What are the benefits of Aware Sensitive and Aware Eco Choice laundry powders?

All ingredients in ‘Aware Eco Choice’ and ’Aware Sensitive’ laundry powder have been carefully selected for their minimal impact on our environment and human health. Giving a great wash at a great price, our laundry powders ensure your clothes will be clean and the environment green! Benefits include:

• Garden safe - independent tests show the grey water is safe to use on gardens
• No phosphates or petrochemicals – They contain only plant or mineral based ingredients which means that they are less toxic and biodegrade rapidly.
• Fully biodegradable unlike many other supermarket brands
• Low allergy – safe for people with allergies & chemical sensitivities
• Works in front or top loaders
• Highly concentrated which means better value for money
• Supports Planet Ark’s campaigns such as National Tree Day and the Plastic Bag Reduction campaign.

What is the difference between Aware Eco Choice laundry powder and Aware Sensitive laundry powder?

Aware Sensitive has been specifically formulated to be kind to people with sensitive skin or allergies. As these people often react to added fragrances (particularly synthetic varieties), Aware Sensitive Laundry Powder does not use a fragrance.

Aware Eco Choice contains low levels of a natural fragrance made from essential oils of Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and Pettigrain. Otherwise, the two products are the same.

I have sensitive and allergy prone skin. Are your products suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, they do not contain the ingredients implicated in triggering skin allergies - namely petrochemical detergents, optical brighteners or enzymes. In addition Aware Sensitive Laundry Powder doesn’t contain a fragrance (Aware Eco Choice contains a natural fragrance) and has been medically tested to be suitable.

There are 3 main ways that laundry products are implicated in skin problems. These are:

1. Optical brighteners (or fluorescers). These are synthetic chemicals that attach to your clothes, even after rinsing, and give an illusion of cleanliness by reflecting more light. They can cause skin irritation and trigger allergies.
2. Enzymes, like optical brighteners, may cause skin irritations and rashes.
3. The residue of fragrances (particularly those derived from petrochemicals) are also implicated in skin allergies and inhalation reactions

Where is Aware Eco Choice laundry powder available?

Aware Eco Choice Laundry Powder is available at most Coles, Woolworths & K-Mart stores nationally,(with the exception of very small stores such as Coles Express), selected Bi-Lo stores and some independent supermarkets and health food shops.

You can also buy it online at www.planetarkdirect.com

Where is Aware Sensitive laundry powder available?

Aware Sensitive Laundry Powder is available at Woolworths, larger Coles stores and K-Mart stores nationally and some independent supermarkets and health food shops.

You can also buy it online at www.planetarkdirect.com

I can’t find the laundry powder at Coles/Woolworths/K-Mart

If Aware is not in the store it is most likely to be an out of stock problem. We will follow up with our broker and ask them to check the store and get back to you re the closest location it is available

My supermarket doesn’t stock the laundry powders. What can I do?

If the supermarket is an independent (ex IGA or equivalent) ask to speak with the store manager and let him/her know that you would like the store to stock the laundry powder. The more people who ask, the better chance there is that the laundry powder will appear on your supermarket shelf.

You can also buy the laundry powders online at www.planetarkdirect.com

Can I use the laundry powder in any machine?

Yes, the laundry powders are suitable for front loaders and top loaders. In front loaders be sure to observe the dosage guidelines as they are much more sensitive due to the reduced amount of water they use.

What about water temperature?

You can use the laundry powders in either hot warm or cold water. But remember that using cold water where possible is better for the environment as it reduces energy consumption and also saves you money.

How will the laundry powders save me money?

Aware Eco Choice and Aware Sensitive Laundry Powder are reasonably priced and because they are concentrated, you only need to use a small amount per wash. This means that you can wash more loads per box. In fact, at less than 30 cents per wash, they are one of the least expensive laundry powders available.

What ingredients are used in Aware laundry powder?

All ingredients in both products have been carefully selected for their minimal impact to the environment and human health. The ingredients are:

• Plant oil based surfactants – the powerful cleaning surfactants (detergents) are made from coconut or palm kernel oils and sugar.
• Sodium citrate – this is derived from corn. It works in combination with Zeolite as a water softener.
• Zeolite mineral – this is a mineral which works in combination with citrate salt as an excellent water softener.
• Cellulose colloids – these materials are made from cotton and wood pulp and are soil-suspending agents that ensure efficient rinsing.
• Washing soda – made from salt and limestone, it helps to break up dirt and grease.

Aware laundry powder also contains botanical fragrance, a blend of non-irritating essential oils with a pleasant fresh, clean smell.

Do the products contain phosphates?

No. Phosphorus chemicals in conventional detergents feed blue-green algae and result in algae blooms. This contributes to the build up of weeds and algal slime in our waterways. These choke other precious aquatic life forms by using up the available oxygen.

Are the two products biodegradable?

Yes, our laundry powders have been formulated to have minimal environmental impact and we have had the entire product tested by an NATA accredited laboratory. The results showed that the entire product reached 100% biodegradability with 35 days.

This is in contrast with most other supermarket brand laundry products which only test the surfactants contained in their product. Surfactants usually comprise only between 10-20% of a laundry product.

Planet Ark believes it should be mandatory that all cleaning products are tested in entirety as used before manufacturers are able to state that they are biodegradable.

Are petrochemicals added?

No. Petrochemicals are generally slow to biodegrade and can cause allergic reactions. As well they are a non-renewable resource which are highly polluting in their extraction and transportation.

