Plant-based prizefight: can green really clean?

Our resident detergent tester Jes is putting two supermarket detergents head-to-head in a fight to crown the ultimate plant-based champion. In the red corner is Ecostore Ultra Power 3-in-1 Laundry Powder and in the blue, Earthwise Ultra Laundry Powder.

With similar names, similar pricing, and similar suggested doses, they are certainly competing for the same market share.

Although both brands have a large presence in Australia, these specific product variants are currently only available in their island homeland of New Zealand.

The playbook

When it comes to their packaging, these detergents go toe-to-toe. Both come in plastic-free, recyclable cardboard boxes. Their dosages are also in tablespoons for ease of use, since they don’t include plastic or cardboard scoops.

At NZ$16 per 2kg, Ecostore is the more expensive option of the two. The listed dosage for a standard load of laundry in a front loader is 1 tablespoon (15g), increasing to 2 tablespoons (30g) for a heavily soiled load. 

Earthwise weighs in at NZ$14.60 for 2kg. The listed dosage for a normal load is 2 tablespoons (30g), with no suggestion for large or heavily soiled loads.

In both cases, this is a very optimistic amount of detergent, especially when heavyweights like Persil recommend using twice as much. 

Fragrance is mild for both detergents. Ecostore had very minimal fragrance, and Earthwise was almost undetectable after the load has been dried. This was a nice change from most plant-based detergents, which are heavily fragranced (I’m looking at you, Earthwise Floral Fields Liquid Detergent).

Both formulas contain multiple enzymes and oxygen bleach, giving them good stain removal potential. For surfactants, Ecostore includes three and Earthwise only one. On paper, it’s shaping up as a fair fight.

* No bleach activator is listed; however, this detergent works well at 40ºC, indicating there is some form of activator.

Coach’s corner

We’ve talked a lot lately about what makes a good detergent. For both plant-based and petroleum-based detergents, we suggest looking for a detergent that contains multiple surfactants and enzymes. In theory, the more, the better, since such combined ingredients will target a larger range of soiling and stains. However, it’s not as simple as throwing everything into a container and shaking it around. The efficacy of these ingredients matters too.

We’ve tested many detergents that looked promising on paper but failed to deliver. Some behave more like a bunch of kids crammed inside a trenchcoat than a fully grown effective detergent. 

The showdown 🥊

This is a real-world test, designed to mimic the type of laundry our members deal with daily. To give a fair comparison, I tested both detergents in my household under the same conditions. Laundry included a toddler in toilet training and grimy outdoor clothes. 

My standard routine is to wash heavily soiled laundry just like I would nappies: a short warm first wash followed by a longer warm main wash. I based the initial main wash dose on the heavily soiled dose on the packaging and halved it for the first wash.

Ecostore started with a three-point combo: ‘safer for you’, ‘safer for our oceans’ and ‘create a healthier world and a better tomorrow’. Earthwise swung back with a one-two punch: ‘eco made logical’ and ‘same great clean as everyday household brands’. Will these slogans land, or are they simply empty platitudes?

A few rounds in and Ecostore was floundering. Every wash needed significantly more detergent than listed. To get suds, I needed 3 tablespoons in a small first wash and 8 tablespoons (½ metric cup) in a main wash. I have very soft water and normally get suds very easily when using powder. Even after quadrupling the detergent dose and bumping the wash temperature for both cycles to 60°C, I still had marks and stains on the clothing. 

Earthwise countered with a knockout right hook. What it lacked in variety of surfactants, it made up for in the quality and efficacy of the one it did have. It brings a more-than-acceptable clean at 40°C and an excellent one at 60°C.

Two tablespoons is a great first wash dose. I found 3 tablespoons worked well for main wash and general laundry, occasionally 4 for those more heavily soiled loads. 

The only marks I had left after a 60°C wash were an oil stain from baklava that my toddler appeared to have rolled in, as opposed to eating it like any other person would. This is not a stain that I would expect to come out without pretreating with bar soap, so I wouldn’t count it as a mark against Earthwise.

So far, Earthwise’s performance is matching that of mainstream, petrochemical-based laundry powders. Henkel absolutely read the playbook and is set to bring home the trophy.

Final bell

Unfortunately, despite containing multiple surfactants, enzymes and oxygen bleach, Ecostore didn’t make it past the first round. This detergent was down for the count before testing finished. I would love to see it reformulated with stronger plant-based surfactants to really send the grime packing.  

Earthwise absolutely takes the win here. 🏆 It brings knockout stain removal. This is a top-quality, reliable plant-based detergent that is easily available and CHEAPER than the vast majority of other plant-based products on the market. 

Post-match analysis

This is a massive win for Earthwise, and it should be celebrated! 🎊 I am stoked that we finally have an affordable, effective plant-based detergent. I hope that it will be available in Australia soon, because this is too good a detergent to gate-keep here in NZ.

Earthwise has shown us that plant-based doesn’t have to mean sub-par, low waste doesn’t have to mean low quality, and sustainable doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket.