Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Eco cleaning/household products

23 replies

mrsmayitstimetogo · 11/09/2017 12:44

We used to just use green products, but a series of cleaners wanting mainstream stuff, and my own realisation that the less green products DID make cleaning quicker and easier, have meant we've opted more and more for standard stuff.

I'd like to go back to using much greener products, and ideally ones that we can buy in big flagons and decant (like the Ecover washing up liquid).

What do you recommend? I think we need:

  • cream cleaner (or similar, for the bath)
  • limescale remover
  • washing up liquid
  • laundry detergent (very very non-eczemous)
  • dishwasher tablets
  • toilet cleaner
  • some sort of kitchen surface/greasy stuff cleaner


Recommendations??
OP posts:
Report
PlausibleSuit · 11/09/2017 13:08

Ecover's glass cleaner, limescale spray and toilet cleaner are all good, and not terribly expensive. Better than the equivalent Method products in my view. I also like Ecozone's 3 in 1 toilet cleaner. I don't think any of these come in big sizes, mind.

Ecover do a cream cleaner but I haven't tried it - using up the Cif and Stardrops our old cleaner left behind!

For surface cleaner, I like Method - I like French Lavender but others seem to prefer Pink Grapefruit or Satsuma - or Clean-ology, which you can get in some Waitroses. I also tend to wipe with (washable) microfibre cloths and water, which ekes the cleaner out a bit longer. The bottles are big, too - almost a litre. I find a bottle of Method lasts me six months.

With dishwasher tabs, I've tried and tried but none of the eco ones seem to work. I stick with Fairy or Finish, and drink through the guilt. Gin

Method washing up liquid is OK, not as aggressive as Fairy but it does the job and smells nice. Comes in big 1l refills if that's your thing. I never got on with Ecover wul.

Laundry I can't help with, unfortunately. I use Halo Sports Wash (I'm a personal trainer so get through a lottttttt of sportswear...) and Method that comes in the big 1.5l bottles. Both good (although Halo isn't eco) but I wouldn't want to make any claims or recommendations regarding eczema as I'm not a sufferer.

I can also highly recommend Ecozone's dishwasher and washing machine cleaning tablets. They're basically just citric acid, and very effective. They do something similar in powder form that gets the crust and limescale out of kettles, too.

Oh, I also have Method wood floor cleaner - it lasts for ages, my bottle's been going for almost two years - and wood furniture polish.

Report
cakesandphotos · 11/09/2017 16:27

Seventh generation stuff is supposed to be good. Only used the washing up liquid so far but no complaints. I think they do a laundry detergent too. At work we use Ecover dishwasher tabs and I'm not convinced they're amazing but the dishwasher needs replacing so I could be that rather than the tablets. If you don't have a tiny budget, look into Enjo stuff. They do both laundry and dishwasher liquid in large bottles and you use a really small amount each time

Report
mrsmayitstimetogo · 12/09/2017 15:07

thank you both! It's a bit bonkers that not more things come in big bottles: I don't want to buy a new spray bottle every month... Will look more carefully at Ecozone and Method, and 7th generation and Enjo (not heard of them before).

I'm sure that at least part of the answer must be to home-make some of this stuff...

OP posts:
Report
AlternativeTentacle · 12/09/2017 15:16

Splosh. Every time.

For limescale, I use vinegar, for dishwasher I use ecover but for everything else, splosh.
Have done for years.

This code will get you some money off the starter pack. A84889

Once you have that, you buy refills, usually 4 for £5 and each one refills the original packet/container. You add hot water, as they are in little gel capsules and once dissolved, fill with cold to top it up.

//www.splosh.com

Report
Samsara123 · 12/09/2017 15:36

Ecover All Purpose cleaner, I used this on my bathroom.

Report
Samsara123 · 12/09/2017 15:43

That Splosh looks good.

Report
mrsmayitstimetogo · 13/09/2017 21:56

That Splosh DOES look good! Now this is why I like mumsnet - I'd never heard of Splosh and it is JUST what I was looking for. Green not only in ingredients, but also in packaging. I'm going to try some! I hope it WORKS as well!! in my experience eco-stuff doesn't always...

OP posts:
Report
LoniceraJaponica · 13/09/2017 22:01

"laundry detergent (very very non-eczemous)"

Do not use laundry liquid. It doesn't kill the mould in your washer (which can cause eczema), makes your washer smelly and encourages bacteria to grow.

Report
EcoCleaner · 13/09/2017 22:15

I've been using Splosh for a long time now. Their cotton fresh laundry powder is excellent. Not only one of the best eco detergents I've used, it's one of the best detergents full stop. Out cleans Ariel and Persil. It's super concentrated and comes in a self dosing bottle. Don't be tempted to double dose, you only need a small amount.

I use the Splosh powder for whites, light colours, bedding and towels and the liquid for darks.

The Splosh kitchen spray is also very good. I wasn't impressed with the toilet cleaner or the washing up liquid. The loo cleaner was too watery and didn't cling to the bowl and the washing up liquid was ok but you have to use a lot of it so it doesn't last very long. I use Ecover loo cleaner and washing up liquid as both are easy to get in the supermarket.

Report
Modestine · 13/09/2017 22:18

I have to use washing liquid for dh's stuff, otherwise he itches manically, but I mainly use powder thanks to MN. I am actually allergic to mould.

Report
EcoCleaner · 13/09/2017 22:19

mrsmayitstimetogo (love that name!), check out biggreensmile.com. For over 2 years now, everything we use is an eco alternative. All the cleaning stuff, all our cosmetics and bathroom products. We get a lot from BGS, they often have multibuy offers on and it's free delivery if you spend over £50 so we often stock up when things are on offer.

The Bio-D cleaning range is really good too, with the exception of the laundry detergent. Wasn't impressed with that.

Report
LoniceraJaponica · 13/09/2017 22:24

Modestine I used to use liquid for DD and her eczema got worse and my washing machine became very smelly. I got some Ariel powder so I could do a wash and kill off the smell (which had been caused by bacteria and mould), and miraculously the eczema disappeared.

Usually it is the perfume that causes the problem, not the enzymes in bio powder.

Report
Stellato · 13/09/2017 22:28

We use Sonett products. They all come in bulk too.

I can't use any bio powder, perfumed or not. It makes me itch. I just add tea tree oil and washing soda to the wash and the machine is fine and not mouldy. I'd know if it was mouldy as I'm VERY allergic to mould.

Report
EcoCleaner · 13/09/2017 22:28

Poor rinsing also causes irritation. I get dermatitis and if I use quick wash on the washer, which skips a rinse, it sets it off.
I use extra rinse quite a lot and ditched fabric softener completely

Report
Veronicat · 14/09/2017 08:53

I love Splosh.
I have a septic tank so it's perfect for me.

Report
specialsubject · 14/09/2017 21:12

Cream cleaner does toilet,bath and kitchen - have separate bottles.

Eco and perfumed are contradictory. Dont fall for greenwash.

Report
Slaymill · 16/09/2017 16:41

I love an eco cleaning product. I wondered if anyone has tried humblestuff.co.uk/products/ ?

I tried to use the code on Splosh AlternativeTentacle but it didn't work for some reason.

Report
Slaymill · 16/09/2017 16:45

Scrap that AT I got it to work thanks :)

Report
ExtraPineappleExtraHam · 16/09/2017 16:55

I love Bio D cleaning products

Report
Polter · 16/09/2017 19:05

Another vote for Splosh for laundry, the powder and softener are excellent. Their hand soap is very good too. I wasn't keen on the sprays and prefer Method.

Report
Almostthere15 · 17/09/2017 08:59

I like method, and combined with microfiber cloths washed at 60 degrees I get a good clean on the bathroom and kitchen and the cleaner likes them too. I'm not super keen on the grapefruit cleaner it gets in my throat a bit but the lavender is lovely. The bottles are huge and last forever.

Attitude eco limescale remover is very effective on the taps, but that's only really a hard water area problem.

We've used the method washing up liquid but the dispenser is terrible and I ended up using lots spraying it over the kitchen side in error. Ecover washing up liquid is just ok, everyone else in my house uses loads though as they equate bubbles with clean so I've given up because I think it cancels out.

They get mixed reviews but I've really liked the Ecover enzyme drain clearing sticks. Like a pp dishwasher tablets are so disappointing. They often didn't clean properly and left a residue. I am a big fan of the ecozone cleaning tablets though. I also run a vinegar hot wash every so often to clear out the machine and keep the towels soft which works well.

If anyone knows of a good eco toilet cleaner I'd love to know. Method smelled great but didn't do much

Report
WittgensteinsBunny · 20/09/2017 23:21

Bio-D washing powder. If you like it, you can buy it in bulk. Don't bother with softener or use vinegar instead.

Citric acid (Wilkos) or vinegar for limescale.

Vinegar / wul/ water solution for very dirty windows and mirrors. Glass polishing e-cloth for light cleaning.

I like method and 7th generation WUL

Ecozone dishwasher tabs

Ecover cream cleaner or astonish paste. Some sort of eco scourer and elbow grease probably just as good.

Ecover all purpose liquid for stone floors and bathrooms. I've also just bought a method all purpose spray for quick wipe arounds as we're selling our house and it's convenient and fresh smelling for viewings.

Method almond squirt and mop for wooden floors

Damp e-cloth for dusting and Bio-D furniture polish for wooden furniture.

Method or Waitrose eco toilet cleaner

I'd really like to try Dr Bronner's Sal Suds as a replacement WUP and APL. Will buy when out of ecover apl

Lots of microfibre / e-cloths for wiping down and mopping up with hot water. I've never managed to get to grips with bicarb but loads of people buy in bulk and use for everything!

Report
just5morepeas · 21/09/2017 03:44

Another method fan here - I love the lavender multi purpose spray but avoid the "Hummingbird Garden" (I think that's the name), it stinks!

Report

Newsletters you might like

Money Saver

Saving you time and money with Mumsnet exclusive deals and discounts. Find regular roundups of the hottest sales straight to your inbox.

Coin being put in piggy bank

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Swears By

All the products Mumsnetters are raving about, the best buys as recommended by real parents straight to your inbox.

Stack of toy blocks

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.