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THE PRODUCT
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During one of my rare trips to Waitrose (where I always seem to be able to discover new products) I was very surprised to discover their wide range of enviromentally-friendly cleaning products and especially the Ecover range.
As I needed to buy some Bio washing ... Read review
Personal Benefit:plant based ingredientsnon-perfumedexceptional washing results even at ... more
low temperaturesno optical brightenerssafe for all white and colourfast laundryEnvironmental Benefit: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 materialCarton box is made of 95 % recycled cardboardInstructions for useEcover Non Biological Washing Powder is recommended for coloureds and is economical to use. For whites and colourfast laundry add Ecover Laundry Bleach. For a load of normally soiled laundry just 83 ml per load. Run your machine as per the manufacturers instructions. Increase the dose for heavily soiled laundry and for hard water. Decrease the dose for soft water.Dosages for one full wash (4-5 kg) light normal heavy soiling soiling soiling50 ml 75 ml 115 ml (soft water)58 ml 83 ml 125 ml (medium water)67 ml 92 ml 135 ml (hard water)75 ml &nbs
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Personal Benefits: tough on dirt easy on your clothesno optical brightenerssuitable for ... more
all white and colourfast laundry respects your skin Environmental 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 tanksTo read about the changes we have made to our laundry products please click here.Packaging materialCarton is made of 97% recycled cardboard.Instructions for useEcover Biological washing powder is recommended for whites and colourfast laundry.Dosages for one full wash (4.5 kg) Light Soiling NormalSoilingHeavy SoilingSoft30ml83ml150mlMedium58ml115ml170mlHard83 ml150ml200mlComplete ingredients list The list below displays ingredients in descending order with those present in highest quantities first.Sodium DisilicateSodium Carbonate PeroxideSodium C12-18 AlkylsulfateSodium BicarbonateEthoxylated Rapeseed Methyl EstersSodium CitrateSodium SulfateTetra Acetyl Ethylene Diamine (TAED)Sodium CocoateSodium Poly AsparaginateMagnesium SulfateCellulose GumPa
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Personal Benefit:plant based ingredientsnon-perfumedexceptional washing results even at ... more
low temperaturesno optical brightenerssafe for all white and colourfast laundryEnvironmental Benefit: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 materialCarton box is made of 95 % recycled cardboardInstructions for useEcover Non Biological Washing Powder is recommended for coloureds and is economical to use. For whites and colourfast laundry add Ecover Laundry Bleach. For a load of normally soiled laundry just 83 ml per load. Run your machine as per the manufacturers instructions. Increase the dose for heavily soiled laundry and for hard water. Decrease the dose for soft water.Dosages for one full wash (4-5 kg) light normal heavy soiling soiling soiling50 ml 75 ml 115 ml (soft water)58 ml 83 ml 125 ml (medium water)67 ml 92 ml 135 ml (hard water)75 ml &nbs
Postage & Packaging:£8.59 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Doesn't harm the environment Disadvantages: Some people might find it pricey
...cleaning products and especially the Ecover range.
As I needed to buy some Bio washing powder I decided to give this version of their range a go and put it in my shopping basket. They also had the Non-Bio version but since I still had some Fairy Liquid at home I thought I would wait until this was finished. I am very silly you see, I have both Bio and Non-Bio at home as I use the first one for whites and the second one for colours, you see ... ...fruity about it!!
The Ecover smell was really nice indeed, and so far I was happy with my purchase and felt happy with my choice.
What is really important about this product is that it is quickly and completely biodegradable, has minimum impact on aquatic life, is not tested on animals, it is approved by the vegan society (so no animal derivatives in it).
If you really would like to know the ingredients please find a ... more
People who might have read my previous reviews might have gathered I am trying my best to live a normal healthy life and cause as minimal damage to the environment. I try to pay attention to products and see if their containers can be recycled, if they are genetically modified, if they are tested on animals, if they are fair trade and so on.. We all can agree on the point that since media is bombarding us with the message that global warming is real and is happening, we are (FINALLY) doing something about it... the only question I ask myself is if we might be too late..
THE PRODUCT ************ During one of my rare trips to Waitrose (where I always seem to be able to discover new products) I was very surprised to discover their wide range of enviromentally-friendly cleaning products and especially the Ecover range. As I needed to buy some Bio washing powder I decided to give this version of their range a go and put it in my shopping basket. They also had the Non-Bio version but since I still had some Fairy Liquid at home I thought I would wait until this was finished. I am very silly you see, I have both Bio and Non-Bio at home as I use the first one for whites and the second one for colours, you see the enzyme on the first one would be too strong on the colours and they might fade, on the other hand the Non-Bio would be too weak on the whites in order to keep them white!
