Eco powder, unlike usual, does not harm the human body and does not harm the environment. Safe detergents are usually chosen by people with skin problems, allergies, as well as those who are not indifferent to nature. Especially important is the safety of washing powders when washing baby clothes.
Environmentally friendly detergents
Previously, consumers did not particularly think about the environmental friendliness of household chemicals and washing powders in particular. Once a tool is sold, then it can be used - such logic has not been relevant for a long time. Today, many buyers are vigilant, carefully choosing detergents - powders, conditioners, rinses.
How do eco powders differ from ordinary ones?
Previously, all washing powders included phosphates. Today, "chemistry" with phosphates - compounds that soften water, is prohibited in Europe. But in our market is full of synthetic detergents (SMS) containing phosphates and their lighter version - phosphonates. Their use is unsafe for health and the environment. An alternative to such products was the means of the eco line.
Products intended for washing and marked with the “Eco” icon are safe for health and nature. Features of the composition:
- hypoallergenic - do not contain components that can cause an allergic reaction;
- biodegradability;
- based on soap or surface-active substances of plant origin;
- no phosphates.
Phosphates provoke systemic diseases, including cancer, and also harm aquatic systems, causing abnormal algae growth.
How to choose?
When choosing an environmentally friendly product, pay attention to the composition. It is good if there is a label for children, but this is not enough - in our country, even powders for children can contain phosphates. What can be contained in eco: soap, enzymes, salt, soda, plant components. The liquid version is better than the powder one - the gel-like mass dissolves well and rinses better. The less "chemistry" in the composition, the safer the tool.
Safe Detergent Review and Reviews
Eco powders are not cheap, and are most often used to wash baby clothes. Baby powders can be successfully used to wash things belonging to allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin.
Ecological agents are used in the same way as ordinary ones - powdered ones fall asleep, and liquid ones are poured into the appropriate tray, soap 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 series of eco-friendly products for washing and washing surfaces. In the composition - 30% APA, enzymes. Perfumes and no phosphates.
Benefits:
- pleasant aroma that does not leave a "loop" on things;
- maintains color saturation;
- quickly dissolves;
- packaging - biodegradable;
- well cleans dirt.
Disadvantages:
- does not cope with complex spots;
- effective only in washing off fresh dirt.
The manufacturer also offers bulk concentrates Non Bio Zero and Lavender Essential, air conditioners - Zero, Gardenia and Vanilla, and much more. The average cost of packaging a concentrate of 1.2 kg is 600–800 rubles.
Cotico Baby - Conditioner
Liquid concentrate conditioner. Universal - you can rinse any fabrics, including silk and wool. Will soften things for children and adults. It has an antistatic effect. Biodegradable and hypoallergenic. Suitable for sensitive skin. The cost of a 1 liter bottle is 90–130 rubles. Manufacturer - B&B Family Company (Russia).
Pros:
- the linen becomes soft, acquires a light and unobtrusive aroma;
- things are easily smoothed out;
- spools do not appear on clothing;
- static electricity is neutralized;
- clothes wrinkle less when worn;
- allowed to use to wash newborn items.
Minuses:
- some consumers do not like the smell;
- the linen is not always soft enough - it seems that there is powder left on it, but after ironing with an iron, this drawback disappears.
Ecoleiv - with soapy crumbs
Biodegradable concentrate. A pack of 1250 g is sold for 340-400 rubles. Made on the basis of soap chips, it also contains oxygen bleach, aloe vera extract and soda ash. Effective in the temperature range of 35-60 ° С. Country of origin - Russia.
Benefits:
- economically consumed;
- cleans various contaminants;
- makes clothes soft.
Disadvantages:
- after washing things smell;
- in some lines there is no measuring spoon.
The manufacturer offers several versions of Ecoleiv - Universal, White, Color, Baby.
Synergetic - universal gel
Universal gel for any tissue. All components are biodegradable, the product does not cause allergies. Contains 15% ACAS, 5% nonionic surfactants and silver ions. It is especially effective at a temperature of 20-60 ° C. A bottle of gel with a capacity of 1 liter costs about 200 rubles.
Benefits:
- economically consumed;
- no strong and intrusive aroma;
- many different forms of packaging;
- convenient for use containers.
Disadvantages:
- powerless against severe pollution;
- does not give linen freshness.
