greening my cleaning with ecover {review and giveaway}

I'm always looking for ways to "green my routine" a little bit, and especially when it comes to cleaning. I hate all the strong chemicals that most cleaners have. So when I was given a chance to review a green product by Ecover, I jumped at the chance! From the moment it arrived, I knew Ecover was different from other companies... just check it out:

The recycled their old papers by shredding them into filler for their packages!

I was given their natural laundry liquid to try out. Since Gwen's arrival, we've been using one of the big name free and clear detergents. I liked that it didn't have dyes or perfumes, but still didn't love all the chemicals involved (especially since Gwen's skin can be a little sensitive). Ecover's Laundry Liquid does have a smell, but its light, pleasant smell that comes from plant based materials. Plus, once washed the smell didn't linger, our clothes just smelled... clean! And its made to be safe for sensitive skin.

As for how it works, well I gave it a good workout... a full washer, complete with my grimy jeans from working outside, and the towels we used to wash and dry Daisy. It passed with flying colors! Everything came out looking great. Plus, it is extra concentrated, so you need only a small amount to do a large load.

Something else to love, their new 100% PlantPlastic Bottles. A little bit about PlantPlastic from their brochure:

Like you, we recognize that plastic packaging is a major problem - not only does it clutter up your home, the plastic is made from crude oil. It’s an increasingly scarce resource and we all know the problems associated with oil spills and the pollution it brings…. So for three years now we’ve been working to find a new, alternative packaging solution that starts to address some of these issues. We’re very proud of the results. By harnessing the power of nature and applying a little clever science, we’ve implemented an innovative new PolyEthylene (PE) - a green plastic we call PlantPlastic that’s 100% renewable, reusable and recyclable - and made from sugarcane! We’re so pleased with it that we’re making our bottles 100% PlantPlastic. It’s also good to see that some other well-known brands are now thinking of following our lead – even if they initially only intend using up to 30% renewable plastic. Manufacturing our new PlantPlastic is unbelievably simple. Sugarcane is harvested to produce sugar, which is then fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. This ethanol is dehydrated to create ethylene, which is polymerized into PlantPlastic. That’s really all there is to it. PlantPlastic is impressive in so many other ways. Because the sugarcane is grown and harvested in harmony with its natural environment, the nearby Amazonian rainforests remain unaffected. The entire production process is so efficient that we need only harvest 15 hectares of land to make a year’s worth of Ecover packaging. Taking a look at the packaging your favorite products come in is another step toward your more sustainable lifestyle. With the new Ecover PlantPlastic bottles, we make it easy to choose; 100% PlantPlastic bottles made from sugarcane mean you cut down on your carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels, simply by choosing our bottle! It’s one more way Ecover makes it easy to Feel Good Cleaning.

I definitely look to cut out plastic use whenever possible, so this is a big bonus for me.

Learn more about Ecover by checking out their website http://www.ecover.com or following them on twitter (EcoverUS) and facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EcoverUS

BUY IT: Ecover products are widely distributed, and you can look for a retailer near you by using their store locator: www.findecover.com. You can also check out their online shop (free shipping on orders over $40,  and since they are an online shop host for many other brands, it’s easy to reach the $40 minimum): www.ecover.alice.com.

WIN IT: Ecover is offering one lucky winner a bottle of Liquid Laundry, just like I received! Check out the rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway