At EcoVibe we’re passionate about bringing you top quality products from eco-friendly brands. That’s why we are super excited to introduce you to neat. They realised that huge amounts of water were being shipped around the world each year, wasting fuel and increasing carbon footprints, and they wanted to change that. So they’ve created a range of cleaning products that are served neat.
In just one year, if we all switched to neat from cleaning products in single-use plastic bottles we could save 20,238 tonnes of plastic, the weight of 4,000 full-sized elephants and 522 million litres of water, 208 Olympic sized swimming pools. Like us, they believe that if we make small changes, together we can make a massive difference.
We recently got to know their founders, asking for insights into how the idea for neat. came about and what their plans for the future are. We’ll also introduce you to some of their products which are now available right on our site!
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START UP NEAT?
“Honestly, it felt like we had no choice… if not us then who? We have a combined 20 years of experience, working for consumer goods brands, from Ecover, Method and Ella’s Kitchen, to PepsiCo and Starbucks.
Having both worked for larger cleaning brands for several years we were aware of the fact that cleaning products are often 90% water and packaged in single-use plastic. Globally, home care generates around 29.5 billion bottles each year, and in the UK less than one-third of plastic is recycled, according to Euromonitor.
We believe that the planet and people deserve a better option and felt that with our experience we could build something that would have a real impact on the industry. So we set out on a mission to reimagine cleanliness. To create cleaning products that would be a real sustainable step change with no single-use plastic and no more unnecessary water.”
HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO YOU, THAT YOUR PRODUCTS WERE ABLE TO BE MADE IN THE UK?
Sustainability is at the heart of our company; it is built into the DNA.
“Even our name was chosen to hold us accountable for our mission to solve the problem of plastic waste in our homes. We looked at every part of our product and supply chain and tried to make the best decision we could for the planet and the people who would be using them.
“By removing the unnecessary water from our products and shipping them neat, we are reducing the weight and size of the product compared to the current products in stores. This means less trucks on the roads, less energy to run them and less carbon emissions.
It makes no sense to us to start shipping them from overseas. If anything, it felt completely counterproductive. We focused all our efforts on finding a way to make our products in the UK and even to make sure that each of our suppliers were as close to each other as possible. It also feels great to be working with and supporting local businesses and employers here in the UK.”
IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE ECO CLEANING TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“Of course, we are going to say switch to neat. But another simple little tip we like is to reuse some of the things that you might otherwise throw away. You can cut up some old cloths to make cleaning cloths, use your squeezed lemons to give your cutting boards a good deep scrub and used aluminium foil makes a great scouring pad when you need to get stuck into the oven or microwave. Also saves you a few pennies!”
ARE THERE ANY OTHER TIPS YOU COULD GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING THEIR ECO JOURNEY?
“We always say, when it comes to sustainable living, better many of us do what we can rather than a few people doing everything perfectly.
Don’t put yourself under too much pressure. We all have busy lives with limited time in a day. Choose the things that are reasonable and that you know you can make work for you, that way you are more likely to stick with them. It can all feel a little overwhelming sometimes, so just start somewhere and go from there. We are all about progress rather than perfection.”
A LOT OF CONSUMERS MIGHT THINK THAT BUYING ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS WILL COMPROMISE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT: WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THEM TO HELP DEBUNK THIS MYTH?
“Unfortunately, for years many eco-friendly products were a compromise. They might not have worked as well as less sustainable products and often just don’t look or feel that great.
With neat. we wanted to create products that are as good if not better than what exists. We don’t want to preach or guilt-trip people but rather provide a solution that they just love using in their everyday lives. That is why our products clean brilliantly, smell amazing and look great in our homes, all while eliminating single-use plastic.”
WE LOVE TO HEAR IT, NOW LET’S INTRODUCE YOU TO THEIR PRODUCTS…
All of neat’s products are plastic-free, vegan & cruelty-free and made here in the UK. For the products we are launching we’re going to have the starter pack that includes the cleaning product and an aluminium spray bottle, as well as the refills so you can buy the product, again and again, we’re sure you’ll want to.
Just 30 ml of neat solution makes 500ml of cleaner, clever right?
Already got a spray bottle you can use at home? We love to see it! All you need is a refill to get started.
Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner - Sage and Mint
Wave bye-bye to soap scum, grime and germs with neat’s antibacterial bathroom cleaner. Dilute your neat bottle, and hey presto dirt be gone. With fresh sage and mint scents, this clever little bottle kills 99.9% of bacteria.
Antibacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner - Mango & Fig
Get transported to the tropics with this deliciously scented multi-surface cleaner. Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom, or dining room, neat’s cleaner will clean away dirt and kill 99.9% of bacteria while it’s at it.
Anti-Bac Glass & Mirror Cleaner - Yuzu Tea
Bling up your shiny surfaces and be the envy of your friends with this gorgeous yuzu tea scented cleaner. Say bye to smears while also killing 99.9% of bacteria - we love to see it.
WHY WE LOVE NEAT!
Neat doesn’t produce any single-use plastic and quality and sustainability are important to the team in equal measure. Their products are high quality, super effective, and smell amazing while also being vegan, cruelty-free, and using plant-based and biodegradable ingredients.
We also love to support brands that are local to the UK, just like us, and we love how they support local industry by making their products here in the UK too.
Quality and sustainability - we love to see it.
We’ve given you loads of reasons to love neat. too. From introducing you to their founders to talking you through the products we have available. We hope you’re as excited for the neat. launch here at EcoVibe as we are.