Chocolate Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 A quick reply please, if possible. I understand that all clothes washing powders and liquids here in France are non-biological. Does anyone know the brand name of a biological clothes washing powder or liquid that I can easily buy from, for example, a local supermarket?We have a fosse-septique and use all the correct cleaners throughout the house but this is for the oven of all things. I know of nothing better than a hot biological solution to easily clean the shelves. I always did this in England and the rest of this oven is self-cleaning. I do not intend to dispose of the biological dirty water into a water course or down a drain and I am speaking of perhaps a large bowl-ful at a time. I can easily empty the water up on the top field where we burn, when allowed, our bonfires, so no harm done.If they don't exist, then perhaps I can catch my daughter before she flies over here next week and she will be able to bring me a small box of powder. Hope 'They' don't think she is carrying an illegal substance in her hold bag!!Thank you in advance anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Actually, most washing powders and liquids that I have looked at in France have been "biological" in the UK sense - ie they contain enzymes. Not many were non-bio.RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 The same enzymes that breakdown stuff in the fosse I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Âme Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Could this be a translation confusion?As I understand it, in french 'bio' means 'organic.' Most of the clothes washing powders/liquids in the supermarket are not 'bio', meaning that they are not organic/green/eco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Sorry. I meant as in 'Persil Bio' etc. A powder or liquid that is generally understood to contain enzymes that 'eat' food/blood/mud etc stains on clothing and can, or might not, also contain bleach. It usually cannot be used by people with sensitive skins who must use 'non-bio' washing powder. It is actually called 'Biological Washing Powder' as I remember somewhere in its title on the box. There is also a 'Non-Biological' version on the shelves for those who are sensitive to the enzymes and will come out in a rash or eczema if their clothes are washed in the 'Biological' version.( I had made a mental connection with the sachets of powder that we put down the loo once a week, but thought that one would cause problems to the functioning of the other. Many years ago when on holiday in a cottage in Cornwell we were instructed not to use a biological washing powder in the washing machine as it would 'upset the friendly bugs' the owners had put in the Septic Tank. )I don't mean 'organic' or 'green' or 'ecological' though if it causes problems to the friendly bugs in the fosse septique, that is the reason, I thought, that it was not on sale here and also that I would dispose of it in a way so as not to harm natural watercourses, streams etc. I am sure I was told on arrival in France that biological washing powders were never sold here. Perhaps another myth in circulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Pickles is right most of the French brands contain the Persil Bio type enzymes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Sorry. Just a thought. Pickles, where does it state on the boxes or bottles that it is a Biological Washing Powder or Liquid please? I feel very stupid if it has been there in front of my nose all along! Am I looking for a particular phrase or wording? Thank you for the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Ooops! Cross-over posts!In that case, what do the 'sensitive souls' use please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 [quote user="Chocolate"]this is for the oven. I know of nothing better than a hot biological solution to easily clean the shelves. I always did this in England and the rest of this oven is self-cleaning.[/quote]Soda crystals + very hot water (+ gloves) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 [quote user="Chocolate"]In that case, what do the 'sensitive souls' use please?[/quote]We use stuff for 'peau sensible' for the family who visit who suffer from excema etc.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 [quote user="Chocolate"]Ooops! Cross-over posts!In that case, what do the 'sensitive souls' use please?[/quote]The sensitive souls make their wives do the washing and clean the oven [6]I had a specialist cleaning company clean my oven in the Uk after the departure of some particularly odious tenants, the girl removed most of the oven linings and put them in a dip tank heated by a gas cylinder whilst she attacked the remaining carbonised deposits with a safety razor.I was intigued by what chemicals or detergents were used in the tank, it was nothing but boiling hot water, after half an hour or so everything emerged clean.I used to use biological (enzyme) powders for cleaning engine and underbonnet parts especially plastic ducting etc when restoring cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 [quote user="Chocolate"]Sorry. Just a thought. Pickles, where does it state on the boxes or bottles that it is a Biological Washing Powder or Liquid please? I feel very stupid if it has been there in front of my nose all along! Am I looking for a particular phrase or wording? [/quote]I think that on the label under "contents", I just look for the words "enzyme", "proteinase" or "agents enzymatiques". Ariel's is called "carenzyme" As sensitive souls, we buy the variants that don't have enzymes in them - Le Chat produces one and probably Le Petit Marseillaise.RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 We use Ecover products, but find they are very expensive in France. So that's something that goes in the car when it comes down and we keep it stored in the garage.By the way, I found 'Biological clothes' that shows as the title intruigeing!Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Daughter suffers from the use of biological powders and as she is about to visit, I know what to wash her and the oven in !!I shall take myself, and my 'Biological clothes' off to get sorted.Thank you one and all for the very helpful info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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