Anyone use Ecover?

[Honey1975]

My family seem to all have dry itchy skin. We're all the same and I think it's time to try a different washing liqud/powder.
We've always used persil non bio but I've heard that Ecover is good for sensitive skin so just wondered if anyone uses it could you tell me how you find it.
Does it have a smell and is it effective at getting clothes clean?

[Numberonecook]

Nope and nope. Rubbish here it didn’t clean properly and the washing didn’t smell of anything really. Luckily we don’t have sensitive skin but we switched to method as it’s plant based. Smells lovely and cleans well

[Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es]

We've got Method liquid (green version) and Ecover tabs on the go at the moment. They both clean pretty well but the Method has a highly unpleasant and very strong fragrance and I will never buy it again.

[PerkingFaintly]

I find Ecover fine as a laundry powder, but must admit I don't have particularly challenging laundry.

It doesn't really have a smell. One person with psoriasis in the house, and the Ecover doesn't seem to be causing a problem.

[PerkingFaintly]

Oh, but I am using the Ecover bio: can't tell you how the non-bio performs.

[EcoCleaner]

I won’t touch Ecover since they got bought out by SC Johnson.

Sainsbury’s have just started stocking Neutral powder, that’s really good for sensitive skin.

[PerkingFaintly]

EcoCleaner, would you be kind to an ignoramus and explain why that's significant?

I've been finding Ecover harder to get, so have been contemplating a change.

[EcoCleaner]

Well for me, one of the main reasons to use Ecover is for its eco-credentials. Kind to the skin, kind to the laundry, kind to the environment.

However, SC Johnson have bought out both Ecover & Method. SCJ are one of, if not the, worst companies in the world for animal testing. They score the lowest possible rating in this area on ethical consumer.

For that reason, I no longer view either brands as eco alternatives. Yes, the products may be cruelty free but the profits are going to a parent company that is quiet the opposite.

[Fekko]

Ecover has been fought by a big brand and has subsequently changed frangtana which has irritated some users. There was a thread recently.

Some people recommended a laundry liquid that is sold in Oxfam shops.

[Lostmyemailaddress]

I have 2 dc with skin allergies and we use liquid castile soap to clean and white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil. We get nice clean clothes and they smell how we like them and they are still soft. Dcs school shirts and white baby clothes are still white and no irritations yet.

[EcoCleaner]

Fekko that’s Bio-D. It’s very good stuff too. We use their cleaning sprays, they’re great

[AnnaMagnani]

If you all have dry itchy skin, have you all changed to a shower gel that is SLS free? Or alternatively bar soap - see long running thread on S&B for tips.

SLS is the most common irritant for causing dry itchy skin if you haven't already eliminated it.

[TheDonald]

Yes I've been using recover for years. If I try anything else dd's eczema comes back.

It's fine for normal laundry, bedding and towels. Every now and then I put my running and gym stuff through a wash with normal bio tabs.

The downside is my machine gets quite sludgy in the tray and round the seal. I have to clean it more often.

[Frazzled2207]

I've used ecover for years -laundry detergent and washing up liquid- and never had a problem with it.

I didn't realise it had been bought by scJ though - I might have to reconsider but there is no real (eco) alternative to it in our local Sainsbury's

[PerkingFaintly]

Ah, thanks EcoCleaner.

I buy online from Ethical Superstore, so can get alternatives regardless of local shops.

[EcoCleaner]

PerkingFaintly we use big green smile too, they sell some great stuff

[Bowerbird5]

It caused problems with my washing machine so I had to stop using it. Slimy rubber seal. Otherwise fine.

[brownelephant]

ecover bio powder is good (but hard to find)

but do you wash on warm temperatures with long cycles? powder or liquid?

try washing with powder & an extra rinse&spin to see if that makes a difference.

[rachel98450]

Have you tried the Milton laundry liquid? It's a great alternative to Ecover. Great for sensitive skin, and the smell is fab. I had a huge bottle and it lasted for ages!

[ppeatfruit]

I use Bicarb of soda half a cup or whole if the washing is white and or soiled. With a half cup of white vinegar. Brilliant cleaning No sludge in machine (I put them straight into the drum though). I sometimes use with an ecologically sound detergent that I get in France.

[CinnamonStix]

I'm not sure about Ecover laundry liquid but I use the Ecover fabric softener, which seems to be fine for my kids who have severe eczema.

[LoniceraJaponica]

“Some people recommended a laundry liquid that is sold in Oxfam shops.”

No, no, no. Please don’t buy laundry liquid. It will make things worse and it isn’t good for your washing machine. Laundry liquids don’t contain any bleach, and if used in conjunction with a low temperature wash, will encourage mould growth in your washer, and make the skin problems worse.

DD’s eczema disappeared when I started using Ariel bio pwder. Yes, you read right. The bio powder cleaned everything properly, my washing machine stopped smelling and the mould disappeared – and so did the eczema.

It is commonly thought that the enzymes in bio powder cause the skin problems. It isn’t. It is the perfumes they use.

Failing that, get Eco bio powder. Oh, and I use Fairy conditioner. I started washing without conditioner, but the clothes didn’t feel as nice after a while.

[carbuckety]

Used to use ecover products but don't any more. Very very bad eczema in Youngest DD meant that the amount of the WSParrifin used on her made my washing machines die 6 monthly. Took advice from good housekeeping magazine ( just emailed them) and they did some tests. So I got a replacement door seal from Germany for my machine which was super effective at fighting grease, washed her stuff in Tesco non bio then again with no detergent TWICE on short cycles. With extra rinses. That works.

Ecover were very kind and sent me tons of products to try some of which weren't available in uk

[Munchyseeds]

It took me years to work out that it is the ingredient methylisothiazolinone ( a preservative) that seems to cause my daughter's eczema.
Switched to ecover for washing her clothes and her skin is much better

[Munchyseeds]

Still wash all other stuff with fairy non bio powder so machine is ok