The packet I bought was in tablets, I have never seen around a liquid version of their washing powder and like the common brands we have on the market they look like cylinders of roughly 1inch 1/2 in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. The tablets are packed in two and are wrapped by a transparent plastic where you can clearly read "Ecover" across. As per all the other tablets on the market handle them with care as they might crumble or turn soggy if close to liquids. The tablets are creamy in colour and they smell of fresh and clean, this smell is not at all overpowering but delicate and does not feel in any way "artificial", perhaps like me you might have tried a brand with an overpowering smell which just was not right.. the box stated it smelled of "Tropical" but there was nothing fruity about it!! The Ecover smell was really nice indeed, and so far I was happy with my purchase and felt happy with my choice.
What is really important about this product is that it is quickly and completely biodegradable, has minimum impact on aquatic life, is not tested on animals, it is approved by the vegan society (so no animal derivatives in it). If you really would like to know the ingredients please find a list in descending order, therefore indicating the highest in quantity first:
PACKAGING *********** This product comes packed in a carton box (which can be fully recycled) and is made of 97% recycled cardoboard and looks like in the Ciao picture above. It is white in colour and says in bold letters Ecover (the first 3 letters in blue and the last three in green). The box contains the tablets wrapped in twos and in my box there are 16 packets, therefore 32 tablets in total. For a nornal washing I use two tablets, for a half load I just pop one tablet, no need to overdo it as there is no need plus this product is expensive too.
Bear in mind you do not get a free net in the box ( one of those net bags where you can put the tablets in to avoid direct contact with your clothes) therefore you could use one you might have from previous brands. I also tend not to put the tablets in the drawer like some people I know do because they never fully dissolve and inevitably the deposit start building up going mouldy and smelly. I suppose this problem is greatly increased in my case as I to stick to low temperatures like 30 / 40, perhaps in higher temperatures the tablets melt more easily.
As far as temperatures are concerned the packet mentions that the product can be easily used with 30, 40, 60 and 95 degrees, which I feel is not bad at all: it suits all types of washing!
HOW TO USE IT? ************* Simply open the box, use one tablet for a half load and two for a normal one. Once done you can easily close the box again and do make sure you store it away from pets and children (although made of natural ingredients they are still detergents and therefore harmful!).
IS MY WASHING CLEAN AND HAPPY? ********** As far as my eyes can see this product does the same job as a normal leading brand on the market, it does not leave residues, dirt is removed, clothes are clean and smell nice, as mentioned before it is not an overpowering smell but rather delicate and pleasant, on top of this they also have a really lovely fabric conditioner so if you have a really posh nose you could give it a try. Furthermore I tend to use Vanish on really tough stains and found out Ecoves also has a stain remover, so I will most definitely give this a go once I have run out of my product and might let you know how that goes!!
WHO IS ECOVER? ********** Ecover company founded in 1980 in Belgium which produces ecological detergents and cleansing products. According to their website Ecover has been a real pioneer as it produced a phosphate-free washing powder even before phosphates were branded as harmful to the environment!
Apart from their main Head Office in Belgium, it has sites in the United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland, and its products are sold in more than 20 countries!!
I thought to include a small list of some of the prizes this company has received through the years, I am listing the ones I think are rather important so that we can understand better their work and general phylosophy:
2006 Allergy Awards - Best Home Solutions Range
2006 PETA Best Cruelty-Free Household Cleaning Product Company Proggy Award, UK
2004 Best Eco Cleaning Product Health Food Business, UK
2001 Best Vegetarian Non-Food Product, UK
2006 Allergy Awards - Best Home Solutions Range
THEIR PRODUCTS ********** As mentioned before they do all sorts of products: Washing up liquid Limescale remover Toilet cleaner Dishwasher tablets Fabric softener Compost bags Shower gel Lots and lots more!
MY OPINION ********** I agree this product is more expensive compared to other brands although I have to admit that most brands sell tablets for up to 10 /12 washings with Ecover you get 16 insted. Now, the damage... according to Tesco's is £4.89... I know some people might find this price prohibitive and totally agree.. You are still not convinced?? How about the thought that this product does not harm our environment? I have reached my thirties and I hope to have a family in the near future and I am very worried my kids will suffer and live in an awful world because earlier generations could not be bothered or thought that all this talk about saving the world was just a waste of time. I totally understand some people might find it hard to pull through the end of the month with payments and struggle to bring up children but my message is just to people who can easily make the choice to try and do it, try and change things for the better.. Our governament is looking into finding new ways to make us pay for travel taxes this and that as an excuse for pollution but they dont' seem to be bothered to regulate and put down firm rules on companies which produce our cleaning products so that we would not be put in the situation of making a choice as the good one would already be made for us. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and I believe that if common people stuck toghether and do whatever they can, within their means, that would help a lot, that would mean a lot to anyone of us. If I really-really had to find a disadvantage about this product apart from the price I would say the amount of carton in the outer box, in fact it could be slightly less as they leave a gap which you could fill with another full fow of tablets, so suppose this little wastage could be avoided!
