NOW CLOSED: Tesco’s Naturally Powered (antibacterial spray or non-bio washing powder) product testers review thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 1000 Mumsnetters who are trying out the Naturally Powered range of cleaning products by Tesco.

If you don't know about these products, here's what Tesco has to say:

"In the past, green cleaning products have been let down by their performance. Working closely with a team of chemists, scientists and environmental experts, we have created the Naturally Powered range of eco cleaning products - specially formulated to have a reduced impact on the environment than other leading products and with the cleaning performance you'd expect."

Mumsnetters have been testing either the antibacterial spray or the non-bio washing powder. In addition, all testers received a trial-sized sachet of washing up liquid.

If you are a tester, please state which product you were testing and answer the questions below - feel free to also add any other comments you may have.

Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw, where one person will win £200 of Tesco vouchers.

Questions:

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

Questions:

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

I did not have any opinion to star with

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

yes i liked the smell but didnt notice any difference in the feel of my clothes

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

I think the dark wash turned out fine ,but not so impressed with my white wash

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

Not important to me,it would not affect my decision to buy

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

No because i like my white washing to look clean.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

I loved the perfumed smell and the fact that i did not have to use so much powder but feel my original powder is better for white washing

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

I may suggest that they gave it a try,they may prefer it to their original powder

Annnnd... I didn't have the reported problem with residue in the drawer since we live in the back of beyond and when we moved I chose a washing machine for "special" people.... (uses whatever hot water is left in the tank after morning showers and the setting options let you choose between "hot", "warm" and "cold". I chuck a couple of scoops on top of the clothes, turn the other knob to 14 minutes for the fast scrubby cycle then stand well back).

I tested the washing powder.

I had never noticed theses products before, as others have said if i had I would have assumed they were jumping on the Eco bandwagon.

I was very pleasantly surprised, the smell of my washing both after washing and once the washing had dried was delightlful, really lovely. My daughter had a few accidents the day before and it brought up her whites beautifully. As good as my current washing gel may even go as far as to say it smells nicer.

I'll use a product that works well, it's green credential would be a bonus. I don't pick products just because they are green.

I would definitely buy it again as long as it was not vastly more expensive that my usual products. I may even be inclined to try other things in the range based on washing powder.

I don't think I would change anything about it.

If it came up in conversation I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

My DH stole my spray for his offices! I did tell him that I was supposed to be testing it and if he liked it so much, he should clean the house, just to make sure he could give true feedback, not just have a rough idea!

Questions:

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

I was completely unaware of them.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

I have the antibacterial spray and love it. Cleans and freshens, protects and is better for the environment, with no harsh chemicals added too, what's not to love? I also have a sachet of the washing up liquid. It couldn't get melted cheese in one hit but the smell is gorgeous, and the grease was gone from all plates and cutlery.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

It works just as well as my Aldi cleaner, leaves my worktops shiny and clean. Plus it's not as 'toxic' smelling as some of the spray cleaners on the market.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

I have used Ecover? 'Ecosomething' before but found their washing up liquids to be a bit less powerful when it comes to shifting baked on Lasagne etc.... I chose it because of it's 'green nature'. I'd rather do my bit so will be buying the spray again.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

We do use a lot of antibac sprays due to our DS being tube fed so yep, I'd be looking to by the product again.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

None really.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I see know reason why anyone wouldn't want to help save the planet.

I am reviewing the soap powder.

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?
I had bought the Naturally powered fabric softener before getting the chance to test the soap powder. The softener smells very fresh and made my clothes lovely and soft. It is more concentrated than other brands so the bottle is lasting me for once! After using one product from the range my opinion was high and I was delighted to be chosen to test another product.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?
I was surprised at how small the box was considering the amount of washes it gives. I then read the box and learned that it was concentrated so you need to use less. I liked the little cup too as I cant use too much soap powder as I have done before, and ended up getting 5 washes out of a 10 wash box of soap powder! I must say it smells lovely too, a clean scent thats not overpowering and synthetic smelling. I have done one wash on 30°c and the clothes came out clean. I did another wash with dirtier clothes that included my daughters white top full of orange food marks all over the front. It was a 40°c wash for 60 minutes and the top came out clean. I was surprised because a) the stain had dried on overnight and b) its a non biological powder which I assumed didnt work as well due to no enzymes. Overall I was impressed.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?
I use all different products as I tend to buy whats cheapest at the time. Before the Naturally powered was delivered I was using a biological powder. I would say the Naturally powered delivered the same performance but the Naturally powered has a better smell!

