Ethical Consumer

Ethical Consumer

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Learn how to use your spending power to help change the world for the better.

Why be an ethical consumer? How to be an ethical consumer

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership.

At the heart of the ethical consumer movement, since 1989.

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership, based in Manchester.

We provide all the tools and resources you need to make choices at the checkout simple, informed and effective.

Discover more about us

Includes guides to: Washing Machines, Laundry Detergent, Washing-up Liquid, Fridges & Freezers

The latest magazine includes shopping guides rating:

  • Washing Machines 
  • Laundry Detergent 
  • Washing-up Liquid
  • Fridges & Freezers

Plus:

  • score tables rating and comparing the brands
  • Best Buy recommendations
  • how do white goods rate for energy efficiency?
  • which washing machines and fridges are supporting the military?
  • the Palestinian boycott of Siemens
  • how do detergents compare on packaging?
  • are household products tested on animals?

Feature on:

  • how brands sponsoring the Paris Olympics are coming in last place for tax conduct

Issue 209 (July/August 2024) now in print and online.

Read the latest issue 

  • Laundry Detergents

    Image: Washing powder
    Find the best eco-friendly and sustainable laundry detergents, with ratings of 34 brands With ethical scores looking for vegan and cruelty free brands, use of toxic chemicals, palm oil and plastic packaging, we rate 34 brands to find the most environmentally friendly and sustainable laundry cleaners. We compare washing powders, liquids, sheets and capsules to find the most eco friendly. The ethical shopping guide also highlights the ethics of Unilever, includes brands like Ecover and Method, and gives our recommended buys.
    Read more

  • Washing Machines

    Image: washing machines
    This guide investigates and ranks 33 washing machine brands on sustainable and ethical issues. We look at energy efficiency and reduction, carbon emissions, saving water, and which laundry machine brands have links to military equipment or poor conflict mineral policies. We also look at options for repair, recycling and buying secondhand washing machines. We suggest washing machine brands to avoid, and give our recommended buys.
    Read more

More from Ethical Consumer

Hiker in jacket climbing over rocks

Ethical outdoor clothing

Rating 41 brands of outdoor clothing and gear for their ethics and sustainability.  We look at the environmental impact of synthetic materials and toxic chemicals, animal rights and workers' rights. We also look at repair options for a more sustainable approach, vegan outdoor clothing, and put Berghaus against North Face in an ethical head to head.

Read more
image: ethical cloth colourful dye fabrics in a row

Ethical Clothing Brands

Which are the real sustainable ethical clothing brands? Ratings for 29 UK ethical clothes brands, with Best Buy recommendations. See how brands rate on key areas including use of sustainable fabrics, climate impact, fair wages and working conditions, animal rights, and supply chain transparency. We look at their range of clothing and at the innovators that are going beyond fairtrade and organic. We also cover vintage and secondhand clothing companies, and have a head to head between Depop and Vinted.

Read more
Image: ethical shopping guide to fridges

Fridges & Freezers

Find energy efficient and eco friendly fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers. We review and rate 40 brands of fridges and fridge-freezers to investigate energy efficiency, conflict mineral use and military connections; give energy saving tips for fridge use, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Bush (Argos/Sainsbury's) and give our recommended buys.

Read more
Image: Shop floor on ethical clothing guide

High Street Clothes Shops

In this guide, we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 52 high street brands. We also look at the problem with fast fashion, workers' rights, shine a light on the ethics of Boohoo, Shein, and Temu, look at sustainable fabrics, delve into greenwashing, and give some recommended buys.

Read more
Woman running outside in red top and black leggings

Ethical Sportswear

Ranking the ethical and environmental record of 48 brands of sportswear. We look at the materials used including synthetics and the problem of microplastics, size inclusivity, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Lululemon and Sweaty Betty, review secondhand sportswear and give our recommended buys. 

Read more
Image: Shampoo brands

Ethical Shampoo

How to find natural, organic, vegan and independent shampoos which are eco friendly. In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 86 brands of shampoo We also look at palm oil, chemical free shampoo, solid bars versus liquid, shampoo for different hair types, and give our recommended buys.

Read more
bookshop

Ethical Bookshops

Guide to 34 leading UK bookshops, with best buys. Includes alternatives to Amazon and its various book-selling brands and how to find ethical online and local bookshops. We also look at the best options for ebooks and audio books, sustainability, buying secondhand books, and how to support independent authors, publishers and bookshops.

Read more
Image: Amazon

Boycott Amazon

We have called a boycott of Amazon over its outrageous tax avoidance since 2012. The list of accusations against Amazon is long, from offering its services to fossil fuel giants to firing activist workers.

Read more