The best organic and ecological detergents in the UK 2023

The store shelves offer a wide choice of laundry products. Between the various manufacturers, perfumes and formulas, there is a wide choice. In recent years, organic and ecological detergents have become more and more popular with consumers. If you also want to adopt these environmentally friendly solutions, our guide will please you.

Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 1
9/10

Best value for money

Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT

The best ecological organic detergent in 2021

If you are looking for a certified organic ecological detergent approved by competent organizations, this solution proposed by l'arbre vert meets your criteria perfectly.

10,56 £ on Amazon

This detergent signed l'Arbre vert will allow you to obtain a soft, impeccable laundry with a subtle and pleasant perfume. Its composition including vegetable soap allows an ideal washing for textiles of all colors, including white. No dyes, brighteners, phthalates or other potentially allergenic substances have been incorporated into this formula, making it a 100% non-toxic solution for the user and the environment. Note that this is a French laundry detergent, manufactured near Poitiers.

Approved by the allergists of the Association de Recherche Clinique en Allergologie et Asthmologie (ARCAA) and certified European Ecolabel, this detergent guarantees a lower impact on the environment as well as an exceptional performance. This detergent canister has a capacity of 3 L, which is more than enough for 66 washes. It is effective from 30°C and is suitable for the whole family, including babies and people with hyper-sensitive skin.

Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 2
7/10

Best value for money

Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT

The best entry-level ecological detergent

L'Arbre Vert is a reference in organic and ecological detergents. With this product, the French brand offers a cheap alternative so that everyone can enjoy it.

4,38 £ on Amazon

If you want to wash your clothes with a revolutionary solution, opt for the organic ecological detergent from Arbre Vert. Offering solutions that respect ecological standards while ensuring performance, the manufacturer has developed this plant soap formula designed for both white and colored textiles. At the end of each wash, you will obtain impeccable laundry with an exquisite fragrance. This detergent has been tested and approved by the competent bodies. It is guaranteed to be allergen-free and environmentally friendly.

Certified dye-free, optical brightener-free and phosphonate-free, this product is effective at low temperatures (30°C) and high temperatures (40°C). If you are allergic to dust mites, consider doing your laundry at 60°C. Note also that the caps and the canister are 100% recyclable, which gives a better ecological value to this 100% French detergent. Finally, the canister contains 1.5 ml of detergent, which is more than enough for at least 33 washes.

Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL 3
9/10

Best value for money

Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL

The best high-end ecological detergent

With this can of organic ecological detergent, you will have enough products to do your laundry for a very long time. Moreover, it is a dermatologically tested formula and guaranteed without allergens.

19,19 £ on Amazon

With this organic ecological detergent with Marseille soap designed by Persil, offer a complete care to your laundry at each washing. In addition to guaranteeing clean and fresh textiles, you will appreciate the delicately spicy fragrance that emanates from it. This solution contains sweet almond and 100% organic vanilla extracts. One of the strong points of this type of product is its effectiveness from 20°C, which allows you to use it even for cold washing.

This detergent has passed all the necessary tests to ensure that it is suitable for the whole family. You should know that the canister contains 5.7 ml of liquid, which will be more than enough for at least 114 washes.

Eco-Pack Liquid detergent 4
7/10

Best value for money

Eco-Pack Liquid detergent

Alternative cheap

Maison Verte has built a solid reputation in the field of organic ecological laundry. With this product, the brand guarantees clean laundry with a subtle smell of sunshine and relaxation.

4,44 £ on Amazon

Do your laundry with a plant-based product to ensure impeccable laundry, whether it is white or colored textiles. Maison Verte has always worked to offer a good compromise between ecological efficiency and pleasure. The formula of this product has been tested under dermatological control to avoid any risk of allergic reaction. Enjoy this concentrate of freshness with sweet scents of essential oils reminiscent of summer vacations.

This product has been certified by the European Ecolabel which rewards the most environmentally friendly products. Note that its packaging contains 60% less plastic than standard containers.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best organic ecological detergent

Any specific needs?

