Ecover All Purpose Cleaner 5L: 4 Unusual Uses

If you’re looking for an eco friendly multi-purpose cleaner then look no further than Ecover all purpose cleaner 5L. If you’re like me then you’ll be glad to know that you don’t need to worry about unsightly stains on your floor or behind the toilet and compromise the health of the planet!

This article is not about your regular eco floor cleaner. You can read about that in my article Best Eco Friendly Cleaning Products. In this article I’ll outline 4 usual uses for Ecover All Purpose Cleaner that I have tried around my house. I’ll also list a couple ideas that really didn’t work and that you should avoid.

Introducing Ecover All Purpose Cleaner 5L

I have to say that I have used Ecover on and off for the last 10 years (basically whenever it was on offer in the supermarket). A quick overview, Ecover are a certified zero waste cleaning brand and has been around the block – so to speak. They started in 1979 and have been going strong for decades. The Ecover products I have tried are:

• All purpose floor cleaner
• Toilet Cleaner Pine Scent
• Washing Powder (see review below)
• Dishwasher tablets
• Ecover washing up liquid

My Early Views of Ecover

Like with a lot the early eco friendly products I was skeptical for example when I used Ecover washing powder on my clothes. Although I was happy the bottle was made from recycled plastic at first glance after the wash, I thought ‘smells nice’ but doesn’t feel that clean.

Over the years Ecover has perfected their washing and cleaning range and created new improved concentrated washing and floor cleaners. For families like mine this is perfect. After cleaning our mucky floor of dog and shoe prints with the improved concentrated lemongrass all purpose cleaner unleashes such a fresh but gentle fragrance throughout the house.

Ecover Bio D Washing Powder

A while back I reviewed two eco washing powders which happed to be Ecover and Bio D. You can read my full comparative review of Ecover and Bio D Washing Powder here. Lastly Ecover is a vegan certified and is made from plant based materials meaning minimal harm to marine life and comes in eco friendly packaging such as recycle plastic.

Photo Credit: Green Eco Lifestyle

Ecovers Mission

Ecover has an interesting story and mission which you can read all about here. A quick summary though is that they have been around for 40 Years with the aim of redefining cleaning products that are good for home and the environment.

I also learned that they were one of the 1st companies’ in 1979 to discredit the use of phosphates and use natural bio-ingredients like coconut and rapeseed oil.

Photo Credit: Ecover

Unusual Uses For Eco Cover All Purpose Cleaner

So getting down to the meat and potatoes of this article which is to discuss 4 unusual uses for Ecover 5L. I came across these uses purely out of desperation or frustration to be honest. The main scenario being that my daughter or dog had made a mess and I didn’t have the right product to clean it up. So out of desperation I tried Ecover all purpose cleaner.

Typical uses for all purpose cleaner are cleaning hard floor surfaces, septic tanks, kitchen surfaces. However the 4 areas I’ll cover are:

• Cleaning upholstery
• Cleaning tile grout
• Degreasing kitchen appliances
• Freshening carpets and rugs

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Removing Stubborn Stains from Upholstery

Did you know Ecover is not just for cleaning hard surfaces or your kitchen floor. It’s inevitable that stains will end up on sofas, armchairs or beds when you have kids and pets. So it’s important to be armed with the knowledge and power to clean marks quickly.

For me and my family we end up getting finger, food and play food marks on the seats and and arms of our sofas and chairs. Most foods, grease and mud are biological and can be spot cleaned. for Best results I like to clean as soon as possible to prevent staining.

Below is a table of typical foods that are biological.

How To Use Ecover On Upholstery

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make and use Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to clean food, grease, and mud off your sofa and dining chair:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies

You’ll need the following items:

• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
• Microfiber cloth or sponge
• Warm water
• 1 Spray bottle

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water. I like to reuse a kitchen cleaner spray bottle or you can buy a reusable spray bottle from store such as Miniml UK.
2. Add 1 part of new improved concentrated Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to the spray bottle. Typically, I use about 1 part cleaner to 10 parts water.

Step 3: Test on a Small Area

1. Before I rushed to clean all the marks on the entire sofa and dining chair, I tested the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration.
2. My sofa is a blue colour and I didn’t want any discolouration.

