Contents
Eco powder, unlike the usual one, does not harm the human body and does not harm the environment. Safe detergents are usually chosen by people with skin problems, allergies, and those who care about nature. The safety of washing powders when washing baby clothes is especially important.
Environmentally friendly detergents
Previously, consumers did not particularly think about the issue of environmental friendliness of household chemicals and washing powders in particular. Since the tool is sold, it means that it can be used – such logic has not been relevant for a long time. Today, many buyers are vigilant, carefully choosing laundry detergents – powders, conditioners, rinses.
How do Eco powders differ from ordinary ones?
Previously, all laundry detergents contained phosphates. Today, “chemistry” with phosphates – compounds that soften water – is banned in Europe. But our market is full of synthetic detergents (SMC) containing phosphates and their lighter version – phosphonates. Their use is unsafe for health and the environment. Eco line products have become an alternative to such products.
Products intended for washing and marked with the “Eco” icon are safe for health and nature. Composition features:
- hypoallergenic – do not contain components that can cause an allergic reaction;
- biodegradability;
- based on soap or surfactants of plant origin;
- no phosphates.
Phosphates provoke systemic diseases, including cancer, and also harm water systems, causing abnormal growth of algae.
How to choose?
When choosing an environmentally friendly product, pay attention to the composition. It’s good if there is a “children’s” label, but this is not enough – in our country, even powders for children may contain phosphates. What may be contained in eco: soap, enzymes, salt, soda, herbal ingredients. The liquid version is better than the powder one – the gel-like mass dissolves well and rinses out better. The less “chemistry” in the composition, the safer the remedy.
Overview of safe detergents and reviews
Eco powders are not cheap, but are most often used for washing children’s clothes. Baby powders can be successfully used to wash things belonging to allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin.
Ecological products are used in the same way as ordinary ones – powdered ones fall asleep, and liquid ones are poured into the appropriate tray, soapy ones are recommended to be added directly to the drum.
Ecover Color – for colored things
Universal concentrated powder for colored laundry. Suitable for cotton and synthetics. The Belgian brand offers a range of eco-friendly laundry and surface cleaning products. In the composition – 30% surfactants, enzymes. There are no fragrances or phosphates.
Advantages:
- pleasant aroma that does not leave a “loop” on things;
- retains color saturation;
- dissolves quickly;
- packaging – biodegradable;
- removes dirt well.
Disadvantages:
- does not cope with complex stains;
- effective only when washing fresh dirt.
The manufacturer also offers Non Bio Zero and Lavender Essential bulk concentrates, Zero, Gardenia and Vanilla conditioners, and much more. The average cost of a 1,2 kg concentrate package is 600–800 rubles.
Cotico Baby – Conditioner
Liquid concentrate-conditioner. Universal – can be rinsed with any fabric, including silk and wool. Will make things soft for children and adults. Has an antistatic effect. Biodegradable and hypoallergenic. Suitable for sensitive skin. The cost of a 1 liter bottle is 90–130 rubles. The manufacturer is B&B Family Company (Russia).
Pros:
- linen becomes soft, acquires a light and unobtrusive aroma;
- things are easily smoothed;
- pellets do not appear on clothes;
- static electricity is neutralized;
- clothes wrinkle less when worn;
- it is allowed to use for washing things of newborns.
Cons:
- some consumers do not like the smell;
- linen is not always soft enough – it seems that there is powder left on it, but after ironing this drawback disappears.
Ecoleiv – with soap crumbs
Biodegradable concentrate. A pack of 1250 g is sold for 340-400 rubles. Made on the basis of soap crumbs, it also contains oxygen bleach, aloe vera extract and soda ash. It is effective in the temperature range of 35–60 °С. Country of origin – Russia.
Advantages:
- economically consumed;
- removes various contaminants;
- makes clothes soft.
Disadvantages:
- things smell after washing;
- some rulers do not have a measuring spoon.
The manufacturer offers several versions of Ecoleiv – Universal, White, Color, Baby.
Synergetic – universal gel
Universal gel for any fabrics. All components are biodegradable, the product does not cause allergies. Contains 15% surfactants, 5% surfactants and silver ions. Especially effective at temperatures of 20–60 °C. A bottle of gel with a capacity of 1 liter costs about 200 rubles.
Advantages:
- economically consumed;
- no strong and obsessive aroma;
- many different forms of packaging;
- convenient container for use.
Disadvantages:
- powerless against severe pollution;
- does not give freshness to linen.
Organic People – organic with enzymes
Biodegradable gel for universal use. A 1,5 liter bottle costs 600-800 rubles. The Organic People brand is owned by a Russian company producing organic cosmetics.
Advantages:
- well washes light and fresh dirt;
- economical consumption.
Disadvantages:
- things acquire a persistent aroma of roses;
- high content of surfactants.
BioMio BIO-COLOR – with cotton extract
This concentrate powder is considered one of the best in the field of organic products. Suitable for all fabrics except wool and silk. No fragrance or phosphates. Contains 5% surfactants and enzymes. A pack of 1,5 kg costs 350-450 rubles. Country of origin – Russia.
