Eco friendly laundry detergent?

[AnnVan]

Hi, i'm considering going over to eco dtergent and have a few questions
1)which is best?
2)Do any of them work as well as regular detergent?
3) Will an eco-detergent have enough oomph to get DS's nappies properly clean?

I've never used an eco friendly detergent so am a bit clueless really - I've heard of eco-balls, soap nuts and Ecover, but just wanted to know a little more really.

I think soda crystals and Borax are supposed to be good.

There was a thread on here last week.

I use soapnuts. I use them for all our washing, including nappies. They do clean stuff properly - the only exception I have to that is white bedding and I usually use either some bicarb in or some soda crystals.

THanks ladies. Googled eco friendly detergents, and most of what came up was 'wash at 30 Ariel' I was thinking more of the ones that don't poison the fish really. Will look into Soda crystals, and maybe give soapnuts a try. DP says he doesn't mind going over to eco ones as long as they work, so going to give it a go.

I like the co-op's own eco one, it comes in very small bags... really don't like ecover.

I've used soapnuts which were very good.

I'm currently using eco-balls which are also good, though if something is stained (and I'm thinking of ds's football kit, grrrrhh white shorts!) then I pre-soak them in a solution of water and borax. This has never failed and the shorts come out brilliantly white.

I should have shares in soda crystals! I use them in a lot of things, including the washing machine, dishwasher and down the sink.

We use Clearspring - v economical too, you only need something like 25ml for a big wash. And doesn't smell as overwhelming as the other kinds!
Bio-D also ok, but it's more expensive and I don't think it washes any better.

I've been looking into it a bit more, and i'm getting strangely excited about trying this. (might sound sad I know) Where would I find soda crystals? We only have a really crap tescos and a Morrisons nearby, and we don't drive so can't go further afield.

We use eco-smart simply sensitive washing tabs. They are the only eco-powder type that seems to actually work. I would say they work as well as any normal powder (unlike the very disappointing ecover). And cheap too.

I like Simply too - I buy them in bulk online. I stopped using Bio-D and Ecover because they just didn't do it, but I find these really effective.

I would have though Morrisons would do Soda Crystals. I think we got ours from Asda but iirc they were hard to find...as in they weren't on the shelf I thought they'd be on

I used to soak nappies with bicarb before washing (bought in bulk from the chemist) & they came out fine with bio-d or clearspring.

I get soda crystals from tescos

Soda crystals can be bought from Wilkinsons.

Second vote for Simply (black box)- not sure what our combo of water/cycle/dirt is but they work for us. I got the first packet from a supermarket but have done an online order since.

aldis had ecoballs last week, they might have some left - about half the price of buying them online

I use Simply too, I really like them and the washing doesn't smell over-perfumed at all.

anyone used soapnuts?

i recieved a sample from a friend recently and gave them a go. they seemed to do the trick but what about longer term? do they still work ? do they do any damage to your washign machine?

I know they don't contain bleach so whites may go a bit dingy after a while

i cant see how or why soap nuts would damage the machine

they do not contain bleach or optical brighteners but ecover laundry bleach would keep whites white.
(they will also, for the same reason not fade coloured clothes)

I've been using soap nuts for a year now and am happy with them. I tried different brands and so far from Eaternal are the strongest. They're also crushed so if any of you has any doubt using them in a washing machine then I recommend these ones. Have a look the Eaternal Soapnuts