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North Wales Live
09-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
I tried Dragons' Den-backed cleaning products that are on sale for Amazon Prime Day and they prove one thing
When it comes to tidying up the kitchen and doing the washing up, I've never really given much thought to the products I use. As long as they get the job done efficiently and quickly, I'm not too fussed about their appearance or what they're made from. However, in a world that's increasingly seeking greener alternatives in all aspects of our daily lives - from driving electric cars, buying second-hand goods on sites like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace, to installing LED lights in our homes - cleaning products are no exception. This is where eco-friendly cleaning product company Seep comes in. The products promise to be "easy to use, easy on the planet" and "easy on the eyes". Currently, various Seep items on Amazon have had their prices reduced amid the Prime Day deal. But customers may have spotted these unique products from the recent series of Dragons Den. In the fourth episode of the 22nd series of BBC's Dragons Den, 47 year old Laura Harnett, originally from Swansea but now living in London, managed to secure a £50k business deal with her eco-friendly cleaning products. The founder of Seep, which stands for 'sustainable everyday essential product', successfully persuaded Deborah Meaden and guest judge Trinny Woodall to make her first and only investment in the recent series. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. Following the impressive deal, we caught up with Laura to learn more about the product. The mum-of-two explained that she had always been an "eco-conscious" individual, but during the lockdown in 2020, she became frustrated with the lack of eco-friendly sustainable alternatives to plastic in the cleaning aisle. Plastic sponges and microfiber cloths are known to release microplastics during use and eventually end up in landfill. This prompted Laura to take action, but her decision to start her own business also had a deeply personal aspect. Laura battled breast cancer in her late 30s. After her recovery, she developed an obsession with plastic products. She explained: "With breast cancer in women, incidents are going up - it's genetics, but it is also things we are coming into contact with in our environment, with plastics and toxins being the main things. "I hated them, I hated these products and I found there were no alternatives. "In really niche eco-friendly shops, all I could find were coconut scourers, but they didn't work very well. So that was the impetus to start." Breast Cancer UK has reported that while studies have not yet established a link between microplastics and breast cancer risk, the charity believes "such a link is feasible". The charity explains that microplastics often contain mixtures of EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals), which mimic oestrogen and can interfere with hormone function. It is noted that consuming microplastics can cause inflammation and irritation, potentially leading to DNA damage and cancer. In light of the environmental and potential health implications linked to our cleaning products, I opted to purchase and try out the Seep products for myself. These items are available on Seep's website, Tesco, Lakeland, Ocado and Amazon. Eco Sponge Scourer Upon first opening the packaging of the scourer, I was greeted by its soft white colour which was pleasing to the eye and comfortable to hold. The scourer was a perfect rectangle, with one side being soft and the other slightly more abrasive, crafted from loofah, ensuring it could tackle any stubborn stains on surfaces. The packaging indicated that it could be utilised in either the kitchen or bathroom, so I opted to test it out in the kitchen as we were due for a new scourer. Over the following days, I found that this scourer performed just as well as my previous stainless steel one. Whether it was a saucepan stained with leftover pasta sauce, a wok used for stir fry, or even the dreaded remnants of Weetabix clinging to a bowl, it seemed there was nothing this scourer couldn't handle. As someone who tends to scrub quite vigorously when washing up, I particularly appreciated how gentle this scourer felt on my pans and woks, yet it cleaned just as effectively as a stainless steel scourer, without the worry of scratching your dishes. After nearly a fortnight, the scourer maintained its shape and effectiveness, provided I rinsed it after use and allowed it to dry between uses. On Amazon, shoppers can purchase a pack of 12 of these scourers for £20 down from, as well as a pack of four now 10% off with the price dropping from £9.50 to £8.55, which you can find here. