While it's true that the main focus of Ecover is the environment, and they have thought of their product's environmental consequences at every stage in detail, they surprisingly talk very little about just how well their products work or what other advantages they have.
Several others have written excellent in depth reviews about the low environmental impact of this product here, so I won't discuss it in too much detail when you have so much information available close by. My aim is to compare it against other products on performace, and other relevant factors such as effects on skin. However, in summary, the Ecover brand products are made in a specially designed and built ecological factory that consumes minimal energy and doesn't generate any toxic waste materials. The products themselves are entirely made of plant extracts and minerals, and they're tested for maximum biodegradability and low toxicity. The residues left in the water shouldn't be any less biodegradable than the food stains you washed away with it. Finally, the bottle, label and cap are all made of compatible materials, meaning you can easily recycle them together. You can read much more about their products, the factory and the environment on their website which is printed at the bottom of this page.
Anyway, enough about the environment and the factory, there's plenty to be said about the product in the home as well. A lot of people believe all they get extra for their money is the above environmental advantages, and while I feel these alone are well worth the small extra expense, it should be mentioned that ecover is no different to any other premium brand. While these brands cost more per liter than the cheaper generic ones, they have numerous advantages such as better cleaning, a pleasanter smell and even better value for money. Cheaper brands often contain less active ingredients and require much more to clean to the same standard, often in my experience so much more that they become poor value for money. Too many people shop by liters and Kg and forget that the quantity of cleaning a product can do is more important than the sheer bulk of it. I'm extremely budget conscious and am convinced that in many cases buying a higher quality product saves money as it lasts far longer. Fortunately, Ecover washing up liquid does seem to be saving me money as a little goes a very long way. It cuts through the grease very well and I found that my dishes and kitchenware instantly started to feel cleaner than before, even with the small quantities I use. One of the biggest improvements I noticed was when I washed the glass vases and fruit bowls, normally right after washing them I'd pull out the can of spray polish to make them look really clean and sparkling, but for once they were allready entirely clean. There was no greasy or chemical residue to make them dull. The plates and glasses feel what I would call "dishwasher clean" where there is nothing left behind, only water. Another important side effect is that it doesn't seem to dry my skin out at all, in fact it feels like it's been washed in quality hand soap. The dry skin problem with my hands has thankfully left with the old chemical washing up liquid. In fact, it's so good for skin that I've been using it as a cheaper substitute for liquid soap. A lot of visitors have been asking what the nice smelling soap that made their hands feel softer is called. It's actually hard to believe this is a washing up liquid as it's quite different in every way, it smells subtle, it doesn't dry the skin out or leave a chemical residue behind, it's not even garishly coloured and doesn't make a mountain of useless foam in the sink.
I'm glad I tried it, and I know I won't be going back to the chemical brands I used to buy. Not only is it environmentally sound, it's also financially sound. Plus it cleans really well.
A link you may find interesting: www.ecover.com
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Thanks everyone for the welcome and good opinions of my review, I'm pleased you all found it so helpful! It's also pleasing to note that while looking at your own reviews; you all seem to write well.
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:£3.31 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 on aquatic 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...
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...
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 mineralingredients 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:£3.61 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
![Ecover Washing-up Liquid Camomile 500ml Ref VEVWUL [Pack 2]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/76076534.jpg "Ecover Washing-up Liquid Camomile 500ml Ref VEVWUL [Pack 2]")
Apr 21st, 2005
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