Step 4: Preparing the Surface

1. I used a the dry part of the micro-fibre cloth to remove any loose debris or food particles from the sofa and dining chair.
2. If dealing with stubborn stains like dried playdough, I used a soft brush or cloth to gently loosen them.

Step 5: Application of the Cleaner

1. I sprayed the Ecover All Purpose Cleaner solution onto the stained areas of the sofa and dining chair.
2. Then I allowed the cleaner to sit for a 2-3 minutes to penetrate and loosen the dirt, grease, and food particles.

Step 6: Cleaning Process

1. I Took a microfiber cloth or sponge and gently scrub the stained areas in a circular motion.
2. For tougher stains, you may need to apply a bit more pressure, but avoid scrubbing too vigorously to prevent damage to the fabric.
3. Continue cleaning until the stains are lifted and the surface appears clean.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

1. lastly, using a clean, a wet cloth, I rinsed the cleaned areas to remove any remaining cleaner residue.
2. Pat the surface dry with a clean towel to absorb excess moisture.

Step 8: Allow to Air Dry

I (tried to) allow the sofa and dining chair to air dry completely before using them again. But don’t beat yourself up if your family ends up getting in the way.

Step 9: Repeat if Necessary

If any stains persist, you may need to repeat the cleaning process.

Step 10: Maintenance

I like to regularly clean the sofa and dining chair to prevent buildup of dirt and stains. I end up spot cleaning a couple of times a month as needed using the same method outlined above.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively use Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to clean food, grease, and mud off your sofa and dining chair, leaving them fresh and clean.

Photo Credit: Jan Van Der Muelen

Reviving Dingy Tile Grout

I quite often look at the grout in my bathroom and kitchen and shudder. It ends up looking a nasty and grey. In the past I’ve used bleach which does work but cost is that the smell is overpowering.

I also has made the choice to reduce the number of products that I buy so reducing down to a few essentials like ecover because it can be used to a range of products.

Steps Clean Tiles With Ecover All Purpose Cleaner

Here’s a 5-step process for mixing and cleaning dingy tile grout using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner with measurements in milliliters (ml):

Step 1: Gather Materials

You’ll need the following materials:

• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
• Warm water
• Spray bottle
• Scrub brush, toothbrush or grout brush
• Clean cloth or sponge

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

1. Fill a spray bottle with 250 ml of warm water.
2. Add 25 ml of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to the spray bottle.

Step 3: Shake and Mix

1. Secure the spray bottle’s cap tightly and shake the bottle vigorously to ensure thorough mixing of the water and cleaner.

Step 4: Apply the Cleaning Solution

1. Spray the Ecover All Purpose Cleaner solution directly onto the dingy tile grout, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Allow the solution to sit for about 5-10 minutes to penetrate and loosen the dirt and grime. The timing is important as the solution needs to work it’s way into the grout.

Step 5: Scrub and Rinse

1. Use a scrub brush or grout brush to scrub the tile grout vigorously, focusing on areas with stubborn stains.
2. Rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining cleaner residue.
3. Wipe down the tiles and grout with a clean cloth or sponge to dry and remove any leftover grime.

Additional Tips:

• For extremely dirty grout, I like to repeat the cleaning process or use a stronger concentration of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner.
• I try to clean once a month but again I am a busy mum so it can end up being longer. However by following these steps and using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner, you should be able to effectively clean and revitalize dingy tile grout, leaving your tiled surfaces looking fresh and bright.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Degreasing Kitchen Appliances

We all know that kitchens can build up with grease over time but appliances like my kettle, cooker and backs of microwave and Air Fryer often end up gathering dust and grease. The active ingredients in Ecover such as sodium lauryl sulfate, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, lactic acid, methyl epoxidized soyate work to remove grease.

Here’s a table listing kitchen appliances that commonly attract grease and can be cleaned effectively with Ecover All Purpose Cleaner:

How to Clean Grease Using Ecover

Here’s a 5-step process for mixing and cleaning greasy kitchen appliances like a kettle using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner:

Step 1: Gather Materials

Ensure you have the necessary materials:

• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
• Warm water
• Sponge or soft cloth
• Small brush (optional, for crevices)

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

1. Fill a sink or basin with warm water.
2. Add 50 ml of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to the water and mix well.

Step 3: Disassemble (if possible)

• If your appliance allows for disassembly, take apart removable parts such as the lid or filter to clean them separately. My kettle doesn’t – So I didn’t need to.

