We have cleaned our home with Ecover for over two years, across eight products from the washing-up liquid to the laundry detergent, all bought with our own money. Most have earned a permanent place under our sink. A couple have not. Here is the honest, product-by-product verdict on what actually cleans, what falls short, and whether the eco trade-off is worth it.
Our four five-star picks, the ones we are lukewarm on, how they compare at a glance, whether Ecover is genuinely green after the SC Johnson takeover, and the questions people ask most.
Our picks after two years
We ranked all eight by how often they earn their place in our cleaning routine. We buy everything we test ourselves; the buttons below are affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Multi-Action Surface Cleaner
Our most-used Ecover product by a distance, and the one we would rebuy first. The concentrate is the trick: add water, and one bottle lasts us over six months. It shifts stubborn turmeric stains off utensils in about five minutes, spray, wait, rinse. A genuine five out of five.
- Concentrate lasts six months plus
- Cuts grease and turmeric stains
- Fresh scent, no chemical hit
- Concentrate needs a spray bottle
Sensitive Washing-Up Liquid
The one product we have never felt the need to replace. It lathers well, cuts grease on the worst pans, and stays gentle on the hands even after a big wash-up. Our go-to scent is chamomile and clementine, and there is a refill. Five out of five.
- Strong grease-cutting lather
- Gentle on the skin
- Several scents plus a refill
- Nothing we would flag
Sensitive Non-Bio Laundry Detergent
Fresh, clean laundry with no residue on clothes and no overpowering perfume, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. It has become our default detergent, and it comes as liquid, capsules, powder or refill. Five out of five.
- No residue on clothes
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Capsule, powder and refill options
- Subtle scent if you like it strong
Limescale Remover
As effective as any conventional limescale remover we have used, on taps, sinks and bathroom fixtures, but without the harsh chemical smell. The berries-and-basil scent is strong yet genuinely pleasant. Five out of five.
- Matches conventional cleaners
- Pleasant natural scent
- Works kitchen and bathroom
- Fragrance is on the strong side
Windows and Glass Cleaner
Just as good as conventional glass cleaners: streak-free, shiny windows and mirrors, with a light green-tea-and-grapefruit scent that does not linger. Only half a star off, because glass cleaner is glass cleaner. Four and a half out of five.
- Streak-free finish
- Subtle, fresh scent
- Works on all glass and mirrors
- Priced above a supermarket spray
Oven and Hob Cleaner
Excellent for everyday upkeep on our induction hob and for burnt-on food, and far pleasanter to use than a traditional oven cleaner. The honest catch: for a deep clean every six months or so, a conventional cleaner still does better. Four out of five.
- Great for daily messes
- Kind to an induction hob
- Pleasant scent
- Not for the occasional deep clean
Fast-Action Toilet Cleaner
Fine for regular cleaning and limescale, with a clean pine-and-mint scent, and it comes as a refill. It is just not as punchy as the strongest conventional toilet cleaners, so heavy stains can need a second pass. Still a solid four out of five.
- Good for routine cleaning
- Refillable
- Fresh pine-and-mint scent
- Tough stains may need a second pass
Bathroom Cleaner
The one we are lukewarm on. The mint-and-cucumber scent is lovely, but it struggles with stubborn soap scum, and our Multi-Action spray does the same job better. It is the one Ecover product we would not rebuy. Three out of five.