Organic People - Organic with Enzymes
Biodegradable gel for universal use. A 1.5 liter bottle costs 600-800 rubles. Organic People brand belongs to the Russian company producing organic cosmetics.
Benefits:
- well washes light and fresh pollution;
- economical consumption.
Disadvantages:
- things acquire a steady rose aroma;
- high content of surfactants.
BioMio BIO-COLOR - with cotton extract
This concentrate powder is considered one of the best in the field of eco-production. Suitable for all fabrics except wool and silk. No perfumes and phosphates. Contains 5% AAS and enzymes. A pack of 1.5 kg costs 350-450 rubles. Country of origin - Russia.
Pros:
- effective in cool water;
- gives fabrics softness;
- budgetary;
- maintains intensity and color saturation.
Minuses:
- does not cope with many spots - berry, fruit and others;
- packaging is unreliable;
- uncomfortable measuring spoon - hidden inside the box.
Nordland Laundry powder ECO
Bleaching powder. One of the best in the eco category. A pack of 1.8 kg costs about 800 rubles. Production - Spain.
Pros:
- There are no fragrances. Washed things smell not of "chemistry", but of freshness.
- Ideal for allergy sufferers, does not cause any skin irritation.
- It can be used without air conditioning - fabrics become soft anyway.
- No color is lost, no dye is washed out.
- Packs of 1.8 kg are enough for almost six months.
Minuses:
- Not the safest composition.
- It is a little expensive - more than twice as much as its analogues.
- Does not wash difficult contamination.
- Not everywhere for sale.
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 clothes, after washing it is soft and easily smoothed;
- there is a sealed bag;
- rinsed well.
Minuses:
- uneconomical - quickly consumed;
- inflated cost;
- does not wash off strong pollution;
- wash at temperatures above 60 degrees.
PURE WATER - eco-friendly
Concentrated SMS. No phosphates or flavors. But there is bleach. 1 kg can be bought for 400 rubles.
Good:
- perfectly cleans dirt;
- easy to rinse;
- clothes become soft, this is especially noticeable on towels;
- no strong chemical smell;
- convenient packaging;
- copes with fresh fruit spots;
- refreshes things, they do not turn gray after washing.
The bad:
- it is necessary to wash at a temperature of 40 degrees;
- grains may remain on washed laundry if washed in cold water.
DIY Powders - Recipes
If safe washing SMS are so expensive and there is nothing unusual in their composition, why not cook them yourself.
Main components
What is needed:
- Soap. The main "secret ingredient" is ordinary household 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. This is a weak alkali with a softening effect. It also cleans and deodorizes. You can’t do without soda - only homemade powder will be effective with it.
- Borax. This is optional - you can use, but you can do it. This is a natural mineral substance. This is an alkali of a stronger action than soda. Buru is not so easy to buy in stores. In pharmacies, it is sold only as a glycerin solution.
- Soda ash. It can replace the borax. It has a powerful cleansing effect, increases the effectiveness of other components, softens water.
- Lemon acid. Reduces component aggressiveness.
- Vinegar. Helps to remove stains.
- Aromatic oil. You can add essential oil - for a conditioning effect. On 1-2 tbsp. l vinegar is enough a dozen drops. Clothing becomes not only soft, but also fragrant.
Soda ash should not be used when washing wool, silk and other delicate fabrics.
Recipe number 1
Take:
- soap (better household) - 150 g;
- soda - 500 g;
- soda ash - 400 g;
- essential little - a few drops (this is optional).
Dry the soap to make it easier to grind. For example, it can be dried on a battery. Take a fine grater and rub dried soap. Only a grated substance is suitable for a washing machine. Mix soap shavings with the rest of the ingredients. At the end, add oil, grind everything thoroughly and mix.
Recipe number 2
This is not the most environmentally friendly, but rather effective mixture, it is used when it is necessary to remove complex contaminants. For her you will need:
- soda ash - 0.5 cups;
- water softener - 0.5 cup;
- 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 economic department of any supermarket.
Conclusions
To summarize:
- No environmental product can contain phosphates. The remaining components vary - should be read carefully - what is written on the packaging in small letters. The more natural components in it and the less chemistry, 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.
- Using eco-powders for washing, do not forget that air conditioners must also comply with safety standards - their dyes and perfumes should not cause health problems.
- In many domestic products, the surfactant content 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.
The market has a huge amount of detergents produced under the brand of environmental friendliness. The designation "ECO" 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 for this.