Step 4: Soak and Scrub

1. Submerge the removable parts of the kettle in the cleaning solution.
2. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes to loosen grease and grime.
3. Using a sponge or soft cloth, scrub the surfaces of the kettle and its parts, focusing on areas with visible grease buildup.
4. For hard-to-reach areas or crevices, use a small brush dipped in the cleaning solution to gently scrub away grease.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

1. Rinse all parts thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining cleaner residue.
2. Wipe down all surfaces with a clean, dry cloth to ensure they are completely dry.
3. If you need to reassemble the kettle if you disassembled it earlier.

Additional Tips:

• For stubborn grease buildup, you may need to repeat the soaking and scrubbing process or use a more concentrated solution of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner. Don’t scrub too hard though as you might end up scratching the kettle.

Freshening Carpets and Rugs

I don’t have carpets in my house except on the top set of stairs which are hardly used. We do ave rugs in the bedrooms and downstairs. Over time they have attracted a musty smell from my dog, dropped food and sweaty socks!

In the past I’ve used odour eliminating products which worked but are plastic waste intensive. You can also use candles to keep the room smelling fresh but it doesn’t address the underlying problem.

How to Clean Rugs With Ecover

Here’s a 6-step process for mixing and cleaning rugs using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner:

Step 1: Gather Materials

Ensure you have the necessary materials:

• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
• Warm water
• Spray bottle
• Scrub brush or soft-bristled brush
• Clean towels or cloths
• Vacuum cleaner (optional)

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

1. Fill a spray bottle with 250 ml of warm water.
2. Add 50 ml of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to the spray bottle.

Step 3: Vacuum the Rug (Optional)

If your rug is heavily soiled or has loose debris, vacuum it thoroughly before applying the cleaning solution to remove any loose dirt or particles.

Step 4: Apply the Cleaning Solution

1. Spray the Ecover All Purpose Cleaner solution evenly over the surface of the rug, focusing on areas with visible stains or dirt buildup.
2. Allow the solution to penetrate the fibers of the rug for about 5-10 minutes to loosen dirt and grime.

Step 5: Scrub the Rug

1. Use a scrub brush or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the rug in a circular motion, paying particular attention to stained or heavily soiled areas.
2. Avoid scrubbing too vigorously, especially if your rug has delicate fibers or a delicate backing.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

1. Dampen a clean towel or cloth with water and blot the rug to remove the cleaning solution and any loosened dirt.
2. Repeat the blotting process with a dry towel or cloth to absorb excess moisture.
3. Allow the rug to air dry completely before placing it back in its original location.

Additional Tips:

• Test the cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the rug before applying it to the entire surface to ensure compatibility.
• For particularly stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the cleaning process or spot treat the affected areas with a more concentrated solution of Ecover All Purpose Cleaner.

By following these steps and using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner, you should be able to effectively clean your rugs, leaving them fresh and revitalized without the use of harsh chemicals.

Don’t Clean These With Ecover All Purpose Cleaner

While Ecover All Purpose Cleaner is versatile and can be used for various cleaning tasks I mentioned above, there are some items or surfaces for which it may not be suitable. Here are three things I tried and would not use Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to clean:

Natural Stone Surfaces: Ecover All Purpose Cleaner contains citric acid, which can potentially damage natural stone surfaces such as marble, granite, limestone, and travertine.

• The acidic nature of the cleaner may etch or dull the surface of these stones over time. It’s best to use a cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone surfaces.

Unfinished or Unsealed Wood: Using Ecover All Purpose Cleaner on unfinished or unsealed wood surfaces can cause damage, as the cleaner may penetrate the wood and cause warping, swelling, or discoloration.

• It’s advisable to use cleaners designed specifically for wood surfaces, such as wood cleaners or polishes.

Final Thoughts

Ecover all purpose cleaner is a all round cleaner that is typically used to clean hard floors and kitchen surfaces. There are more unusual uses for Ecover covered in this article such as cleaning upholstery, grout tile, kitchen appliances, and rugs and carpet.

Whilst Ecover is versatile i would avoid using it on stone and unfinished wood as it can stain and damage the surface. Ecover is a great bio-degradable, plant based, cruelty free product that can be used in the home and that is kind to the plant. You can purchase Ecover from online stores like Big Green Smile or Amazon.

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