Plastic Free Sustainable Living With Ethique Concentrates
Snap. Pour. Whisk. Dollop.
The Ethique Concentrate range launched two months ago. Time Magazine has already praised it and given the range a special mention in their annual ‘The 100 Best Inventions of 2020” list and I’ve already used up several of the products because they’re so. freaking. good.
The concentrates ask us to #rethinkrefillables. They’re for people who don’t want to be part of the approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced annually statistic, who may not like using bars to wash their hair or moisturise their skin, but still want quality, sustainable household products to clean their bodies and homes!
I’ve been using Ethique’s concentrate bars since before they even launched, I’ve interviewed the founder of Ethique to find out more about them, and I’ve been on the receiving end of all your questions during the launch of this new and innovative concept.
Here’s all you need to know about Ethique’s concentrate bars and why I know they’ll be a staple addition to your home.
What the heck is a concentrate and why would I use it?
Only 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled, and the products in them are typically made up of 70-95% water. But we get it, not everyone likes bars. - Ethique.
The Ethique Concentrate bars are highly concentrated with little to no water, like the rest of their range. But these have been specifically formulated to turn into liquid. Each bar is shaped in a way that’s easy for you to snap into smaller pieces and make up (more on ‘how to make’ soon). The purpose is to avoid selling people water (which also avoids the carbon emissions of shipping water all over the globe), escape the need for a plastic bottle, and help those who don’t like bars or don’t have access to refill stores.
You’d use an Ethique Concentrate to look after the planet. You’d use an Ethique Concentrate to look after your body. And you’d use an Ethique Concentrate so that every time you wash your hands you go ‘oooh’ in response to the gorgeous smell.
You’d use an Ethique concentrate to…
Wash your hair
Wash your body
Moisturise your body
Wash your hands
Clean your kitchen bench
Clean your bathroom
And soon… wash your dishes
You can find the entire range here.
How do I make them?
Snap. Pour. Whisk. Dollop.
Simply snap the bars into little pieces, and place them in a heat-proof bowl
Pour boiling water over the bars (usually 300mls, but read the instructions for each product!)
Whisk until melted
Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes
Pour into your desired bottle and leave to cool for longer
Use as normal
What do I store it in?
The world is your oyster. My moisturiser is in a glass jar. My body wash too (if your body wash sits up high, best to be stored in a reused plastic container). My cleaning spray is in a plastic bottle an old flatmate left behind and never collected, and when my dishwashing liquid runs out, I’ll simply refill the bottle with the Ethique Dishwashing Liquid Concentrate.
GET CREATIVE. A tea pot? A wine bottle? Use whatever you can hygienically clean and use practically to apply the product. There are already enough vessels in the world, so Ethique have thoughtfully opted against selling their own branded bottles.
The best bottle is the one you already own.
What’s in them?
Each product is made with the same brilliant Ethique ethics that the universe knows and loves. I say universe, because Ethique are stocked in most continents.
Their ingredients are fair trade, sustainably sourced and naturally derived. Home compostable packaging, cruelty-free, palm oil free, vegan, climate neutral, and B-Corp certified are other accreditations they hold and support proudly.
Ethique aren’t a company who’ll sell you products and then continue on their way. 20% of annual profits is donated to charity and they continue to educate and inspire people to live more sustainably in all aspects of their lives.
Ethique is certified carbon neutral and working towards being carbon-positive. In my opinion, they’re the type of business all other businesses should be using as a role model. Ethique have thought of everything, and if they haven’t, they’re the first to explain what they’re working towards, rather than greenwash their way through it.
I respect that.
Frequent mistakes & questions
The world is used to beauty and cleaning products that come in liquid form, stored in bottles. So, it’s no wonder the questions are flooding in ! To help you learn from others, here are a few pointers before you try them yourself:
Only add water to the Ethique Concentrate range: the other products are not designed to be added to water - the concentrates have been carefully formulated to be safe to use as a liquid.
Lumps forming in the mixture? Grab your whisk or fork and keep on stirring them together. If your liquid cools and still has lumps, try adding a small amount of boiling water to work the product together (I personally don’t mind a few lumps in my moisturiser as it rubs in when I use it).
When you’re making the conditioner or lotion, remember the product will thicken as it cools.
The concentrate products will last approximately 6 months once made up.
Use ALL of the bar in the box.
Follow the instructions carefully: do not add more or less water unless you’re adding a tiny bit more water to minimise lumps in your lotion.
The concentrate range is growing, with new products set to launch in the New Year! Watch this space.
Shop the Ethique Concentrates Range HERE.
As a rule, I only work with brands I love, use, and can whole heartedly back. This is a sponsored blog (I can't pay my electricity bill with free products), but 100% my own words, photos, and opinion.