Bunny Friendly Dishes (Ecover Washing Up Liquid)

Member Name: thehonesttruth

Product:	Ecover Washing Up Liquid
Date:	26/10/07 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: -

Disadvantages: -

I used to use fairy to clean my dishes but last year I discovered that proctor and gamble test products on animals. Now, I wouldn't state I'm any kind of animal activist, or a warrior for fair trade...I don't go vigorously seeking products to boycott, and I don't do a great deal of investigation into the products I buy.

That said, if I learn a product I often use is animal tested, I would endeavour to discover a superior and kinder alternative. That's how I ended up using Ecover.
Ecover is the lone non-animal tested and environmentally friendly product I was able to locate on my supermarket shelves, and was suggested to me by a friend who's very exacting on which products she will allow in her house. They produce other cleaning products as well: cream cleaners; multi-surface cleaners; laundry products.

I went on the Internet to investigate them a little, and Ecover was established in 1979 and was the first company to manufacture ecological and animal friendly cleaning products on a large scale. They've also been added to the United Nations list of companies with exceptional environmental achievement, as well as many other awards, such as most innovative product and a corporate conscience award.
The product is straightforward enough to find in large supermarkets, and in Holland and Barratts, but you're unlikely to find it in your corner shop.

Made in 500ml and 1L sizes, and available in either Chamomile and Marigold or Lemon and Aloe Vera varieties (the lemon being vegan), the packaging is attractive .The bottle is almost opaque, although you can still see the liquid through it. The bottles are quite chunky, and the chamomile one I've been using has a pretty picture of the chamomile plant on it. There is an Ecover logo on the front, eco in blue and ver in green. It's simple but attractive, and compared to the bright gaudy packaging of other brands; it stands out as being both the pl ainest and the most attractive packaging. The packaging is made from recycled materials, and is recyclable itself,
The bottle and labels are made of polyethylene; and the cap of polypropylene. I've never seen a plastic recycling point near me, so mine unfortunately ends up in the bin anyway.
Ecover is a very environmentally sound product. The main ingredients in washing up liquids are surfactants, and they dissolve grease easily. While most companies use petrochemical surfactant, Ecover use plant based one's, which are much more biodegradable, and cause less pollution when being produced. It's also less harmful once it's released back into the rivers. The top brand washing-up liquid is 40 times more toxic to fish than the Ecover detergent.

The fragrances used in the products come form essential oils, and are not synthetic in any way.
With regard to animal testing Ecover do not test their products in animals. That in itself isn't too remarkable, but Ecover also refuse to buy or use ingredients that have been tested on animal in the last five years, which for a cleaning product is great.

While this all sounds good, the most important thing is whether or not it actually works. Well, yes, it does. Brilliantly in fact. One tiny squirt will be enough for a sink of dishes, and will clean them easily and efficiently without leaving any trace of grease. Tougher dishes may need an overnight soak. It has a lovely chamomile scent, soothing and relaxing me as I use it. It doesn't froth up as much as other brands, but it cleans just as well, and you don't need as much.
I have quite dry skin on my hands, and find that a lot of products irritate them when I'm washing up. But not Ecover. It doesn't affect my skin badly in any way, and I personally think it's actually softened my skin (must be the chamomile)

It's not very expensive either. It's actually cheaper than fairy. Fair y costs about £1.60 for a litre, and Ecover is about £1.30 for the same amount.
Would I recommend this? YES, BUY IT. Basically anyone wants their washing up liquid to do the job well, which this does, with the added bonus of being environmentally and ecologically sound, and not tested on animals. The fact that it costs less than fairy is just the icing on the cake!

They have a great website at www.ecover.com, which gives more detail about their company policy and their products, and is well worth a look.
Thanks for reading.

Summary: -