For more information please look at www.ecover.com
Advantages: Smells lovely, cleans perfectly, economical and ecological. Perfect in every way! Disadvantages: Only that I took so long to start using it!!!
...In Belgium, in 1980, Ecover was founded as a pioneering company, selling phosphate free products. As a company, Ecover is very concerned about environmental issues and in 1992 they opened the world’s first ecological factory – it has a green “live” roof! If you read the back of your washing powder box, it will tell you that this product is made at this very factory!
Every part of their business is covered by ecological policy, not just the products ... ...actual refill – pretty good!)
Ecover now have sites in the UK and USA, and sell their products in over 20 countries worldwide. All of their products are designed and made keeping environmental benefits to humans and animals as well as the planet herself, at the forefront, and for this, I applaud them!
www.ecover.com
The Thing About Washing Powder.
So you know when you fill your machine with clothes, and pop in a wee tablet, or fill the drawer ...
phoenixgreen 23.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Powder
Advantages: Does a really good job Disadvantages: More expensive than my previous brand
...read my previous op on Ecover washing up liquid will already be aware that I have a conscience when it comes to the environment.
So when I was shopping at my local Waitrose in Brighton a couple of months ago I couldn't possibly ignore the offer staring right at me as I entered the isle of laundry products.......
***Try for free ****
Ecover Concentrated Ecological Washing Powder £4.99
washing powder for people who care!
It comes in a bright, ... ...need to use one with Ecover either.
I have pretty sensitive skin but as yet no nasty reaction has occurred since using Ecover.
Two really good reasons for me using this product :
(1) It is made up using plant based ingredients making it kinder to us :o)
(2) It has an optimum level of biodegradability which by far exceeds legislative requirements which makes it kinder to our environment :o)
Since finishing my first box, I have returned my proof ...
honeybead 08.10.2002 (11.10.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Powder
Advantages: Environmentally friendly, gets laundry clean. Disadvantages: Slight clay-y residue left in drain, a bit expensive.
...true. However in my experience Ecover washing powder does the job just as well as other brands I've tried and has the added benefit of being kind to the environment as well. I've been using it for several years now and am very happy with it.
My experience
I buy it in Tescos where it currently costs £3.88 but in most places (including Tescos till recently) it's more like £4.05. Thie is for a box claiming to do up to 30 washes,( 1200g) so although ... ...in there after the wash. Ecover lists "natural clay" as a non-active ingredient so this is presumably the cause. However it has never caused us major problems (touch wood!) so it doesn't put me off at all. My husband has very sensitive skin and this powder doesn't seem to irritate his skin at all, likewise with me and the boys it seems fine.
Details.
Ecover comes in Biological and Non- Biological types; I use the non bio so can only comment on ...
kitchengoddess 21.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Powder
Advantages: Works with all temperatures, fragrance free, no skin irritation Disadvantages: Slightly more expensive than other makes
...powder, I came across the Ecover website. Now I'd heard of Ecover before, as I had seen adverts on the television years ago for their washing up liquid, however I didn't know that they did washing powder.
I set off to my local Asdas, looked up and down the detergent aisles and saw their selection of Ecover washing powders. They had a variety; there was Biological and Non Biological powders and liquids, and also some Laundry oxygen bleach (which ... ...cardboard scoop that came with Ecover (which is designed to be recycled) and put a full scoop of Ecover into the II compartment of the soap dispenser. I poured the Comfort Easy Iron into the * section, closed the drawer, selected the 60*C Cottons+Linens cycle, pressed Rinse Plus (a good tip when washing towels as they absorb more soap) and pressed start.
The washing machine washed away, tumbling back and forth, adding water every now and then as ...
surgilatoruk 18.10.2003 (19.10.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Powder
Advantages: Good for the environment, and healthier for you Disadvantages: It doesn't come in bigger sizes in the supermarkets, only online
...when I can across the Ecover range.
I feel that the price is not that much different to other brands of washing powder around about £5 and the box says you can get 18-30 washes out of 1200g of powder. I have not as yet counted how many washes I have got out of one box. But it seams to last as long as any other box of washing powder. I have managed to buy it in tesco's so far and my local health food shop. I have been very tempted to buy it online ... ...all the other products of Ecover in bulk too and get your containers refilled.
The box is made from 95% recycled cardboard and instead of a plastic scoop there is a cardboard scoop. The cardboard scoop is flat to being with and you have to open it up. This make it sounds as if it is not very good for scooping up the washing powder, but I have found it to be brilliant. On the inside of the scoop is the doses marked very clearly to help you get the ...
ronica90 17.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ecover Washing Powder
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