtuous! ...
Pam55 06.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ecover Washing Liquid Washing Liquid
Advantages: Light on the earth Disadvantages: Costs a bit more
When the ecover range of products appeared on the market in the UK I was thrilled. The impacts of our efforts to remain clean and fresh cost the planet, so here was a solution to my cleaning and washing angst.
However, the first question is - does it work? In a word, yes. It's so disappointing when an eco-friendly product is launched, but then doesn't work as well as the standard product and is shunned by the environmentally and non-environmentally ... ...of ecover at cleaning my clothes - at all temperatures! Clear instructions on the bottle indicate how much product is needed for different levels of dirtiness and different types of water.
The only downside of the product - the higher price compared with some other products - is a minor issue. The price differential is low enough for me to happily choose ecover over and over again. And lest I forget, additional benefits come with the packaging. ...
onia 03.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ecover Washing Liquid Washing Liquid
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Advantages: A good quality environmentally friendly product Disadvantages: maybe a little short on bubbles
EcoverWashing up liquid comes simply bottled in plain white plastic ,but the packaging goes one step further,the bottle and label are made from polyethylene and the cap is made from polypropylene,both of which are 100 % recyclable.
What Ecover say about the product :
The liquid is freshly perfumed and made from plant ingredients.It cleans and degreases efficiently and is kind to your skin.
The liquid leaves no residue and it is possible to get a refill for your bottle.
Refills are available from many health food shops and your bottle will refill over 50 times before it needs replacing.
Ecover deliver the washing up liquid to the Health food shops in large drums that are also recyclable.
I sent for a free sample of lemon Ecoverwashing up liquid from HotDealsUK ,like many of us I just love a freebie.
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Advantages: An effective and gentle washing up liquid Disadvantages: None
I decided to try Surcare as I intensely disliked the stong fragrance used by other washing up liquids and the aftertaste the residue left in cups etc if they are not thoroughly rinsed. I had tried Ecoverwashing up liquid but that was a little more expensive than the usual brands. One day I happened to spot Surcare on the supermarket shelves and decided to give it a try. Mainly because it was very reasonably priced at 76p and much cheaper than the most commonly known brand of washing up liquid.
At the moment they are on offer in Tesco's at 2 for a £1...
Surcare is specially made for those people who suffer from sensitive skins. It is unperfumed, dermatologist approved and contains no dyes. It comes in an atractive white 500ml bottle with a picture of a mother and young baby on the front.
The liquid is clear and unperfumed. You ...
Advantages: Just the right bubbles, mild, nice smell, good price. Disadvantages: Hard to find anywhere really.
container can be completely destroyed by burning under approved conditions without emitting toxic gases."
The address given for the producers is;
FAITH PRODUCTS LIMITED
Unit 5, Kay Street,
Bury,
Lancs,
BL9 6BU,
England
Tel 0161 764 2555
Fax 0161 762 9129
The triangle symbol with a bunny in it looks like the BUAV (British Union For The Abolition of Vivisection) symbol, but without the letters BUAV I'm not sure if they have approved this or not.
I paid £5.95 for my 5 litre bottle. Compare this with Ecover Vegan Washing up liquid (Lemon and Aloe Vera) at £8.85 for 5 litres. I was surprised when I found out some Ecoverwashing up liquids were not vegan.
Safe, gentle and caring? I'd say so and would buy this in preference to any other washing up liquid. Availability? Not in the supermarkets and I haven't seen it in many health ...
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