The best ecological organic detergent in 2021

The best entry-level ecological detergent

The best high-end ecological detergent

Alternative cheap

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best organic and ecological detergents

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 5
9/10
Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 6
7/10
Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL 7
9/10
Eco-Pack Liquid detergent 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT
Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT
Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL
Eco-Pack Liquid detergent
If you are looking for a certified organic ecological detergent approved by competent organizations, this solution proposed by l'arbre vert meets your criteria perfectly.
L'Arbre Vert is a reference in organic and ecological detergents. With this product, the French brand offers a cheap alternative so that everyone can enjoy it.
With this can of organic ecological detergent, you will have enough products to do your laundry for a very long time. Moreover, it is a dermatologically tested formula and guaranteed without allergens.
Maison Verte has built a solid reputation in the field of organic ecological laundry. With this product, the brand guarantees clean laundry with a subtle smell of sunshine and relaxation.
Volume
3 L
1.5 L
5.7 L
1.8 L
Weight
3.22 kg
1.58 kg
5.8 Kg
0.15 kg
Size
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Number of washes
66
33
114
30
Scent
Green
Green
Spicy
Essential oils

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Buying guide - organic ecological detergent

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How to choose your organic ecological detergent

In stores or on the internet, there is an abundant offer of ecological detergents provided by different brands. If you want to buy a detergent that is environmentally and health friendly, here are the different criteria for choosing one:

#1 - Choose a labeled detergent

Labels make it easier for you to make your choice, whether in supermarkets, organic stores or on the Internet. To display the eco-label, the detergent must meet specifications. These specify a set of rules to ensure that the product is not harmful to health and/or the environment. These requirements are different from one label to another, for this reason, they do not all offer the same guarantee. The majority are subject to strict controls by independent agencies.

#2 - Avoiding suspected ingredients

The

composition of ecological detergents may contain up to 25 different ingredients, significantly impacting the environment. It should be noted that the composition is among the most essential factors, immediately after the leavening temperature

and the dosage of the product.

According to statistics, Europeans do 98 million washes every day. So, if each wash releases even one ingredient that is harmful to the environment, you can easily imagine the consequences on the quality of water.
The ideal is to use natural ingredients, easily biodegradable, from plants and with a reduced impact on the environment and health.
In practice, you avoid these ingredients:
- Optical brighteners with low biodegradability;
- Butylphenyl methylpropional, a perfuming substance, not only allergenic, but also considered toxic and an endocrine disruptor;
- EDTA

, which is not so biodegradable and acts as an endocrine regulator in the natural environment;

- Isothiazolinones such as benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone.... which are highly allergenic preservatives;
- NTA

, a product that can cause cancer;

- paradichlorbenzene, a toxic substance with the power to dissolve other substances (solvent);
- Perfumes are in general allergenic and are not effective for laundry. It is especially forbidden to use them for children and sensitive people. Click here to discover the list of 27 contact allergens on the SPF website;

- Halogenated phenols considered toxic solvents;
- Phenoxyethanol, an allergenic substance
- Phosphonates and polycarboxylates, products that are not very biodegradable;
In general, users of eco-friendly organic laundry detergents should also avoid products that display several schematic figurative drawings, used as hazard symbols

.

#3 - Opt for a concentrated product

Most commercial laundry detergents are composed of concentrated formulas. Whether in powder or liquid form, concentrated products are beneficial to the environment given their reduced packaging, plus they require fewer chemicals with each wash.
Today, brands and manufacturers are looking to make ultra-concentrated formulas, continually reducing packaging and dosing requirements.
But please follow the dosing instructions. An overdosed concentrated laundry detergent, even an eco-friendly one, negates any environmental benefits.

