Ecover Original Non-biological Washing Powder Full Review
Posted: 13 March 2008 by Rikke Bruntse-Dahl
Ecover's non biological washing powder is the king of all environmentally friendly laundry detergents and a staple in many a green household. There is no difference to be detected between using an ordinary washing powder and Ecover and while we quite like the old-fashioned, trusted format of this washing powder -- in terms of looks and performance -- it intrigues us that a product that's quite boring by nature can be so popular.
Just guessing, but it's probably because it's widely available in most supermarkets and independent health food shops and it really works. And even though this one has "no fragrance", the clothes still smell fresh when they come out of the machine and after they've dried, which is quite a bonus when we talk eco-friendly laundry detergents.
We've checked the ingredients in the non biological washing powder and are happy to see that they all look fine. Ecover uses plant- or mineral-based ingredients and none of its products contains phosphates, which have been heavily criticised for harming the environment and which are found in most conventional washing powders. According to Ecover, all its products biodegrade completely and quickly, which can only be a good thing.
One of the reasons why we appreciate Ecover so much is its thorough green approach, from its products and its packaging -- in this case the box is made from 97 per cent recycled cardboard -- to its two factories, which are built with sustainable materials. Products destined for the UK, which is Ecover's biggest market, are made at the French Ecover factory in Calais so as not to travel too far. We like the consideration.
On the ethical side, Ecover has been criticised for testing the aquatic toxicity of its products on water fleas. Vegans will be pleased to hear, however, that this particular product carries the Vegan Society stamp. So no ethical qualms here. We should also mention that generally speaking, Ecover does take a stand against animal testing.
Like Ecover's other products, this one is available in a handy size (1.2kg) and in bulk (10kg). The widely available 1.2kg box will generally set you back around 36p per wash, which is more expensive than both the Ecoballs and Soapods. As the performances are similar, we feel Ecover is a little overpriced.
Ecover has also recently launched another non-biological washing powder that integrates the company's laundry bleach and a fragrance, for people who want their whites to go whiter and for their laundry to have more of a scent. The new version sounds up to speed with what people would want from a washing powder, but actually, we are quite satisfied with the original formula as it is.
Quality
Value
Ethics
Green
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