Pros:
- effective in cold water;
- gives softness to fabrics;
- budgetary;
- preserves the intensity and saturation of the color.
Cons:
- does not cope with many stains – berry, fruit and others;
- packaging is unreliable;
- inconvenient measuring spoon – hidden inside the box.
Nordland Laundry powder ECO
Whitening powder. One of the best in the eco category. A pack of 1,8 kg costs about 800 rubles. Production – Spain.
Pros:
- No fragrances. Washed things smell not of “chemistry”, but of freshness.
- Ideal for allergy sufferers, does not cause any skin irritation.
- Can be used without conditioner – fabrics become soft anyway.
- The color is not lost, the dye is not washed out.
- A pack of 1,8 kg is enough for almost six months.
Cons:
- Not the safest compound.
- Expensive – more than twice as expensive as analogues.
- Does not remove stubborn stains.
- Not sold everywhere.
Garden Eco Kids – with silver ions
Another safe concentrate. Especially for children’s underwear – white and light. 400 g costs about 450 rubles.
Pros:
- does not smell;
- no optical brighteners;
- does not dry the linen, after washing it is soft and easy to iron;
- there is a sealed package;
- rinses out well.
Cons:
- uneconomical – quickly spent;
- overpriced;
- does not wash strong pollution;
- wash at temperatures above 60 degrees.
PURE WATER – environmentally friendly
Concentrated SMS. Free of phosphates and fragrances. But there is bleach. 1 kg can be bought for 400 rubles.
Good:
- perfectly washes dirt;
- easy to rinse;
- clothes become soft, this is especially noticeable on towels;
- no strong chemical smell;
- convenient packaging;
- copes with fresh fruit stains;
- refreshes things, they do not turn gray after washing.
The bad:
- have to be washed at a temperature of 40 degrees;
- grains may remain on the washed clothes – if washed in cold water.
Do-it-yourself powders – recipes
If safe washing SMS is so expensive and there is nothing unusual in their composition, why not make them yourself.
Main Components
What you need:
- Soap. The main “secret ingredient” is ordinary laundry soap. You can even find soap without animal fats – then your composition will also be “vegetarian”. You can take soap based on coconut or any other vegetable oil. But you can get by with the most ordinary laundry soap – dark and unpresentable.
- Soda. It is a weak alkali with a softening effect. It also cleanses and deodorizes. You can’t do without soda – only with it homemade powder will be effective.
- Storm. This is optional – you can use it, but you can do without. This is a natural mineral. This is a stronger alkali than soda. Borax is not so easy to buy in stores. In pharmacies, it is sold only as a glycerin solution.
- Soda ash. It can replace borax. It has a powerful cleansing effect, increases the effectiveness of other components, softens water.
- Lemon acid. Reduces the aggressiveness of the components.
- Vinegar. Helps remove stains.
- Aromatic oil. You can add essential oils for a conditioning effect. For 1-2 tbsp. l. a dozen drops of vinegar is enough. Clothes become not only soft, but also fragrant.
Soda ash should not be used when washing wool, silk and other delicate fabrics.
Recipe No. 1
Take:
- soap (better laundry) – 150 g;
- soda – 500 g;
- soda ash – 400 g;
- a little essential – a few drops (this is optional).
Dry the soap – so that it is easier to grind. For example, it can be dried on a battery. Take a fine grater and grate the dried soap. For a washing machine, only a substance grated on a fine grater is suitable. Mix the soap shavings with the rest of the ingredients. At the end, drop the oil, grind everything thoroughly and mix.
Recipe No. 2
This is not the most environmentally friendly, but quite effective mixture, it is used when complex contaminants need to be washed off. For her you will need:
- soda ash – 0,5 cups;
- water softener – 0,5 cups;
- borax – 1 glass;
- lavender oil – 3-4 drops.
In a deep bowl, mix the ingredients, drip the oil and mix everything thoroughly. Transfer to a plastic container. The emollient component can be bought in the household department of any supermarket.
Conclusions
Summing up:
- No eco-friendly product can contain phosphates. The remaining components vary – you should read carefully – what is written on the package in small letters. The more natural ingredients and less chemicals in it, the better.
- There are many products on the market from foreign and domestic manufacturers. But the latter, as a rule, emphasize that their products are made from environmentally friendly raw materials brought from Germany, Israel and other countries with high environmental safety standards.
- When using eco-friendly laundry detergents, do not forget that air conditioners must also comply with safety standards – their dyes and fragrances should not cause health problems.
- In many domestic products, the content of surfactants reaches 15%, which is at least strange for eco-products. In imported analogues, surfactants do not exceed 5%.
- You have to pay for security. Eco-friendly and organic products are expensive.
There are a huge number of laundry detergents on the market that are produced under the brand of environmental friendliness. The “ECO” designation is not a guarantee of safety. Choose reliable manufacturers and do not be lazy to read the composition, even if you have to use a magnifying glass to do this.