#4 - Choose between capsules, tablets, powder and liquid

It is

difficult to give an opinion on an entire line: all liquid and powder detergents are formed from different compositions. Therefore, the efficiency and impacts are not the same.
However, in all cases, prefer a liquid or powder detergent, rather than capsules or tablets.
Powders and liquids are less polluting than capsules and liquids.
Capsules are expensive and very harmful for children. Their dosage is difficult and they require more packaging.

#5 - The dosage, the temperature...

It

should be noted that environmentally friendly laundry also depends on other factors such as the dosage of the product and the washing temperature. It is also necessary to follow the instructions on the labels of the garment. It is advisable toremove stains before each wash.

Can you make your own detergent?

Many environmentally conscious people have chosen to make their own laundry detergents. The formulations, which often consist of lye, borax and a bar of soap, are not harmful to the environment. However, the effectiveness of these homemade detergents is questionable.

The advantage of ecological detergents is that they are not harmful to the environment or to health. It is a product with an ecolabel. The eco-label is provided by the manufacturer on request and appears on the product packaging. It is delivered by AFNOR CERTIFICATION.

The different types of organic and ecological detergents

Generally speaking, ecological detergents are grouped into three different types: washing powder, liquid detergent and detergent capsules.

Powdered detergent

Laundry powder is a detergent that produces little foam. Generally, its compositions contain anti-scaling and bleaching agents to prevent graying of the white color. Laundry powder is used effectively to remove exterior stains. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is its main surfactant, which effectively removes dirt such as grass, clay and mud. Powdered detergents prevent mildew from forming in the washing machine. Most of them contain bleach.

The disadvantage of washing powder is that it darkens the color. In water with a high mineral content (hard water) and at high temperatures, washing powder accelerates the formation of limescale. In any case, the respect of the doses and the maintenance of the machines are essential to avoid possible problems. This also increases the life of the machine. Laundry powder is a gentle detergent that protects your clothes and the environment.

Liquid detergent

Liquid laundry detergent does not contain bleach. Yet, for a more effective cleaning, its concentration is high in surfactants. Its composition also includes preservatives, most of which are allergenic. Liquid detergent is recommended for light-colored clothes. Here are some advantages of the liquid detergent, at very low temperatures, it preserves the colors, and dissolves or dilutes better at low temperatures. Liquid detergent includes preservatives in its water-based formulas to prevent rancidity.

Liquid laundry is moderately effective at removing some stains. When cleaning at low temperatures, this product increases the rapid multiplication of bacteria. Liquid laundry detergent includes preservatives in its water-based formulas to prevent rancidity. Note that liquid laundry detergent without phosphates is designed for professionals, it preserves your environment.

Washing powder in capsules

Capsule detergent is the ultimate capsule detergent that appears on the market. In terms of laundry, it is an innovative solution. Liquid detergents are liquid or powder detergents prepared to ensure that dosing problems do not occur. They are used to reduce the environmental impact of laundry cleaning and waste. Apart from their high price, capsules can also be a source of danger for children, who confuse these products with candy.

There is no strict universal standard regarding its dosage, as this is a function of three variable elements, namely, the filling volume of the machine, the hardness of the water and the dirtiness of clothes. You can easily add a small amount of powder or liquid, but for capsules, the amount added is double or single. However, correct dosage is an important aspect of reducing the environmental impact of laundry.

Ecological detergent or classic detergent

Ecological detergent

Washing raw materials are used that remove dirt and are able to emulsify solid and fatty particles. These materials are made of detergents and can replace traditional soap. They are renewable and have low energy costs. The harmless bleaching agents contained in the ecological laundry detergent make the clothes perfectly white. Ecological detergents also contain softeners based on sodium citrate or zeolites. These products prevent limescale deposits on the clothes.

Classic detergent

The washing raw materials come from petrochemical sources. These deplete resources and have high energy costs. The optical brighteners used in its bleaching agents have no real effect on its washing power. Conventional detergents do not contain softeners that can remove limescale deposits.

Verdict

With conventional detergents, the products are anchored in the clothes. It is noted that its use creates undesirable effects on the skin and other diseases. Conventional detergent is not biodegradable and can pollute the environment and water. With eco-friendly detergent, the products are not fixed in the clothes. Its components have excellent biodegradability.

Why should I buy an ecological detergent?

No aggressive chemicals

When your skin comes into contact with harsh chemicals, it leads to skin allergies. And sometimes it can even cause respiratory problems such as asthma. But if you use eco-friendly organic detergents, such respiratory problems are non-existent.

Environmentally friendly

As the demand for green products increases, more and more companies are being pushed to follow environmentally friendly regulations to produce eco-friendly bio products. This results in less toxic waste in the water and air, which promotes a better environment for vegetation and animal growth. In the end, we can enjoy cleaner air and safer food if we start using, for example, an environmentally friendly organic detergent.

Better for the skin

Your clothes come into contact with your skin all day long. If you use strong cleaners in the washing machine, the chemical elements in the detergent will become embedded in the fabric and cause allergies. Eco-friendly organic laundry detergents can help sensitive people, as they have only natural ingredients so that clean clothes are comfortable and non-irritating.

Affordable

Eco-friendly organic laundry detergent is usually sold in bulk, so you can save more money per ounce of cleaning solution. Concentrated forms are even more cost-effective, as they allow you to dilute the detergent to the level you need, instead of relying on a manufacturer's formula.

Improves air quality

The ingredients in any cleaning product get into the air when they are used, including sprays, laundry detergents and dishwashing soaps. The natural ingredients in eco-friendly organic laundry detergent are safer to breathe in during use, creating a safer home environment for you, your family and your pets.

Tips

Wash only when necessary

Clothes go through the washing machine too quickly: on average, T-shirts, pants and other clothes that come into contact with the skin are only worn once before being washed. It is essential to reduce the frequency of washing to minimize the impact on the environment and avoid premature wear of the fabric. You can wear most clothes several times before washing. Of course, except for some clothes that should be washed after each use, such as shirts, sportswear, swimwear, underwear ... If you hesitate to wash some clothes slightly stripped of their freshness, you can dry them to breathe fresh air. This will refresh them and avoid putting them in the laundry. The same goes for slightly stained clothes: you wash them before airing them, then wear them again. On the other hand, you always wash your new clothes before you put them on for the first time to remove residue and allergenic components.

Quickly treat stains

Whatever the type of stain, focus on speed rather than the miracle stain remover. The longer you wait, the more the stains will clump together and you'll need more stain remover to remove them. Here are the steps to take to remove stains from linens:- Treat stains first before washing in the machine, as the high temperatures will set some stains on the fabrics; - Remove stains with a small amount of soap or detergent. This is enough to remove most stains; - If this is not enough, or if a specific stain appears, opt for natural techniques instead of using conventional stain removers; - Before putting heavily soiled clothes in the washing machine, soak them in water containing detergent or soda crystals. This avoids using the "pre-wash" function.

Sorting clothes

Clothes are classified according to: - Their colors: white clothes should be washed separately to avoid discoloration; - Materials: synthetic, cotton, wool require different instructions; - The degree of soiling: very dirty clothes require a more thorough cleaning.In practice, to make your task easier, you can use laundry baskets, equipped with several compartments to sort the dirty laundry. This classification allows you to optimize the laundry. If everything is mixed, it is possible to wash textiles that only need a low temperature (eg 30 ° C) at high temperature. Therefore, the classification can preserve textiles, prolonging the life of textiles and delaying their replacement.In addition, you will not forget the basic principles to keep the clothes in a satisfactory condition and as long as possible:- On the visible parts, wash the clothes inside out to reduce the friction of the fibers; - Close the closures and velcro to avoid damage to other clothes.You do the laundry according to the instructions on the label of the clothes. Following the regulations of these small manufacturers will extend the life of the clothes.

