Are ecostore laundry products suitable for HE (High Efficiency) washing machines?
Yes. We would suggest to use a lower dose (quarter to half the standard dose stated on pack), depending on how soiled the clothes are – HE machines can generate a lot of foam if excess detergent is used.
Should I use ecostore Laundry Liquid for the first wash (before use) on a new front loader machine?
We do not recommend doing this as it will over-foam the machine. Our laundry liquid contains eco-surfactants which tend to be high foaming. To control the foam we use Oleic Acid which acts as a de-foamer. However clothes and soiling are required in a wash when using ecostore Laundry Liquid as these contribute to foam reduction as well. So if the “before use” instructions for the machine say to run a cycle with no clothes and regular dose of detergent, our product is not suitable. Once the machine has been “readied for use” then it is fine to use ecostore Laundry Liquid.
Can I use ecostore Laundry Powder in a top or front loading machine?
Yes, we have a combination formula which is suitable for both top and front loaders. It has been designed so it won't over-foam in a front loading machine. The instructions recommend that you use half a dose in a front loader, 1 scoop in a top loader.
Do ecostore laundry products contain enzymes?
Enzymes are found in our Ultra Power range (available in Laundry Powder and Laundry Liquid). We use these for a performance boost, for those consumers who have harder soils to remove. Our standard range doesn't contain enzymes if you wish to use enzyme-free products.
Is ecostore Laundry Powder soap free?
There is a tiny amount of soap in our Laundry Powder and Laundry Liquid - where it is used as a de-foamer. Our Laundry Soaker & Stain Remover contains no soap.
Can I use ecostore Laundry Powder in a hot (90 degree) wash?
Yes, but the dose needs to be cut back as the hotter the temperature the more foam is created.
Can I use ecostore Laundry Powder on Merino wool?
Merino is a very delicate fibre, the powder can be too strong with respect to detergency and pH. Only use ecostore Wool & Delicates as this is specially formulated (mild surfactants and pH neutral) to be extra mild and provides a protective coating post washing.
Does ecostore Laundry Powder contain fillers?
We don't use calcium carbonate (a cheap filler that some laundry powder detergents use). We do use zeolite as one of our ingredients (sometimes mistaken as a filler). It is a very fine powder mineral that removes hardness in water so as not to affect your washing machine and for improved performance.
What weight is your recommended dose based on?
One dose for a 6.5kg load of washing. Heavily soiled clothing may require more.
What do I do if I find some bits of Laundry Powder undissolved after the rinse cycle of my washing machine?
Powder may be harder to dissolve during cold wash application during winter. Try washing at a warmer wash temperature setting or extending the rinse cycle.
How long should I soak my clothes for using ecostore Laundry Soaker & Stain Remover?
For coloured fabrics, soak for a maximum of 2 hours. For whites, soak for a minimum of 2 hours. Make sure that the powder is fully dissolved prior to soaking to avoid damage.
Does ecostore Laundry Soaker contain bleach?
Our Laundry Soaker contains an active oxygen bleach-like ingredient, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide. Sodium Carbonate Peroxide acts as a 'bleach' by removing colour pigments, soils and stains from dirty dishes or laundry. We use this ingredient for its efficiency and high-performance, whilst still being non-toxic and biodegradable.
Can I soak my cloth nappies in ecostore Laundry Soaker?
Yes, our Laundry Soaker is great for soaking baby nappies. However, if the nappies contain bamboo or hemp fabrics, the product is not suitable for use as it could damage the delicate fabric. In fact, it is not recommended to use any sort of bleach on bamboo and hemp fabrics and although our Laundry Soaker contains natural ingredients, it is still a form of natural bleach.
I'm adding ecostore Laundry Soaker into my wash - how much should I use?
The recommended dose is 2 tablespoons into the correct compartment for a stain remover. If you find there is a lot of foam in the machine, use less. If you have heavily soiled clothes, 3 tablespoons can be used.
Why do I need to be careful of the Laundry Soaker solution getting into contact with metals?
The product can oxidise metal causing bare metal to rust. Also be careful to prepare the soaker solution in plastic or other non-metallic basins.
Where do I add ecostore Fabric Softener in to my washing machine?
In a front loader use the fabric softener dispenser which is usually on the right hand side. In a top loader there is a dispensing cup to add the softener to (which you pull out to put the detergent down the chute).
Where do I put ecostore Fabric Softener if I don’t have a dispenser? Or for hand washing?
Add it in to the final rinse cycle.
Is ecostore Fabric Softener anti-static?
Yes, it has anti-static properties which help prevent electrical shocks when handling some types of textile from the dryer.
