Overall Rating:
4.80/5
Ease Of Use = 4.8
Value For Money = 4.7
Range of Products = 4.8
Effectiveness = 5.0
PROS:
- 100% naturally derived & plant-based ingredients
- Sustainable packaging
- Safe for septic tanks
- Excellent performance
CONS:
- 5l refills not part of closed loop system
Cleaning is a chore that we can’t avoid. But we can avoid harsh chemicals by opting for eco-friendly cleaners. Here I look at Bio D’s cleaning products.
Ever since I have created a sustainable cleaning routine, I’m looking for eco-friendly cleaners that work but are also free from nasty chemicals that harm us and the environment.
The thing is, most of the common cleaners you can buy contain harmful chemicals that impact on our environment. By choosing eco-friendly alternatives we can keep our homes clean without the environmental impact.
In my Bio D cleaning products review I share my experience with these cleaners with you, so you can make a decision easily and without the guesswork.
Who Are Bio D?
But let’s start with introducing the company to make sure it’s the kind of business you want to support. For me it’s important to not buy from some faceless corporation, but a small business that has values that align with my own.
Bio D was founded in 1989 and is based in Hull, where they make all their products. I know Hull well, as my husband was born and grew up there. So I’m very pleased to have found a company that makes eco-friendly products in this city.
The business was created based on the belief that cleaners should be effective, but without harming us or the planet. One of the co-founders used to work in ship maintenance, where he cleaned ships with very harsh chemicals, for which he had to use protective equipment.
Naturally Derived & Plant-Based Ingredients
Imagine the shock when he found out that many of those same chemicals were found in household cleaners. So he decided to change that and create products that are only made from naturally derived and plant-based ingredients. By the way, this also makes them safe for septic tanks.
But their focus on sustainability doesn’t end there. It’s at the heart of everything they do. Their premises are solar powered, reducing their carbon footprint.
Their aim is to create a greener future with their business, so every decision Bio D takes takes our environment into account. Like with their packaging.
Recycled Plastic Packaging
They only use packing that’s recyclable, refillable, or biodegradable, so there is no waste. And their plastic bottles are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, which can be recycled again.
For their 20l refills they even created a closed loop system. You can return them for free to them, so they can clean and refill them. This circular system is brilliant and should be adopted by every company.
It’s just a shame that their smaller, 5l refills aren’t included in the scheme. I would love to see that they too can be returned for refilling.
But apart from that, Bio D is doing a great job and that’s why I love to support them.
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Huge Choice
The first thing you notice when you go on their website is that they offer a huge choice of cleaning products, including:
- Laundry products
- Dishwashing products
- Kitchen cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- All purpose sanitiser
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Mirror cleaner
- Toilet cleaner
- Garden cleaner
I don’t tend to use many of these different products, as I’m trying to keep it simple. But I know that many people use them, so it’s good to know they can choose a sustainable alternative to the traditional ones with harsh chemicals.
What I Tried And Tested
To ensure that I get a good feel of their products, I decided to try a selection that suits my needs:
- Laundry products
- Dishwasher tablets
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Toilet cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Handwash
These are all products that I use in my daily sustainable cleaning routine. Let’s see how they performed.
Excellent Results
This is probably the most important part of my Bio D cleaning products review, because unless they are effective, you won’t want to switch to them, right?
Spoiler alert: they all performed brilliantly, but let’s look at each of them in more detail so you have all the information you need to make your own decision.
Laundry Products
From their laundry offering I tried pretty much most of it: the liquid laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, stain remover soap, and oxygen-based laundry bleach.
I normally use a paste made of water and bicarbonate of soda to remove stains, but thought I’ll give the soap a go, to see if it could make my life easier. The laundry bleach is something I never tried before, but wanted to see if it’s worth getting.
And I have to say, I was really impresses with the performance of all these laundry products. My clothes came out clean and smelling fresh, with the scent staying on the laundry for a few days.
If you want to know more, read my full Bio D laundry products review.
Dishwasher Tablets
I have had mixed experiences with eco-friendly dishwasher tablets, with some working great, while others not so much. The good news is, the Bio D dishwasher tablets are in the group that did well.
Everything came out clean, even tea stains aren’t an issue. Glasses and cutlery is streak free and burnt on food is also no issue.
The dishwasher tablets are wrapped in a polyvinyl alcohol (POV) film, which isn’t ideal, because there are some questions around its biodegradability. However, Bio D states on their website that the grade of POV they use has been independently verified to be biodegradable.
Give their green credentials, I have no reason to doubt this, so I’m happy with the dishwasher tablets and would use them again.
