Firstly, what on Earth is an Eco Egg?
It’s a laundry gadget designed to replace detergent and fabric softener, saving you money and saving the planet at the same time.
It consists of an egg-shaped recyclable container, which you fill with two types of mineral pellets (all supplied together). You can then buy replacement pellets to refill the container once they’re used up.
The small size Eco Egg is designed to last for 70 washes.
I ordered an Eco Egg from Amazon, and it was delivered the next day, so I popped it straight in with my next load of washing to find out what all the fuss was about. Could this egg-shaped gadget really change the way I wash my clothes?
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The smallest version of the Eco Egg is designed to last for up to 70 washes.
Pros
- It is safe for all fabric types, maintaining their quality.
- Easy to use by just popping into the washing machine.
- Designed for 70 washes, saving money on traditional detergents.
Cons
- Some users find it less effective on tough stains compared to traditional detergent.
How does the Eco Egg work?
Simply fill the egg-shaped container with the mineral pellets, and place inside your washing machine on top of the laundry. Then set your washing machine to its usual settings, and off you go.
It's simple to set up your Eco Egg:
• Click the button on the side, slide to line up the arrows, and open
• Hold the larger part upside down
• Pour in the packets of pellets - for the 70-wash size, it was three packets of white pellets, and one pack of black
• Click the two parts together again by lining up the arrows and twisting
The button on the side can be a bit tricky to open, but after a couple of uses it eases up. Do make sure you're holding the larger part of the egg when you fill it up - there are too many pellets to fit into the smaller part - I made this mistake, and they fell all over the floor.
The pellets are made from natural minerals - there are two types, white and black, and they are designed to effectively draw the dirt out from your clothes. The black ones are Tourmaline, which is a crystalline boron silicate mineral.
Eco Egg explains how the pellets work:
"The black tourmaline pellets weaken the adhesive force between the dirt and fabric whilst the white mineral pellets naturally ionize the oxygen molecules in the water, which helps to lift away dirt without fading colours. The pellets also change the pH of the water, which helps to naturally soften your laundry. These two pellets have been scientifically tested to work together to give optimum cleaning results removing the need for both laundry detergent and fabric softener."
Is the Eco Egg eco-friendly?
The simple answer is yes.
It replaces the need for lots of plastic bottles of detergent and fabric softener; plus, it contains no chemical ingredients. The Egg container is recyclable and suitable for wash after wash.
Plus, when my Eco Egg arrived, it was packaged in a simple recyclable cardboard box - and the bags containing the pellets are recyclable, too.
The company is passionate about being environmentally friendly and guarantees your Eco Egg for 10 years - that's a lot of washing. The Egg is also suitable for vegans.
Will the Eco Egg save me money?
We’ve worked out the costs based on the smallest Eco Egg, which is designed to last for 70 washes, and compared them against best-selling detergent and fabric softener.
(Prices taken from Amazon and correct at the time of writing).
Persil Non-Bio 1.995L (57 washes) costs £16.70 – which works out at 29p per wash.
Lenor Professional Fabric Conditioner Moonlight Harmony 4L(200 washes) costs £14.40 – which works out at 7p per wash.
Detergent and fabric softener together costs £15.41 for 70 washes, making the Eco Egg £3.42 cheaper. Given the price of the Eco Egg is more cost-effective when you buy a larger one, this means your savings will increase.
Note: it is recommended that you use the Eco Egg Detox tablets in your machine before you use your egg.
Does the Eco Egg get your laundry clean?
I’ll admit to being a sceptic when I was asked to test the Eco Egg. Could this little gadget really replace my normal detergent and fabric softener, and leave my clothes just as clean? It seemed too good to be true.
Tested: Everyday clothing and sheets
I have been pleasantly surprised to find my laundry just as clean after using the Eco Egg compared with my normal routine. There isn't anything exciting to report - it works just as you would hope it would - clean and soft clothing straight out of the washing machine.
However, I do miss the scent of a fabric softener. My Eco Egg leaves no noticeable scent, and I miss that – I miss the long-lasting whiff of floral tones on my washing as it sits in my wardrobe. I have found myself using a dash of fabric softener alongside the Eco Egg for my delicates and favourite clothing – but that’s a personal preference.
I tested the Fresh Linen version, so maybe when it's time to refill I'll buy the Spring Blossom version.
Note: You can use your normal fabric softener alongside the Eco Egg.
Tested: Stained clothing
I have a three-year-old toddler and a tree-surgeon husband, so most of my laundry is covered in one type of stain or another. Whether it's cherry juice, jam, chocolate, tree bark or conifer sap, there's usually something hanging around on our clothes.
But even with stains, everything has come out of the washing machine just as clean as it normally would. I was pretty amazed at this - getting my husband's work clothes clean is no mean feat.
The verdict
I’m always looking for more environmentally friendly options around the house and the fact that this could remove all the plastic that’s normally used for my laundry detergent over the years is ideal. The lack of harsh chemicals being released into the water system is a bonus. Plus, the Eco Egg is great for sensitive skin, being hypoallergenic too.
I am wondering whether it'll be obvious when the pellets need replacing - otherwise, I'll have to keep track of how many washes I've used it for (I don't know about you, but I don't generally count how many I do each week).
I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option for your laundry. There aren't really any downsides!
Where to buy the Eco Egg
The smallest version of the Eco Egg is designed to last for up to 70 washes.
Pros
- Designed for 70 washes, saving money on traditional detergents.
- Easy to use by just popping into the washing machine.
- It is safe for all fabric types, maintaining their quality.
Cons
- Some users find it less effective on tough stains compared to traditional detergent.
Eco Egg recommends you use these detox tablets in your washing machine before first using your Eco Egg laundry ball. This box contains three years' worth of tablets.
Pros
- They are eco-friendly, made with natural ingredients.
- They effectively eliminate odours.
- They work for both washing machines and dishwashers.
Cons
- These tablets may not be widely available in stores compared to other cleaners.
Invest in the fragrance-free 720 washes Eco Egg - this is aimed to last for three years, based on the average family's usage. That's a lot of plastic bottles of detergent you'll be saving.
Pros
- Designed for 720 washes, saving money on traditional detergents.
- No need for measuring or pouring detergent, just pop it in with your clothes.
- It's hypoallergenic, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Cons
- It is fragrance free, which some may not find appealing.