Choose an economical machine and make the most of it

Capacity, type of tub or motor, loading mode, energy consumption... all parameters to consider when buying the washing machine that meets your needs. You always refer to the energy labels, to check the energy and water consumption. Whether or not you have an "economy" machine, you can use the following tips to reduce your water and energy bills: - Do laundry at a low temperature (30°C or less); - Select the longer, but more economical eco program.- Fill the machine, note that the "half load" program spends proportionally more; - Discharge water from laundry at high speed to reduce drying time; - Connect hot water if you are equipped with solar water heaters and if feasible with your washing machine model; - Take advantage of off-peak hours; If you want a more environmentally friendly detergent, prefer well-filtered rainwater

Respect the doses

Follow the dosing instructions that you will adapt according to the load of the machine, the degree of dirtiness of the garment... you will find all this information on the label of the laundry cans. Packages and cans give more details on the number of cleanings that can be done according to their capacity. If necessary, you can use this information to adjust the dosage.

FAQ

What is the best organic eco-friendly detergent?

The best eco-friendly laundry detergent depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.

What is laundry?

It is a cleaning product used for laundry. This alkaline substance uses surfactants, especially those present in soap, which are the excellent means of removing dirt from fabrics and dissolving them in water.Whether it is designed with synthetic detergent or natural soap, the laundry is generally composed of various chemical products, which have multiple functions: to keep the pH value of the water high, to prevent the dirt on the drum from soiling the clothes during washing, to absorb UV rays and re-emit them by fluorescence, so that the clothes appear whiter, are perfumed and have a longer life and a uniform colour.

Why do we talk about ecological detergents rather than organic detergents?

Organic detergents are ecological detergents or detergents formulated with ingredients from renewable sources. Indeed, the production of organic detergents will assume that the ingredients constituting organic detergents are entirely of plant origin and are obtained from organic farming. If we take the case of homemade laundry made by individuals to ensure the combination of elements of its product. It can contain essential oils of organic origin, for example for its perfume, but if necessary, it is also necessary to add other chemicals (bleach, baking soda ...). However, the ingredients used to clean textiles (such as soap) are not suitable for making organic laundry detergent, so this designation will no longer make sense.

Why choose an ecological detergent?

An ecological laundry for the environment and health The French do 231 washes per second, that is 7.3 billion annually. According to the statistics, each family does an average of 5 washes per week, which represents not far from 40 kg of products consumed. If we know that all these detergents are poured into wastewater, you understand better the importance of opting for biodegradable products that are not harmful to the environment.When your skin is sensitive, it is better to choose household cleaning products. If you know that 25% to 30% of English people suffer from allergies, you must be vigilant about the ingredients of household products.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , bien-et-bio.info
  2. , 60millions-mag.com
  3. , neozone.org
  4. , laurentgrenier.com
  5. , ecoconso.be
  6. , bioalaune.com
  7. , planetaddict.com
  8. , thespruce.com
  9. , serendipityhouse.com.hk
  10. , dh-asia.com
  11. , greenweez.com
  12. , 60millions-mag.com
  13. , lessive-naturelle.fr
  14. , mieux-vivre-autrement.com
  15. , bio-laundry.fr
  16. , goudronblanc.com
  17. , bioaddict.fr
  18. , lamarqueenmoins.fr
  19. , naturalia.fr
  20. , bioalaune.com
  21. , selectos.eu
  22. , toitsalternatifs.fr
  23. , vrai-comparatif.com
  24. , blog-habitat-durable.com
  25. , comme-avant.bio
  26. , jesuismodeste.fr
  27. , greenweez.com
  28. , thegreeneyes.fr
  29. , autourdunaturel.com
  30. , webecologie.com
  31. , mutyne.co
  32. , maison-ecolo.com
  33. , biolindo.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 9
Liquid detergent with vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT
Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT 10
Washing powder 1.5l vegetable soap L'ARBRE VERT
Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL 11
Liquid detergent x 114 PERSIL
Eco-Pack Liquid detergent 12
Eco-Pack Liquid detergent

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