Big Green Smile’s Marketing Manager is on a mission to make more planet-friendly choices at home. Laundry seemed like a sensible place to start. Here, she tells us why she’s made the change to eco-friendly laundry detergent and what effect it’s had.
Before I started working for Big Green Smile, I didn’t really think about the impact my laundry might have on the environment. I just picked detergent and softener up on my weekly supermarket shop, choosing whatever products were on offer that day.
I’ve since learned that big brand laundry products are often made with fossil fuels, and are chock full of strong chemicals. These chemicals can be toxic to aquatic life and often end up polluting rivers and streams.
As well as wanting to do my bit for the planet, I was also worried about the effect those chemicals might have on my family. I didn’t want to risk irritating my children’s sensitive skin.
So, I swapped to more natural, environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
Eco-friendly laundry detergent
I’m currently using Ecover’s Concentrated Non-Bio Detergent. It’s made with plant-based active ingredients, which are vegan-friendly and fully biodegradable. I can honestly say that I haven’t noticed a difference in cleaning power compared to the brands that I previously used.
I buy the 5-litre size, because it saves me £11.45 compared to buying the same amount in 1.5 litre bottles. It also means I’m using 34% less plastic.
As an added bonus, it gets delivered to my home and I never have to worry about running out. One bottle has enough detergent for up to 142 washes. No more last-minute dashes to the supermarket for me!
Eco-friendly fabric conditioner
I still want my clothes to feel soft and smell good, so I buy a five-litre bottle of Ecover’s Fabric Softener too, which also saves on money and plastic waste. It’s one of Big Green Smile’s most popular products, with the vast majority of reviewers awarding it the full five stars. The smell is more subtle than my old fabric conditioner, but I actually prefer it.
Using refills
I decant my eco-friendly laundry liquid and fabric softener into smaller bottles to make things easier. However, lots of refill ranges now come with a built-in dispenser, including Attitude’s Bulk To Go range, which I’m keen to try out.
Natural stain removers
I’ve tried most of the stain removers we sell at Big Green Smile. I’ve found them really effective, and can particularly recommend the ones from Ecozone, Attitude and Ecover.
As with the detergent, I like the fact that they don’t contain harsh chemicals. I was a bit worried that my switch to environmentally friendly laundry detergent would mean my kids’ white school shirts would end up looking dingy. Thankfully, Bio-D’s Laundry Bleach is fantastic for soaking whites to brighten them up. And, unlike most bleach, it’s gentle on sensitive skin.
Eco-friendly tumble drying
I try to avoid using the tumble dryer as much as possible, but if I have to, I always use Ecoegg’s Dryer Egg. It helps my clothes to dry much quicker, which saves on energy and money. I’ve also noticed that clothes feel much softer, and they smell lovely, even when I don’t use fabric conditioner. Ecoegg has just brought out a new Spongebob Dryer Egg, but as the original one should last for years and refills are available, I won’t be getting it, much to my children’s disappointment!
Reducing plastic waste
The UK laundry sector is responsible for a staggering 11,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year. Buying in bulk saves a lot of plastic, and the Ecover 5 litre bottles are made from 100% recycled (and recyclable) plastic. I really like being able to see how much plastic I’m saving by checking the Big Green Smile website.
I’m also planning to try laundry strips, which are hypoallergenic and don’t have any plastic packaging at all. Tru Earth’s Laundry Eco-Strips are Big Green Smile bestsellers and we’re also getting really positive feedback about OceanSaver’s Laundry Detergent EcoSheets.
I think some people worry that laundry strips won’t dissolve properly, but they really do, even on low temperatures. They’re also a great option for people who don’t have a lot of storage space, as they take up very little room.
Over to you…
Have you switched to eco-friendly laundry products? I’d love to know how you’re getting on. You can send me an email at [email protected] or leave a product review.
And if you’re looking for the best eco-friendly detergent in the UK, you’ll find it at Big Green Smile. You can even filter your search by brand, country of production and other terms, such as vegan and sensitive skin.