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Robin is Our Big Earth’s Executive Editor. A journalist with nearly 20 years under her belt, she’s worked for newspapers and magazines across North America. The Comox Valley became her home in 2006 when she and her husband ditched big-city life to be close to family while raising their daughter.

Product Review – BC-Made Household Cleaners

Posted by Robin Rivers on November 9th, 2009 2 Comments Printer-Friendly

When it comes to household cleaners and laundry soap, I’ve never really thought much about shopping for locally-made products. I totally admit that I’m a fussy-butt about germs and – while I definitely wanted to make sure that we didn’t throw a huge whack of chemicals, that come with non-ecofriendly options, into the mix – I wanted clean and I wanted to be sure of it.

Some of the regionally-made products I’d found were okay. But, I still always felt like I had to run through with the vinegar spray afterward. As for laundry soap, well, I’m still struggling with something that is eco-friendly and actually cleans my clothes well without breaking the bank.

Then I was over at Brambles a few weeks ago and there were two BC-made lines of household cleaning products that I’d never tried before. I happened to be out of kitchen and bath cleaner, as well as laundry soap. So, I gave them a try. (Brambles is an OBE advertiser. But, they did not solicit or pay for this review)

PR1109091

The first line was Echo-Clean from V.I.P. I’ve used VIP products before as stores like Thrifty’s have a really great selection of them. But, this was a first for V.I.P’s Echo-Clean line. I bought the foaming spray for kitchen and bath in the orange scent. First, it smells great. Second, I learned really quickly that too much meant a big foamy mess all over your counter – which I didn’t like so much. But, what I like the most is how it cleans things. Counters sparkled, everything smelled good, no gross residue. No vinegar spray follow-up for the first time in a while.

The bathroom cleaner had the same results. I liked the scent options less. But, overall I dug it as the residue thing is a big issue for us and, once again, nothing to speak of. It wiped up nicely too.

Then I was off to try the Vancouver Only brand of Laundry Soap. I totally admit that I bought it because of the funky retro design on the bag. Shallow, maybe. But, can’t a girl have cute laundry soap?!

It comes in a powder, which I don’t normally use. But, I have to say that my laundry is far cleaner than many of the other name-brand eco-friendly soaps have gotten it. It has no nitrates or phosphates, comes in a recyclable bag and has a scent that smells a bit like dryer sheets (I didn’t look to see if there was an unscented version). The price was so very right too. I REALLY struggle with how much eco-friendly products cost, and the Vancouver Only line is one of the most affordable out there.

PR1109092

The Vancouver Only Dish Soap was the last of the group, unscented and perfectly great in the dish soap department. It also has no animal products and is very easy on the skin. You don’t need much as it’s super concentrated. So, it goes a REALLY long way. Plus, it has the the whole cute vintage-style label thing again. I am a sucker for packaging.

My only concern related to the Vancouver Only products is that there is pretty much no online information about the company or the products at all. I do realize, however, that it is a small, BC line.

It was fun to give the whole local shopping thing a bit more umph and see the quality that came with it.

Echo-Clean photo courtesy of V.I.P Soap Products

This is not an Advertisement

Here at Our Big Earth we have a strict policy about how we handle product reviews. We only review products we've enjoyed and, while businesses do occasionally send us products (we will always tell you when that is the case) we either pay for the product or use it as a giveaway. If a product is not reviewed, it is returned. If a product is reviewed, a business or advertiser has no editorial control over the review.

They see the review for the first time when you do. Advertisers and businesses cannot pay to have their products reviewed and you'll never see a link, product or business mention in a post that has been purchased by that business.


Tagged as: British Columbia, British Columbia products, cleaning products, Comox Valley, Echo-Clean, eco-friendly, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, green living, household cleaners, locally-made, made-in BC, made-in British Columbia, Our Big Earth Media Co., product review, V.I.P Soap Products, Vancouver Only
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  • Bevin said:

    Although it’s not made in BC (made in USA), Ecos is a wonderful eco-friendly laundry soap that cleans well (even extra dirty clothes) and is affordable – 6.21L costs between $16.69 and $18.69 at Canadian Tire and last forever. It’s 100% biodegradable, phosphate, formaldehyde and petrochemical free, recyclable bottle and lid, neutral PH, and smells great. We have sensitive skin when it comes to smelly laundry soap, but this is neither perfumy or irritating.

    Sampsons on 5th also carries a line of eco-friendly phosphate free laundry soap that I’ve used and liked.

    In the past, I’ve used the V.I.P. laundry soap and loved it. It even got greasy mechanic work/home reno/dive clothes clean, which is a big deal around here.

    V.I.P. makes a great biodegradable dish soap called Granny’s. I buy it at Thrifty’s where it’s regularly on sale for $1.99 and love it. It cleans dishes well, smells great and lasts since not too much is needed. The only issue is that ingredients are not listed on the bottle. I’m going to explore V.I.P. products more.

    I will have to try out the Vancouver Only line of products and see how the laundry soap compares. Buying local would be better for my carbon footprint. Thanks for sharing, Robin.

    -November 9th, 2009 at 11:05 am

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