How do I use the Simply Laundry SoftTabs®?
Using the SoftTabs® is as easy as can be! For best results refer to the "How many SoftTabs® to use" panel on the side of the tub and simply take the required number of SoftTabs® out of the attractive, recyclable Simply tub and put it/them straight in to the back of your drum before your washing. Alternatively, you can place the SoftTabs® directly into your soap dispenser drawer but some modern machines use very little water so this may not work for you. Either way, the outer film dissolves immediately on contact with water and is in fact an important part of the washing and rinsing process! How clever is that?
If you have any queries about using Simply, or if you just want a chat about your laundry, simply call us on 0800 107 3454 - we'll pay for the call and be happy to help!
How does it work?
The unique, patented sachet dissolves instantly on contact with water and begins to wash your clothes immediately so that they spend a longer time in the washing process actually being cleaned. The result? Cleaner clothes with no wasted water or electricity.
During the wash, oxygen-based cleaning agents are time-released ensuring they tackle stains throughout the cycle. Simply Active, our bio version of Simply Laundry uses clever little enzymes to dissolve those tough protein-based stains like blood and food.
All Simply Laundry's ingredients dissolve completely to ensure there is absolutely no residue left on your clothes after rinsing. This "free rinsing" effect ensures laundry is as clean as can be.
What's the difference between Simply Laundry and my regular washing powder?
Simply Laundry is a concentrated formula designed to dissolve quickly creating the optimum washing solution for the whole of the washing cycle.
Interestingly, an average washing machine takes just 15 minutes to wash your clothes before starting its rinse and spin cycles; and when you consider that conventional detergent tablets can take up to seven minutes to dissolve fully, that means less time washing your clothes. What a waste of time and resource!
Simply Laundry dissolves in less than a minute and keeps on cleaning throughout the whole wash cycle. Yet the stringent EU Eco-label tests show Simply Laundry's patented formulation completely rinses away leaving only clean clothes and a fantastic fragrance.
Remember, many conventional washing powders contain unnecessary bulking agents put there to make you think you're getting value for money. All it really means is more ‘dirty' waste released into our rivers and waterways and a larger carbon footprint to boot!
Is Simply Laundry biodegradable?
Every single ingredient in our eco-smart washing system is biodegradable so Simply Sensitive and Simply Active place the smallest possible burden on the environment. It'll come as no great surprise therefore that Simply Laundry is the first UK-manufactured laundry product to be awarded the highly prized EU Eco-label, which is managed by the Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
How can Simply Laundry be as effective as conventional washing products, and be environmentally friendly?
This is where it all gets a bit ‘sciencey'...
...surfactants are molecules which do the cleaning and stop dirt from being put back on your clothes during the wash. The surfactants used in the Simply Laundry range are carefully selected to ensure anaerobic and aerobic biodegradability - which is a good thing! It means they break down rapidly into harmless substances in the environment and don't harm our rivers or oceans.
The Simply Laundry wash system produces natural sanitisers as part of its unique patented wash system. We love these sanitisers as they also mean highly effective washing even at low temperatures in hard or soft water with the added bonus that they help kill harmful and smelly bacteria. Plus, along with all our other ingredients, the sanitisers break down rapidly into environmentally friendly residues.
What does the Eco-label actually mean?
The EU Eco-label [DHM1] is the ultimate award for eco-friendly products. It is backed by DEFRA and although many products are tested, few are good enough to actually be awarded the Eco-label.
The overall aim of the EU Eco-label is to create a better, safer world for us all:
- Better because the EU Eco-label is only awarded to goods and services which meet very strict criteria restricting the impact of consumer products on the environment.
- Safer because the criteria are devised to minimise harm from chemicals to the environment.
Products awarded the Eco-label are independently certified to prove that they are green and that they perform as well, if not better, than leading brands.
We are enormously proud to have been awarded the Eco-label for our laundry products and we're sure you'll be just as proud when you use them.
Why does Simply Laundry use phosphates?
Phosphates are naturally-occurring minerals found in all living things. They are used in laundry detergents as ‘builders’ – their job is to soften the water to help the detergent wash better and hold the dirt in the water to prevent it settling back on the clothes.
Some people think phosphates are harmful to the environment and some manufacturers choose to use synthetic phosphate substitutes which are similar to plastics or acrylics. We at Simply have spent a great deal of time considering the greenest and best formulations for our detergents and we strongly believe that using phosphates is actually better for the environment than using synthetic substitutes because:
· FACT - Phosphate substitutes are more damaging to micro-organisms than phosphate-based formulations.
· FACT - Phosphate substitutes increase the amount of sludge that is created during the water treatment process - sludge which then has to go to landfill.