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?
I wouldnt go out of my way to buy eco products because they generally tend to be more expensive than usual products. I have tried eco products many times but its either because it was in offer or I wanted to try something new. I think this tesco powder has changed my opinion slightly on non bio laundry products as it gave an impressive performance on very dirty clothes!

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not? I will most deffinatly buy the softener again and will buy the powder once I have seen the price.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing? I would remove the plastic bag and put the powder loose in the box as it makes it more of a faff to get out. I was going to pour it in the box myself but I noticed 2 small holes at the bottom of the box so would have leaked through.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes I would recommend this to my sister as she has 2 children that get mucky and they both have eczema. She will probably comment on my clothes smelling so fresh as she has done before!!

Testing the spray - early days but:

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

I had no idea they existed.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

Spray seems to work well. Smell is inoffensive and no after smell (unlike the dettol stuff) which is a definite plus. It seems to clean granite without leaving a residue which is great, and even did a good job of getting cat sick out of carpet [bleugh]

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

Works just as well as normal supermarket brand antibacterial spray, which is what I usually use. I would dearly love to find one that smells of rosemary like the (long defunct) Harvey Nichols spray cleaner which I once had.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

It's a "nice to have" - so if all other things were equal, I would buy the greener option, but it wouldn't overcome other factors.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

Depends on price really (and whether I happen to be shopping in Tesco)

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

None - seemed fine to me

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

possibly. I am struggling to imagine that conversation though

Testing the Spray

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?
Never heard of them before and I shop at Tesco regularly

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?
Spray worked well, smells lovely

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?
Works just as well

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?
not especially important, it needs to work

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?
I may do if I remember

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?
none it worked fine

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?
possibly although I don't normally talk about cleaning to friends!

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them? I wasn't aware of them.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products? I have the spray to test and had a sachet of washing up liquid. I didn't like the washing-up liquid; it smelled too lemony and yet the bubbles/lather disappeared very quickly. Nowhere near as good as my usual liquid (Fairy). The spray is nice, I liked the smell and the fine mist. It's fine for routine cleaning but I'm not sure it would cope well with seriously greasy or scaled-up surfaces. The spray bottle leaks too easily, it leaks whilst spraying and leaks if you tip or squeeze it.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use? The washing up liquid wasn't as good as my usual (Fairy). The spray was comparable to my usual kitchen spray (Mr Muscle or Cif).

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not? I'm not overly bothered by how green products are (I know, I know, I should be). I just want a high performing product regardless of it's green credentials.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not? I might do but only if they improve the bottle and if the price is reasonable.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing? Improve the spray bottle. Improve the washing up liquid.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not? I might do, I might mention that the spray is reasonable so if it was well priced I might recommend it.

Thanks for letting me try them!

I tested the anti-bac spray

Q1. I didn't have an opinion before I used it - I hoped it would provide a less chemically but effective way of cleaning. I've never noticed the range before.

Q2. I used the spray and it seemed ok. The scent is very strong - not unpleasant but quite chemically so I wouldn't use it to clean a surface before I rolled pastry or dough on it. It seemed to work - it needed a bit of elbow grease to remove marks from the hob after cooking but cleaned the surfaces well (and DS's bedroom!)

Q3. I think anti-bac sprays are much of a muchness tbh - it did what my current one did but left a stronger smell.

