Best eco laundry detergent

[cortisolqueen]

Trying to be a bit more environmentally friendly with washing/cleaning product, but found that soap nuts & the laundry egg just don't get clothes as clean as I'd like.

Can anyone recommend eco friendly laundry powder/liquid/capsules?


----
This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for recommendations, we’ve recently updated our best laundry detergents page with lots of great options, as tried and tested by Mumsnet users. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

[smurfmonkey]

Have a look at Smol, not sure how eco friendly you want to be but they do offer a good alternative to the products you can buy at the supermarket.

I've had no issues getting clothes clean using their capsules.

[WeeM]

I came to say Smol too, been using them a while and really like them and not overly expensive. Also get their surface spray and fabric conditioner.

[MariahsBaubles]

Ecover does the job for me.
Their dishwasher tablets are a bit crap imo but their laundry soap is brilliant.

[Avrenim]

We now use Dr Beckmanns flat soap sheets (can't remember exact name sorry) and are big fans, they dissolve completely, smell nice, and get clothes surprisingly clean ( we sometimes add vinegar if it's a uniform wash).

[cortisolqueen]

Some great ideas here - I'm going to investigate!

[DumpedByText]

I use SMOL laundry and dishwasher tablets, they do a great job and everything comes out clean.

[Itssooooocold]

Trouble with SMOL is that they're still water based so heavy to transport. The sheets are much greener as they're very lightweight (don't use anything like as much energy to transport) The Green Company do them as do Earth Breeze. They work equally as well and smell really nice.

[HJ40]

I think it depends what counts as eco for you. For me it is using minimal energy first and foremost, so I like Ariel for the ability to get things clean in a 30 degree quick wash.

[Pyjamageddon]

I use Earth Breeze detergent sheets. They come in paper packaging and disintegrate completely in the wash. I'm on my second pack. It's not ever so clear on the pack but you only have to use half a sheet per load. They also give to charity for every pack sold. SO much better than a big plastic bottle imo and the clothes come out just as clean.

[Pyjamageddon]

Forgot to say I use the sheets in a 30° wash as well as hotter washes if needed and they're fine.

[ReviewingTheSituation]

Smol here too. They work fine at low temps. They offer a free trial so you've got nothing to lose! We use their dishwasher tabs too.

[ReviewingTheSituation]

@HJ40

I think it depends what counts as eco for you. For me it is using minimal energy first and foremost, so I like Ariel for the ability to get things clean in a 30 degree quick wash.

A quick wash is generally one of the most energy guzzling programmes on most machines. Eco washes take a lot longer but use a lot less electricity and water. Counterintuitive, but true.

[done4now]

I like Ecover and use it at 30 or lower for everything except whites and towels. We have a couple of local shops where you can refill the bottles.

[Ikeabag]

We tried smol but they made everything stink like synthetics do when left in the machine too long, it was really bad. Didn't know that about eco setting, always wondered why it was the longest. I used to like ecover. Husband moaned the washing smelled weird. It might be worth checking whether there's a local packaging free place where you decant stuff into your own containers, that's cheaper and generally more environmentally friendly because of the space required to transport them. I really need to look into why washing powders are bad and less bad in terms of their ingredients.

[Slowgrowingelm]

Ecover non bio powder normally, although I can’t seem to find it at the moment. Three teens, lots of sports, school and gym gear that I wash on 20 or 30* depending on how full or dirty the load is. I use slightly less than the pack suggests, in a hard water area, and the washing always smells clean.

[Nsky62]

Bio d the best ( health food shops or online), no bleaches or enzymes added, easily buy un fragranced, I add powdered bleach and stain remover as needed

[AllAboutMargot]

We use Earth Breeze sheets for all our washing. Really easy to use and give good results at 30 degrees. As pp mentioned they donate free sheets to women's charities for every pack you buy.

[FictionalCharacter]

Another vote for Earthbreeze sheets. Work well, packaged in recyclable paper, easy to use, can be used on delicates, wool etc.

[CalistoNoSolo]

Ecover fan here, for wu liquid and laundry liquid. I tried the soap nuts too - utter rubbish.



Try the Ethical Superstore for a huge choice of eco household stuff www.ethicalsuperstore.com

[hiredandsqueak]

I use Surcare as it's kind on skin as well

[Ilovehoumous]

We love Reco Laundry Sheets. They are great at getting stains out at 30, they are super compact, plastic free and I love a subscription so you get a discount! We've tried everything here and are finally happy. I wasn't a fan of an eco egg and even less so of soapnuts!

[Str0ngH3art]

Eco non bio liquid. All I’ve used for years and lovely lavender smell

[greenacrylicpaint]

ecover bio powder

[BatildaB]

I put anything dirtier or stained in a bucket with some vinegar for a while then it goes in with soapnuts tied in a bag with some drops of essential oil, and that seems to handle everything and isn’t as much of a faff as it sounds. I do keep some non bio on hand in case of anything out of the ordinary that needs a blast of chemicals.

[sunshineinselondon]

@Ilovehoumous great minds, we use Reco Sheets too!