· FACT - Phosphate substitutes discharge more organic material than phosphate-based formulations and therefore demand more oxygen to degrade, increasing the environmental impact.
· FACT - Phosphate substitutes can’t be recycled or re-used - but phosphates can.
We have based our thinking on two important scientific Life Cycle Analysis studies 1 2 which addressed the environmental impact of both phosphate and phosphate substitutes throughout their entire lifecycle: production, use and disposal. Their findings were unanimous - under all modelled conditions, phosphates are the best environmental choice.
In addition, because Simply is highly concentrated, washing with Simply only uses half of the phosphates that washing with a big box powder would and using SoftTabs ensures that you use exactly the right amount of detergent.
Contrary to what some people think, modern waste treatment plants are highly effective at removing phosphates from waste water and therefore phosphates have very little impact on our waterways. In fact, the vast bulk of phosphates find their way into waterways through agricultural fertilisers. Interestingly, phosphate is one of the few materials that can be harvested from waste water and recycled, making the life cycle energy impact very low compared to alternatives.
All great reasons to choose Simply if you really want an environmentally responsible alternative!
1 The Swedish Phosphate Report, Landmark Environmental & Consulting, 1995.2 The Environmental and Economic Impact of Key Detergent Builder Systems in the European Union, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 1994.
Does Simply Active have more chemicals in it than Simply Sensitive?
The ingredients of each product are slightly different, but fundamentally Simply Active contains an enzyme blend which gives the "biological" action that many customers require. Both products have been independently dermatologically tested. Simply Sensitive doesn't contain enzymes and is perfect for sensitive skin - but rest assured, both clean brilliantly, "free rinse" and have been awarded the EU Eco-label.
What does 'Perfume' mean - does Simply Laundry include artificial fragrances?
Many modern detergents and fabric softeners are often heavily perfumed. Simply Active and Simply Sensitive contain a small amount of high quality, light perfume to give a pleasant rather than dominant or masking odour. This perfume has been specially blended just for us to meet the strict requirements of the Eco-label standard.
Does Simply Laundry work on non-colourfast clothing?
Non-colourfast clothes will release dye even into plain water and as with all laundry detergents there would be dye transfer between coloured and non-coloured items in the same solution. So to avoid colour running, it's best to take out any items you think may run and wash them separately at the lowest possible temperature and shortest cycle.
I want to buy a green washing product but they always cost so much more, don't they?
It's true that most laundry detergents promoting themselves as being 'green' can cost up to twice as much as normal washing powders.
We pride ourselves on being able to offer you a true green wash for the same price as traditional market leaders - and one which performs just as well, if not better!
With Simply Laundry you don’t have to make any compromises on cost or performance. We are the same price as leading non-eco brands and cost substantially less than Ecover – the big difference is that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, that’s how confident we are you’ll love the Simply Laundry range
What effects does Simply Laundry have on the environment when it leaves my washing machine?
We are all becoming more aware of the burden we place on the environment and although we don't see it, waste water from our washing machines can find its way into our rivers, streams and oceans. So it is vital that we all consider carefully the washing products we use and their effect on the environment.
The most important environmental measurement for laundry products is called the CDV (critical dilution volume) test. During this laboratory test, scientists measure how much water is needed for the laundry detergent formulation to have no traceable environmental impact.
To pass the stringent Eco-label standard, a product must have no effect in a maximum of 4,500 litres of water. Aquados Simply was found to have a CDV that is 70% better than the already stringent Eco-label standard!
In short, Simply biodegrades to nothing soon after leaving your washing machine meaning that you can rest assured you're not harming the environment with your waste water.
Saving water makes good environmental sense and there are areas where we can all save water during our day to day lives. How much water do we use? Well, here's a rough guide to how much water we use on our everyday tasks:
- washing hands and face : 9 litres
- brushing teeth : 1 litre
- having a bath : 80 litres
- having a shower : 35 litres
- flushing the toilet : 8 litres
- On average we consume 150 litres each per day (155 in London), which amounts to 2 baths full of water!
We'd be very interested to hear how you save water at home or at work. Write and let us know your water saving tips at: Helping Save the Planet, Aquados Ltd, PO BOX 139, Castleford, WF6 1UT
Has the Simply range of products been tested on animals?
No! Our products have not been, nor ever will be, tested on animals. Period.
Is the packaging and paper used in the Simply tubs 100% recyclable?
Like you, we really hate landfill so all Simply tubs are 100% reusable and recyclable. Not only that, the Simply in-tub leaflets are printed on recycled paper and are also 100% recyclable.
Not many manufacturers can say that!