Q4. Green credentials are important but so is price. I am not convinced that this range is all that 'natural'. I'd buy it if it were priced competitively but I wouldn't buy it over my usual products. What does 'naturally powered' mean anyway? Water is natural and presumably, most of the anti-bac spray is water... Is the packaging eco too?

Q5. I'd buy it if it were similar in price to my usual products or on special offer

Q6. Improvements - perhaps make the scent less strong.

Q7. I'd recommend it, based on what I've said here.

I'm testing the washing powder. I don't know the price so can't really answer some of the questions.

Q 1
I opened the box and thought it smelt very strong but fresh. Liked the little cup (but would rather have a reusable one; on 'clumsy' days I am likely to crush it).

Q2
Yes, it worked, clothes etc are all clean and smell nice (I use unfragranced powder and conditioner anyway).

Q3
Pretty much the same. Didn't notice that clothes needed anything further done to them and I'd included a very dirty towel.

Q4
Important, but it must be affordable and work.

Q5
Cannot tell right now. DH is very particular about washing powder ; we also have to careful with money.

Q6
Get rid of the plastic bag. It's a pain in the bottom.

Q7
If I remembered, but, happily, my friends and I tend to talk about more interesting things.

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them? no opinion at all

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products? seemed fine to use, clothes came just as clean as usual. The smell isn't the same as my usual product and my fussy DS complained

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use? no noticaeble difference, will keep trying with less and less powder until it stops working

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not? "green credentials" doesn't mean anything to me. Facts about HOW it helps the environment might

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not? probably not, I prefer liquid as it goes straight in the wash, not in the dispenser

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing? none

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not? wouldn't comment either way

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

Hadnt heard of them before.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

Anti Bac spray did exactly what i would expect. I Liked the lemon smell, very fresh and clean.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

Worked just as well.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

No it wouldnt make any difference due to our household budget. I always buy whats on offer.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

If its on the buy one get one free or some other offer then yes i would.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

Put them in far more attractive packaging. The clear colours are exceptionally boring and not eye catching. Febreze have got some fantastic colours which immediately catch your eye or mine anyway

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes i would, but for most people its always about price.

I tested the antibacterial spray.

Q1. I didn't know about the Naturally Powered range before this.

Q2. The product worked fine, no streaks after cleaning. I wasn't keen on the smell though, a bit 'chemically'.

Q3. I found it worked as well as any other product I have used.

Q4. I do buy more green products over other products, so this is important to me.

Q5. I will buy from this range if the price is right.

Q6. Maybe make the smell less powerful.

Q7. I would mention I use it, and if at a good price I would recommend it as it did a good job.

Q1. I had never heard of them previously.

Q2. The washing powder worked very well. Washing (including 1 year old's clothes) came out fresh and thoroughly clean. I loved the smell - I like my clean washing to smell of something and this is a very fresh fragrance.

The only negative - and it does matter I think - is that the powder doesn't dissolve properly in the drawer and is left in a big lump at the end. This doesn't happen with Persil so could be improved.

Q3. This worked just as well at cleaning as Persil but as already mentioned, doesn't dissolve as well.

Q4. It is important. We are trying to have more of a conscience about the products we buy but they need to be good and competitively priced.

Q5. I would buy this again if it was priced reasonably.

Q6. I just don't want powder left in the drawer. I'm labouring this point now I think .

Q7. Yes I would recommend this on the basis that it works, smells great and hopefully protects the environment a little more than most.

Thanks again for picking me!

I tested the antibacterial spray.

Questions:

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?
I'd never heard of them.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?
Yes, it works. A couple of stubborn stains needed two or three applications but that's pretty normal. The smell is lovely!

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?
I usually use Dettol wipes or steam clean - the spray works just as well as the wipes and slightly less well than steam cleaning.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?
I'm definitely more likely to buy a green product than one with bleach and other harsh chemicals, as I worry about the damage to the environment.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?
Yes, probably - if it's not prohibitively expensive.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?
Nothing.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes.

Thanks!