Will the enzymes in the ecostore Ultra Power range irritate my skin?
Given the very low inclusion levels and the encapsulation technology to protect the enzyme we’re confident that it is extremely unlikely enzymes will irritate skin – less likely than the proportion of people affected by fragrance, for example.
What type of enzymes are used in ecostore Ultra Power laundry products?
Protease, amylase, mannanase, pectate lysase, and lipase.
Will enzymes damage my clothes?
Enzymes will not damage clothing. Exactly the opposite. The deep cleaning functionality will effectively remove stubborn ingrained stains that contribute to gradually dulling of colours and appearance of stains. For woollens and silk it is recommended to avoid enzymes to avoid any potential fibre damage.
Are enzymes biodegradable?
Yes, enzymes are readily biodegradable.
Are enzymes greywater suitable?
Enzymes can actually improve waste water quality through offsetting a larger amount of surfactants/additives.
Are enzymes genetically modified?
The enzymes used in ecostore Auto Dish Powders/Tabs and Ultra Power Laundry products are not genetically modified. The enzymes are industrially produced using genetically modified micro-organisms. We are not against the ethical use of GE contained in laboratories e.g: for the production of medicines such as insulin or more recently for the production of enzymes.
What is sugar plastic?
We’re committed to making products that are safer for people and our world. So it’s natural, that we also look to continually improve our packaging. We wanted a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic and we found one. It's plastic made from sugarcane. It comes from a completely renewable, sustainable source, and it’s 100% recyclable. Plus, the sugarcane we use for our packaging removes carbon from the atmosphere, which helps reduce climate change. We think that’s a pretty sweet start. Find out more.
Are your products tested on animals?
No, none of our products have been (or ever will be) tested on animals.
Are your products suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all of our products are suitable for vegetarians.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
A lot of our products are vegan-friendly, however some of our products do contain goat's milk, Manuka honey, beeswax or propolis from bees. These ingredients are carefully selected and must meet certain criteria before we use them. They must be sustainably harvested and animal welfare assured.
Are your products GE / GMO free?
None of our plant-based ingredients come from genetically modified crops such as corn or soy. While we’re against GE field trials, we agree with organisations like Greenpeace that there’s a place for the ethical development of GE in laboratories, for producing medicines like insulin, or useful enzymes. The enzymes used in our auto dish powders, dish tabs and laundry products are a result of genetically engineered micro-organisms.
Are you products gluten free?
Our products are not certified as gluten free. While the chance of our products triggering an allergic reaction to gluten are low, it cannot be ruled out. Our Manuka Honey & Kelp Soap, Manuka & Oatmeal Soap and Baby Soap may contain gluten. Some of the surfactants in our products can be derived from corn eg: coco-glucoside but it's the fatty acid component (not the protein which is what triggers an allergy). If a sensitivity is severe to any material derived from corn then please avoid our Dish Liquid, Baby Shampoo, and Bubble Bath. As well as the specific products containing gluten mentioned above, any ingredient that ends with GLUCOSIDE will have come from corn.
Are your products organic?
No, our products are not organic. While we do work with our suppliers to try and trace our raw materials to source and of course work with suppliers that we know have strong ethical sourcing criteria we cannot currently claim organic as some of our ingredients do require chemical processing. We do undertake continuous improvement and as new technologies become available we switch out those chemically processed materials for the most sustainable options.
Can I recycle the packaging?
Yes. Our bottles are made from sugar plastic which is 100% recyclable at kerbside. Our FSC Cardboard packaging is also 100% recyclable. Our bulk containers (5L and 20L) are made from standard HDPE plastic, which may have some restrictions on recycling due to the size. Please check with your local council as to their own restrictions.
Do any of your products contain alcohol?
Yes. Some of our products do contain Benzyl Alcohol which occurs naturally in apricots, snap beans, cocoa, cranberries, mushrooms and honey. It also occurs in some essential oils such as Jasmine and Ylang Ylang. We use it as a preservative to ensure our products are adequately protected from expiring. It's one of the few preservatives allowed in Ecocert certified products. It is a safe, globally approved and effective preservative that we believe is our best option for now and the near future.
Do any of your products contain palm oil?
Palm oil is a complex and emotive topic. We are committed to using certified, sustainable palm oil as it is a healthier and safer alternative to petrochemicals. It requires significantly less land than coconut for an equivalent yield. Our goal is to contribute positively to the overall transformation of the palm oil industry, through support of certified and sustainable sources. While we believe certified, sustainable palm oil is the best option for now, we also regularly assess alternatives. Find out more.