Our laundry powders are made with plant oil based surfactants instead of petroleum oil derived surfactants. These plant based detergents break down quickly into harmless substances and are made from a renewable resource. The petrochemicals used in other detergents are non-renewable resources which deplete the earth’s natural resources with every wash.

Why are the laundry powders concentrated?

Our laundry powders are concentrated products, so you only need to use a small amount per wash. This means that you can wash more loads per box, reducing packaging waste. This also means that fewer boxes have to be made and transported to stores, so transport fuel and the associated greenhouse gases are reduced.

What are the products packaged in?

The box itself is made from 85% recycled cardboard. It can be recycled once the box is empty, provided you have cardboard recycling services in your area. (If you’re uncertain about your local recycling services check out Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website.

The outer carton which the products are shipped in are also made from 100% recycled cardboard

What efforts are we taking to reduce the global warming impact of our laundry powders?

• Our laundry powders are manufactured using a method that requires minimal energy. The use of recycled cardboard for packaging also saves energy
• The energy our factory uses is powered by renewable energy sources such solar, wind and hydropower.
• Being concentrated it also requires less fuel for transportation.
• The laundry powder has also been formulated to give excellent results in cold-water washes, so less energy is required when you’re using it in your home.

Are the products free of animal ingredients?

Yes

Are the products cruelty free and non animal tested?

Yes

How are the funds raised from the sale of Aware laundry powder used?

The sale of Aware Laundry Powder helps to raise funds for Planet Ark’s environmental campaigns, including National Tree Day and recycling education programs. As well as supporting these campaigns, buying Aware Laundry Powder is a way that you can support us year-round. (Thank you!)

Can the wash water/grey water from “Aware Eco Choice” and “Aware Sensitive” be put onto gardens?

Yes, if you use Aware laundry powder, this grey water can be safely used to water your garden.The wash and rinse water of Aware Eco Choice and Aware Sensitive Laundry Powders were independently tested by Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory for their suitability for use in irrigation (including garden watering). The independent testing resulted in the following key points and recommendations:

• Aware concentrates contain no phosphates so will not contribute to phosphate pollution of soil and waterways.
• Being phosphate-free laundry powders, their grey water was found to be suitable for phosphorus-sensitive native plants
• Sodium levels in the wash water are suitable even for salt sensitive plants. When using wash waters be aware that salts can accumulate in soil by the evaporation of water, leaving the salt behind.

How do I use grey water on my garden?

Make sure when you pour the wash water onto the garden that you also put the rinse water over the same area to give it a good soaking. Rotate the discharge around the garden with a cycle of not less than one week. It is better not to splash the plants but to pour directly onto the soil. Make sure your garden area is large enough to contain it on your property and not onto your neighbours unless you have permission. Do not discharge when it is raining or the soil is still wet because the excess could flow into the storm water system which is undesirable. Also check with the council for policy advice.

Planet Ark have a comprehensive grey water guide. This can be obtained free of charge by ringing our call centre on 1300 731 781 or downloaded at www.planetark.com/greywater

Are the products septic safe?

Yes, the laundry powders break down into harmless matter quickly, making them safe for septic and bio-treatment systems.

Are the products Australian Made & Owned?

Yes they are. Some of the raw materials are not made in Australia so they must be sourced from overseas.

Do the products contain fillers?

No we only use the ingredients necessary to produce a good wash.

Are there any enzymes in the products?

No

Do the products have any bleach?

No

The powder doesn’t dissolve properly and leaves clumps of residue in my front-loading washing machine. What can I do?

Check that you are using the correct amount – you only need to use a small amount as the product is concentrated. See the pack for details.

I am concerned about Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate and Ammonium Laureth Sulphate as derivatives of palm oil (and SLS and SLES). Are they in Aware washing powder and can you give me some information on them?

The main surfactant (detergent) in Aware is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). We use this detergent because it is made from palm or coconut oil and is one of very few natural surfactants cheap enough to use in cleaning products. There are a number of "softer" natural detergents which are used in cosmetics and hair care products but these are far too expensive for cleaning products.

We understand there is some alarm that has been generated about these compounds which we believe is unfounded. In terms of skin irritancy it is on a par with soap (sodium talloate, sodium cocoate etc) which most people still use quite happily each day. All surfactants dry out the skin because they take out oils and react with keratin(skin protection). All also to varying degrees react with other organs such as eyes or noses. As a general rule it is best to reduce exposure to all surfactants.

In the case of Aware, exposure is at a very low level even after poor rinsing. The concentration in the wash water is 1 part per 1000. After rinsing residual traces would probably be no more than 1 part per million. Compare this SLS in shampoos, bubble baths, or tooth paste where exposure is direct at 1 part per 50-100.

Once the box is opened, it cannot be sealed again. Would it be possible to put another couple of cm of cardboard on the inside near the top of the box, which would allow the lid to seal on it?

We have gone to this pack design to save cardboard. Our previous pack had an inside layer of board which did make it easier to close the lid but for environmental and cost benefits we had a pack designed to avoid the extra inside layer. We suggest that if you want to close the lid all you need to do is push the top of the box inside the bottom of the pack. It will not look pretty because the lid is on an angle but it will allow you close the box.

Why can’t I buy it in a 3 kg box so that I would be saving space at the landfill as well as helping the environment in other ways?

We have discussed supplying supermarkets with larger packs but to date we have been unsuccessful but we will keep on trying. In other words it’s not up to us but it’s what the supermarkets want.

What is the PH of the laundry powders?

The PH of Aware is 10.7

Are they suitable for washing woolens?

Ideally for washing woollens a pH closer to 7 or neutral is preferable. As Aware has a PH of 10.7 the product is not suitable for washing woollens.