Natural laundry products put to the test by the Yours team

Gabrielle Albert asked the Yours team to try a range of eco-friendly washing products to find the ones that really do remove dirt and add freshness to your laundry without the need for harsh chemicals

Method Tropical Coconut Fabric Softener

We weren’t too keen on the initial smell of the liquid at first whiff but once used in the washing machine, the clothes smelled so good – very fresh and softening the fabric really well. It did everything a conditioner should do and when the clothes were ironed they released even more of the delightful fragrance. It may seem a little pricey compared to some of the other softeners, but the bottle is huge and should last for quite some time.

■ Available in supermarkets

Ethique Flash Bar

This solid laundry bar is the perfect washing all-rounder – effective at removing individual stains, handwashing delicates, freshening up clothes when on holiday as well as washing dishes or even your hands on camping trips! It smells lovely and is really effective at removing dirt, thanks to the inclusion of white kaolin clay. We love that it is all-natural – made with 100 per cent biodegradable ingredients and essential oil. It looks quite small, but a little goes a long way.

■ From www.ethique.co.uk

Ecover Stain Remover

The nifty little brush applicator on this product is really handy for removing pesky stains that just don’t budge, from makeup to food. You can use it to effectively work the product into the stain, without it damaging the fabric or rubbing the stain in further. You can then either hand-wash the garment or place in a normal washing load afterwards. The only downside is that it’s not recommended for wool, silk and other delicate fabrics.

■ From Amazon – 0800 279 7234, www.amazon.co.uk

Ecozone Soap Nuts

These nuts produce great results and are ideal for those sensitive to strong fragrances. Simply pop a few into the provided drawstring bag, place directly in the drum on top of the washing, and enjoy clean and stain-free clothes. Each bag of four to five nuts can be used for up to four washes, giving great results each time, and the bag itself contains enough nuts to cover approx 100 washes! Recycle them in your household recycling.

■ From Lakeland – 015394

88100, www.lakeland.co.uk

Wilko

Non Bio Skin Kind Laundry Liquid & Wilko Eco Sensitive Fabric Conditioner

When used together, these two deliver clean laundry that is gentle on the skin. They’re particularly great for those who aren’t too keen on an overpowering floral fragrance but who still want their laundry to have that natural freshness. Not only do they use sustainable plant-derived cleaning ingredients, but the packaging is made from recycled materials that can be recycled again!

■ From Wilko – 0800 0329 329, www.wilko.com

Ecover

Honeysuckle and Jasmine Laundry Liquid and Ecover Gardenia and Vanilla Softener

Not only are these two effective at cleaning materials using low temperatures (ie 30˚C cycles) but the combination of jasmine and honeysuckle leaves laundry smelling fresh for days after being washed. We love that the conditioner isn’t too thick and doesn’t leave a residue in the washing machine dispenser. Great for senstive skin.

■ From Waitrose – 0800 188 884, www.waitrose.com