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them? I hadn't noticed them to be honest

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products? The powder seemed about the same as my normal non-bio powder. It didn't get the tougher stains out, I needed bio for that. It smelt nice.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use? Just as well as normal non-bio powder

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?
Unfortunately I have to base my purchase decisions on cost, but eco credentials are important to me, so if it was a comparable price I'd buy it.
Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not? Depends on price, I will check at my next shop

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing? Improved stain removal

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes I would as a non-bio powder

I tried the antibac spray

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

Hadn't noticed them at all.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

The product works well, and I like the smell. It's less obvious than the main branded version and smells much nicer than the other supermarket brand version that we use.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

Seems to work as well, and doesn't appear as watery.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

It would affect my decision to buy, but I am not clear just how green the Naturally Powered range is.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

Probably, yes, if the cost was right.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

I like the packaging and the label, but don't think it's entirely clear how 'green' the product is. I would make this more clear.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

One anti-bac spray is much the same as another, IMO, but this one does smell better than most, and the scent doesn't linger, so yes.

I tested the washing powder

. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?

I'd always been interested in using them but the brand leader, Ecover, was always far too expensive.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?

Overall, the powder performed well which is the main thing. The product did work. I have very happy with the performance of the powder. The smell was lovely. Not sure how you can have an opinion on the feel of washing powder!

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?

I normally use Fairy and it compared very well and was just as good.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?

I'm always on the lookout for products that are green and use alternatives to chemicals. However, these products are usually priced higher than the normal cleaners.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?

I would definitely buy it if it could compete pricewise with my normal powder.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?

I can't think of any. It washed the clothes very well.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would certainly recommend on performance.

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them? *No opinion. I was interested in trying them once I saw the mention on MN, but had not heard of them previously and didn't know what to expect.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products? I tested the spray and like it. It smells really nice and cleaned the kitchen surfaces as well as my usual brand.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use? The same

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes. I usually use Ecover and am interested generally in more natural products.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not? *Probably not but only because I don't tend to shop at Tesco for my 'big shop.'

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing? None. It was fine. The only 'problem' was that the spray leaked a bit in the post.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes, absolutely.

Oh and I really like the packaging - I HATE bright colours etc for cleaning products and just want them to look unobtrusive!

I'm using the anti- bac spray.
Had high hopes before using it, thought it would be the same as my usual spray, but its green credentials would mean I wouldn't feel so guilty about liberally spraying it around the kitchen every day.
Liked the smell a lot, and it seemed to work well, though I did use it to clean the fridge and I had to resort to Cillit Bang to remove some of the really grained in grime. To be fair, I don't think I'd expect any anti-bac spray to cope with my fridge!
Compared well with my usual product.
The green credentials would make me more likely to buy it as long as it airport as well as other non-green products as I do feel guilty about all the chemicals in cleaning products.
I would highlight itts greenness more and its ability to kill 99.9% of germs, including swine flu virus.
Yes, I'd recommend it to a friend.

I tried the anti bac spray.

Q1. What was your opinion of the Naturally Powered products before using them?
A. I'd never seen them before.

Q2. After using the products, what was your over all opinion? Did the products work? Were you happy with the performance? Did you like the smell and feel of the products?
A. The spray worked well but I didn't like the smell, I found it too artificial lemony. I was happy with how well it cleaned.

Q3. How did the products compare to your usual cleaning products? Did it work just as well, better or worse than the products you usually use?
A. It work just as well as my usual anti-bac spray.

Q4. How important are the green credentials of the Naturally Powered range to you? Would this affect your decision to buy? If so, why? If not, why not?
A. Green credentials aren't important compared to the ability to work well and clean, though they are an added bonus.

Q5. Will you continue to buy the Tesco Naturally Powered range? If so, why? If not why not?
A. I would buy it instead of my usual anti-bac spray if the price was favourable.

Q6. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Naturally Powered products you were testing?
A. I would change the scent as it was too artificial for me.

Q7. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the products to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?
A. Yes because it works well as a cleaner and if the price was favourable I'd recommend it even more!

Got parcel to collect tomorrow! Then I'll update!