Natural type laundry detergents i.e. Earth Choice etc.

[twinniefan]

At the moment we have started using Earth Choice brand laundry liquid, it is one of these which is made of plant based cleaning agents and claims to be more environmentally cleaner than standard type detergents.
Bough it just to try as in Choice magazine;s last tests on laundry detergents it actually scored 59%, which is at least equal to or slightly better than Fab, Surf etc but of course no where as good as Omo or Cold Power.
I was a bit startled actually to find it does work pretty well on most stains, i.e. oil based,fruit/vegetable based,sweaty type stains and if nothing else it does not have an overpowering scent like the above mentioned Fab, Surf, it is kind of a very light citrus fragrance which does not linger.
Has anyone else tried this or have our friends from other parts of the world have similar type products they may have used with or without success?
According to the bottle it has also won a Canstar 5 star award as having the most satisfied customers for a laundry liquid.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[washer111]

My Experience

About a year ago, I purchased the larger box of "Planet Ark Aware: Sensitive" laundry detergent, and used it on my loads of washing, which are typically split into Lights/Brights, Darks, Underwear/Socks.

I found, particularly with the lights and underwear/socks where the most stains often accumulate, that this laundry detergent was more or less completely useless against seemingly "harmless" stains on my clothing, even when pre-washed in cool-warm hot, then given a nice, hot wash.
Particularly with my white shirts, over a period of about 4-5 months, I noticed that Deodorant stains became an issue (It also doesn't help I iron the shirts).

The other complaint I had about that detergent was the strange, chalky type of residue it left on clothing.
But I do have to praise the practically non-existent suds, which seem to be an issue with some of the cheaper brands of powders.

Switching back to regular powders and liquids (Omo Sensitive and Radiant Black Wash), the staining on the shirts has come away again (Bleach itself didn't remove it) and stuff looks "better." I can't comprehend the reviews on "ProductReview," where productive housewives claim they can wash fouled baby nappies with a teaspoon of that detergent in cold water, and get better results than Hot water and a helpful dosage of Omo or equivalent.

So, at least at the beginning, these products seem attractive, but as you get through them a little more, you'll begin to notice some of the "Unwanted Side-Effects," as it were. You'll be doing more pre-treating and soaking - So it'll be like washing clothes the old fashioned way... Which I'm sure is not something you'll really want to do!

 

[twinniefan]

Thanks

Thanks Washer 111
I will be sure to cross Planet Ark Aware off my list, yeah I will probably gravitate back to standard detergents eventually when I tire of this one, the trouble with me is I am a bit of a detergent whore!! no brand loyalty from me I'm afraid, like to experiment a bit, but for now this Earth Choice Ultra Concentrate will do.
Cheers.
P.S. My now late mother would be horrified at me, she was a Rinso girl through and through, I don't think she ever got over it being taken off the market.

 

[gizmo]

I also reckon planet ark sensitive powder is pretty useless. Ecostore from NZ (sold here in AU at Woolies) is pretty good, I used it for years on my work clothes (greasy cook's aprons) and it worked well but tended to fade my black clothes.

I now use Abode powder. It is made in Melbourne and is a very small scale operation, so I'd guess it isn't widely distributed. I find it about as good as you can expect from a sensitive skin / enviro friendly product. It rinses out very well, no residue. It is way better than any other sensitive skin & enviro product I've tried.
The lavender and mint fragrance is about right - only a feint whiff is detectable in the washed clothes. I hate detergents with an overpowering stink. (that's most of them...)

I also have some Aldi Trimat Sensitive at present. It does a good job and I don't itch if I use about 1/3 the recommended dose (which makes it very cheap...).
At full recommended dose the final rinse (of 4) looks like wash water and still foams up during final spin.

I am totally biased against liquid laundry detergents. I won't even try one. So I haven't tried the Earths Choice. Though I do use their dish detergent and it's good.

http://www.buildingbiology.com.au/index.php/Laundry-Powder/Abode-Lavender-Mint-Laundry-Powder-1kg/flypage.tpl.html

 

[twinniefan]

Abode lavender and mint

Hi Chris,
That Abode looks interesting might order some online and give it a try in the future.
I know what you mean about overpowering scents in most powders/liquids, I think Fab and Surf are the worst offenders.I miss the old Spree brand, at least it came in normal type fragrances, Apple, Fresh Lines and Lavender.
Earth Choice also comes in a powder form should you ever be interested, haven't tried it myself though only the liquid so far.
I too use the Earth Choice dishwash liquid and agree it is pretty good, we have even been using Earth Choice multi purpose spray cleaner and it too is pretty good.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[mielerod69]

Ecover

I like Ecover as an environmentally friendly detergent. Washes well and is available in powder and liquid. Doesn't leave residue behind. The oxy bleach is pure sodium percarbonate with no fillers, great if you want to give a bit stain removal power!

Ecover Global - Home

au.ecover.com