Page 5 | NOW CLOSED: Ecover product testers review thread

MeghanMc · 03/02/2012 10:41

Sincere apology for the late reply as I was getting round to test the products

I am testing the Kitchen Set includes All Purpose Cleaner, Pomegranate Washing Up Liquid, Multi Action Spray.

Q1. What were your thoughts and feelings about Ecover products prior to trying them? Had you used any before? What was your overall impression of the Ecover products you tried?

I always thought Ecover products are for people who are concerned about the 'environment' or trying to be greener. Personally I haven't bought any Ecover product but I have used tried them over at friend's house. I remembered I have to clean my daughter's lunch container twice to remove the grease. So I wasn't overly impressed.

Q2. Thinking about the pack you tried for MN, what did you think of the overall results of the products? Was it what you expected? Did the product 'do the job'? Do you like the smell or the feel of the product?

I have to admit I am impressed with the results of the kitchen pack, may be not too much with the washing up liquid. However, the Multi Action Spray does a fantastic job and the result is as good as my usual Flash with lavender spray! I even compared them side-by-side to remove cooking grease/stains off my stove (half sprayed with Flash and the other with Ecover) and the result is equally good. I didn't expect Ecover to work as well as Flash consider it is 'eco-friendly'. The smell was pleasant, not overly strong but more importantly it doesn't dry out my skin!

Q3. What did you think of the product?s packaging? Did you read anything surprising on the packaging? Are the GHI/sensitive skin logos important to you? The plastic is made from renewable sugar cane, was this made clear on the pack? Is this important to you?

The packaging is a bit neutral, nothing to 'catchy' (like shocking pink packaging!). I didn't realise the plastic is made from renewable sugar cane until I read here, possibly should make it clearer on the packaging so we know the bottle can be recycled. Also, the GHI/sensitive skin logos should be clearer. I wouldn't say the renewable packaging is important to me as I am not a very 'green' person, however, I don't mind paying a little bit extra to do our environment a favour. Every little helps!

Q4. How important is it too you that products are kind to sensitive skin and/or allergy sufferers when making a purchase decision? Do you or anyone in your family have sensitive skin and/or allergies? If so, how did you find using the Ecover products?

I wouldn't say it is vitally important to me as I don't have overly sensitive skin, nevertheless, it is a very good selling point as most cleaning product does dry my skin out and I wouldn't mind paying a little bit extra for this feature. My husband has sensitive skin but it will be my lucky day if he 'cleans' the kitchen. I like the multi action spray as I tend to use this type of product most when cleaning the work surfaces around the kitchen and knowing that I don't have to wash my hand extensively after using it, is definitely a bonus.

Q5. If you were in charge of Ecover what, if any, improvements would you make? How would you 'sell' them to consumers?

I would move the product 'up the shelves' as I noticed the Ecover products usually sit at the bottom shelves rather than 'eye-level' shelf. Possibly have demo counter in supermarket may be for a week to promote and demonstrate the 'strength' of Ecover products. Promotion would be very attractive as I usually 'stock up' my cleaning products when they are on offer (such as Fairies, Flash and cleaning wipes).

Q6. Do you think you would buy the products in the future? If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend them to a friend? Why? If not, why?

I definitely would consider buying the cleaning products. Still not too sure about the washing up liquid as I have to use more to achieve the same cleaning power as Fairies. If it came up in conversation, I would recommend the multi-action spray and cleaner to a friend as I am impressed with the outcome and also it doesn't dry my skin out. May be not the washing up liquid as it doesn't work as well as the Fairies.

Q7 And having tried them, what are your overall thoughts and feelings about the products now? Has it changed your perception of the brand? If so, how?

Ecover has definitely change my perception of the products. And many thanks for sending me the samples and trial products as I wouldn't have bought them myself (as they are not usually on offer). I like the 'feel' of the product and also knowing I am doing a little bit for the environment. I will definitely buy the cleaning products again and thank you for choosing me for your trials

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/02/2012 20:27

I've just got around to putting away some washing that I did at the beginning of the week and am pleasantly surprised at how the scent has lasted.

SamsGoldilocks · 04/02/2012 18:12

Q1. What were your thoughts and feelings about Ecover products prior to trying them? Had you used any before? What was your overall impression of the Ecover products you tried?

I have tried them before and whilst i quite liked using them in the bathroom and the kitchen i wasnt overally impressed with the laundry liquid which never seemed to cut through the grease. I gave up on them about 2 1/2 years ago when i moved into my current house as it was filthy and their products just didn't cut through the grime.