- Pleasant mint-and-cucumber scent
- Fine for light wipe-downs
- Weak on stubborn soap scum
- Multi-Action does it better
Every product at a glance
| Product | Best for | Scent | Our rating | Would we rebuy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Action Surface Cleaner | Everyday grease | Lemongrass & orange | 5 / 5 | Yes, first |
| Washing-Up Liquid | Dishes | Chamomile & clementine | 5 / 5 | Yes |
| Non-Bio Laundry Detergent | Laundry | Lavender & sandalwood | 5 / 5 | Yes |
| Limescale Remover | Limescale | Berries & basil | 5 / 5 | Yes |
| Windows and Glass Cleaner | Glass & mirrors | Green tea & grapefruit | 4.5 / 5 | Yes |
| Oven and Hob Cleaner | Daily hob upkeep | Jasmine & mandarin | 4 / 5 | Yes |
| Fast-Action Toilet Cleaner | Routine toilet cleaning | Pine & mint | 4 / 5 | Yes |
| Bathroom Cleaner | Light bathroom wipe-downs | Mint & cucumber | 3 / 5 | No |
How we tested
There is no lab here, just two years of real use in a real household. We bought every product ourselves, used each one the way anyone would, on kitchen surfaces, dishes, glass, laundry and the bathroom, and kept using them long enough to see how they held up. Some earned repeat purchases; one did not. The photos throughout are our own bottles.
Is Ecover actually green?
Cleaning power is only half the reason to switch, so it is fair to ask whether the eco credentials hold up. On the things we can verify, they largely do. Ecover’s formulas are plant-based and biodegradable, designed to break down without harming aquatic life, and they are septic-safe. Bottles are made from recycled plastic, the brand runs in-store refill points to cut single-use packaging, and its main factory is run as a zero-waste-to-landfill site.
On animals, Ecover is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, and most of the range is vegan, though it is worth checking individual labels. The honest complication is ownership: Ecover, along with Method, was bought by the American cleaning giant SC Johnson in 2017. Ecover has kept its own certifications and formulations since, but if a fully independent brand matters to you, that is the context to weigh.
The honest bits
Two things to know before you buy. The bathroom cleaner is the weak link: it never really beat stubborn soap scum for us, and the Multi-Action spray does the same job better, so we would skip it. And Ecover costs a little more than conventional supermarket brands. For everyday cleaning we think the trade-off is worth it, but for the occasional heavy-duty deep clean, a conventional cleaner still has the edge.
- Buy first: the Multi-Action spray, washing-up liquid, laundry detergent and limescale remover, all five out of five after two years.
- Solid everyday choices: the windows, oven-and-hob and toilet cleaners all earn a four.
- The one to skip: the bathroom cleaner. The Multi-Action spray does its job better.
Ecover FAQ
Who owns Ecover now?
Ecover has been owned by the American family firm SC Johnson since 2017, when it acquired Ecover and Method together. Ecover still operates under its own name and has kept its certifications and plant-based formulations.
Do Ecover products clean as well as conventional ones?
For everyday cleaning, yes. In our two years of use the washing-up liquid, limescale remover, glass cleaner and laundry detergent matched conventional products. The gap only shows on heavy-duty jobs, a periodic oven deep clean or stubborn bathroom soap scum, where a stronger conventional cleaner still wins.
Are Ecover products cruelty-free and vegan?
Ecover is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, so its products and ingredients are not tested on animals. Most of the range is vegan, but a few items are not, so check the individual label if that matters to you.
Can you refill Ecover bottles?
Yes. Ecover runs refill stations in many zero-waste and health shops, and several products, including the washing-up liquid, toilet cleaner and laundry detergent, come in larger refill formats. Refilling is the cheapest way to buy and cuts plastic waste.
Are Ecover products septic-safe?
Yes. The formulas are biodegradable and non-toxic, which makes them suitable for septic systems.
Are they suitable for sensitive skin?
Many are. The washing-up liquid and the non-bio laundry detergent are both marketed as sensitive and were gentle on our hands and skin over two years. If you have a specific allergy, check the ingredient list, as Ecover also offers hypoallergenic options.
Is Ecover worth the extra cost?
For us, mostly yes. Ecover costs a little more than conventional brands, but the concentrates go a long way, one Multi-Action bottle lasts us over six months, and the everyday performance is genuinely good. The exception is the bathroom cleaner, which we would not buy again.
How this work is funded
We buy every product ourselves and test it at home. No sponsored tests, no pay-to-rate schemes, no display advertising. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.