Space-Saving Size
One thing I love about these dishwasher tablets, apart from that they work great, is that they are smaller than any I’ve used before, saving space in my under-the-sink cupboard.
I bought the 200x pieces box, which takes up less space than the box of the previous dishwasher tablet brand with only 70 tabs in it. This is great, because it makes my cupboard less crowded and easier to keep tidy.
Of course, buying a bigger quantity also saves money, as bulk buying normally does. It reduces the price per tablet from 26p to 21p, which is not a bad reduction. (correct at time of writing)
Multi-Surface Cleaner
I don’t use specialist cleaners like bathroom, kitchen, or window cleaners. Instead I opt for multi-purpose cleaners that can be used for all these areas. So I decided to test Bio D’s multi-surface cleaner.
It comes in concentrated form, which means you only need a little bit, which makes it great value for money. And it’s very effective at cleaning all sorts of things, including my glass hob, kitchen and bathroom sink.
My only complaint would be that it’s not a spray, as this would make it easier. It’s a gel that you put on the surface or cleaning cloth, clean and then wipe. But they do offer an all-purpose sanitiser spray, which would be an alternative.
Floor Cleaner
Another concentrated product, so you don’t need to use much at all. A small amount in a regular mop bucket does the job.
It cleans my floors very well, despite not containing any harsh chemicals, which is just wonderful. My kitchen floor sparkles and my bathroom floors are shiny.
There is a subtle scent of lemon, which makes the room feel fresh. However, it doesn’t stay around for long. But that’s ok, because it shows that no synthetic fragrances have been used.
I love that the floor cleaner is made from 100% naturally derived ingredients, as we have cats and one always manage to sneak in and walk on the freshly mopped floor.
Toilet Cleaner
We live in a very hard water area, so we need a good toilet cleaner to keep our loo clean. I’ve tried many a sustainable toilet cleaner that didn’t seem up to the task.
But I’m pleased to say that the Bio D toilet cleaner is different. It leaves our toilet bowl sparkling and removes any signs of limescale that might harbour germs or dirt.
At the same time, it leaves a subtle scent of pine and cedarwood, which I love. They do also have a fragrance-free version, if you prefer.
Handwash
The best thing about the Bio D handwash is that you don’t need much at all. Even a very small amount is enough to wash your hands. This means it will last longer than other handwash bottles and therefore is better value for money.
It’s thinner than most other products I have used, but it lathers up very well. I first tried the scent Yorkshire Rhubarb, which smelled lovely. But because both my husband and I tend to have dry hands, I switched to the Lime and Aloe Vera one, as it is moisturising.
I bought a 5l refill bottle to save money and save on packaging, and just refill the dispensers we already have.
Contains SLES
One ingredient I was surprised to see was Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), as it’s associated with a negative environmental impact. However, that’s down to the fact that it can be derived from petroleum, making it an unsustainable ingredients.
But it can also be derived from plant-based sources, such as coconut oil. And as Bio D clearly state on their website they only use naturally derived, and plant-based ingredients, there is no reason to believe the SLES they use is fossil fuel-derived.
So don’t worry if you see this ingredient on the list, as it won’t harm our planet in this case.
Refills Are Great Value For Money
Bio D offers all their liquid products as refill options, which reduces the price as well as the packaging. Bulk buying is one way to get better value for money, if you have the space to store it.
But even if not, the Bio D products are reasonably priced and aren’t more expensive than most branded cleaning products. But I would highly recommend to take advantage of their refill options, because it saves money and packaging.
Especially if you can accommodate the 20l bottles, as they can be sent back to be cleaned and refilled, which is great. Unfortunately we don’t have the space, so opted for the 5l refills.
It’s Not Just About Money
So while Bio D cleaning products are affordable, this isn’t all that counts for me when it comes to value for money. You get effective products that do what they are supposed to do like with other cleaners.
But on top of that, you also get products that don’t contain any harsh, harmful, or toxic ingredients. You don’t contribute to the plastic waste problem, because their packaging is either plastic-free, or made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and recyclable again.
And you are supporting a small, homegrown business that puts the environment, and with that us, at the heart of all they do. For me, this is immense value for money.
Verdict Of My Bio D Cleaning Products Review
I’m very much impressed with Bio D’s cleaning products and can really recommend them. If you want to switch to eco-friendly cleaners, these are a great option.
The offer cleaning power without the harsh chemicals at a price that is affordable. Their range is extensive enough to meet any of your cleaning needs.
With refill options, you can reduce your packaging waste and contribute to a closed loop return scheme that eliminates waste.
If you’re considering switching to these products, go ahead. You won’t regret it.