Q2. Thinking about the pack you tried for MN, what did you think of the overall results of the products? Was it what you expected? Did the product 'do the job'? Do you like the smell or the feel of the product?

I was testing the bathroom pack - i liked the mult-isurface cleaner/spray and the descaler. Both worked well imo but i've tried the cream cleaner in both the bathroom and kitchen and remain unconvinced - i just don't see the point of it as a product and it's harder to clean off than other types of cleaning product.

Q3. What did you think of the product?s packaging? Did you read anything surprising on the packaging? Are the GHI/sensitive skin logos important to you? The plastic is made from renewable sugar cane, was this made clear on the pack? Is this important to you?

I found some of the print quite hard to read especially when you used yellow inks. They're ok - they don't say effective cleaner to me but they do say 'green approach'. I didn't think it was very obvious that the packaging was made from sugar cane. i do like the fact it's from plant products and not using oil based plastics. How does this break down in terms of how long it tkes to compost/ be recycled. It doesn't seem very clear to me.

Q4. How important is it too you that products are kind to sensitive skin and/or allergy sufferers when making a purchase decision? Do you or anyone in your family have sensitive skin and/or allergies? If so, how did you find using the Ecover products?

This is important to me.I have quite sensitive skin and a son who has excema. The products have dried out my skin as much as more 'chemical' based ones. They don't appear to have had a negative impact on my son though so that pleases me. If the washing powder worked then i would buy it.

Q5. If you were in charge of Ecover what, if any, improvements would you make? How would you 'sell' them to consumers?

You still need to make products that clean as well as other less green products. I thought that in a Which survery it had said it was impossible to prove your 'green' credentials so i think you need to look at ways of verifying that these products are actually better for us and for our planet.eg. washing up liquid versus say Fairy , which does last a long time and do the job with little product consumption.

Q6. Do you think you would buy the products in the future? If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend them to a friend? Why? If not, why?

Some - definitely not all. I like the loo cleaner and the limescale descaler but i wouldn't recommend the washing up powder as it just doesn't get out stains like coffee, tomato, carrot, blood.

Q7 And having tried them, what are your overall thoughts and feelings about the products now? Has it changed your perception of the brand? If so, how?

I think i would use some of them but not all as already detailed in the feedback.

JoInScotland · 04/02/2012 20:33

Bathroom pack

Q1. What were your thoughts and feelings about Ecover products prior to trying them? Had you used any before? What was your overall impression of the Ecover products you tried?

I had tried the washing up liquid and washing powder before this trial run, but now have a partner with extremely bad eczema, and he doesn't like me to buy Ecover washing powder anymore. So I just forget to look into the rest of the range to be honest. I liked the bathroom cleaner a lot - it rinsed off well even with cold water. The limescale remover got stubborn stains from around the plughole, even though we don't have much limescale in this part of Scotland.

Q2. Thinking about the pack you tried for MN, what did you think of the overall results of the products? Was it what you expected? Did the product 'do the job'? Do you like the smell or the feel of the product?

I liked the way they cleaned with one coating of the product, unlike others which you have to spray on, clean and then sometimes spray on again for it to get really clean.

Q3. What did you think of the product?s packaging? Did you read anything surprising on the packaging? Are the GHI/sensitive skin logos important to you? The plastic is made from renewable sugar cane, was this made clear on the pack? Is this important to you?

I would have liked a little cover for the spray nozzle, or have one which you could turn to "off" to be honest. I have a very inquisitive toddler and I like the bottles with covers, twisty off/on bits to be honest. I didn't notice it was made from renewable sugar cane, but that's good to know! It is important to our family, yes.

Q4. How important is it too you that products are kind to sensitive skin and/or allergy sufferers when making a purchase decision? Do you or anyone in your family have sensitive skin and/or allergies? If so, how did you find using the Ecover products?

It is very important to us, since we both have eczema and are keen that our son will not develop it. We found the bathroom products did not irritate our skin, so good job!

Q5. If you were in charge of Ecover what, if any, improvements would you make? How would you 'sell' them to consumers?

I think the "greenness" of the brand is the foremost consideration, along with the fact that they are good for people with skin problems. I think I would emphasize how the products clean with little residue and get the job done first time. I would change the packaging to make them more "child-proof" without becoming annoying for adults, particularly those with a disability which makes it difficult to turn or push things.

Q6. Do you think you would buy the products in the future? If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend them to a friend? Why? If not, why?

I think I would be more likely to buy it now, because since my partner banned me buying Ecover washing powder, I never looked into the other products available, and didn't know that they produced a bathroom cleanser, for example. I would recommend it to a friend, yes.

Q7 And having tried them, what are your overall thoughts and feelings about the products now? Has it changed your perception of the brand? If so, how?

I have changed my opinion, because I didn't realise what a wide range of products the company produces. I might not buy all of them, but would buy some of them, yes.

OhyouBadBadkitten · 04/02/2012 21:36

I discovered that the washing liquid gets a really odd consistency below zero

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 05/02/2012 15:03

Laundry Pack

Q1. What were your thoughts and feelings about Ecover products prior to trying them? Had you used any before? What was your overall impression of the Ecover products you tried?

*I tried them years ago, but didn't find them very effective. At the time (where I was living) you had to get them from a specific supplier as well, which was a bit of a faff'

Q2. Thinking about the pack you tried for MN, what did you think of the overall results of the products? Was it what you expected? Did the product 'do the job'? Do you like the smell or the feel of the product?

I had a trial size of the washing up liquid. I didn't mind the lack of bubbles - in fact due to the fact that the sink is slow to drain, lack of bubbles is a good thing, but was disappointed that it didn't do as good a job as my regular liquid. I wouldn't buy it.

The fabric conditioner really made the clothes feel soft & lovely. I always use a fabric conditioner but really noticed the difference when hanging the clothes on the airer, so it must have been significant as I wasn't 'looking' for it.

The laundry liquid did an OK job but it was a bit of a faff having to use the stain remover on things that my usual product would have got out in the normal wash. However, I don't usually use a non bio product.

I haven't used the small bottle of softner yet (not actually sure why you have the fabric conditioner and a softner)

Q3. What did you think of the product?s packaging? Did you read anything surprising on the packaging? Are the GHI/sensitive skin logos important to you? The plastic is made from renewable sugar cane, was this made clear on the pack? Is this important to you?

Unfortunately my delivery took a while to get to me (I had to get it delivered to work as it required a signature and I wasn't back at work for a few days) then I was away for a few days, so I haven't actually had long to trial the product & haven't had the time to really look at the bottle, though I would have done when I finished the product. I think it's great it's made from sugar cane - though it's a bonus rather then a huge consideration when buying the product.

Also, unfortunately, it is giving me 'chemical headaches. I am very sensitive to certain oils/fragrances and as soon as a container is opened with them in I get a bad headache. I do like the fragrances & products though, so I will try each of them, one at a time, alongside my regular products and see if I can still use some, if not all, of the products. Unfortunately this will take time & Katie has told me they are closing this thread tomorrow. I will probably also do this when the weather is a bit better and the washing can got outside, it hasn't been great being in the house with the laundry drying. Looking at the list of ingredients it's probably the citronellol.*

Q4. How important is it too you that products are kind to sensitive skin and/or allergy sufferers when making a purchase decision? Do you or anyone in your family have sensitive skin and/or allergies? If so, how did you find using the Ecover products?

See above - skin not an issue, but oils/fragrances are

Q5. If you were in charge of Ecover what, if any, improvements would you make? How would you 'sell' them to consumers?

Make them more mainstream and less 'worthy' in the advertising. Very lentil weavery appeal to date

Q6. Do you think you would buy the products in the future? If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend them to a friend? Why? If not, why?

Having read some of this thread I'd be keen to try some of the other products, however, due to the headache issues I'm not sure I will unless they would like to send me other samples to try or make sample sizes available. I don't want to waste money on a product I might not be able to use when I have products that do the job that don't give me headaches.

Q7 And having tried them, what are your overall thoughts and feelings about the products now? Has it changed your perception of the brand? If so, how?

It still feels like 'a work in progress' - the products are improving, but still not as good as other products, but are more environmentally friendly ... and as long as that gap is closing it's a good thing

MNHQ

AnnMumsnet · 09/02/2012 11:30

Thanks everyone for the feedback, Ecover are very impressed with how many of you responded and grateful for all the detailed comments and ideas.

kreecherlivesupstairs is the lucky winner of the £250 JL voucher...enjoy!

OP posts:

LovesBeingWearingSkinnyJeans · 17/02/2012 10:56

Btw if any of you are interested these are on offer in waitrose ATM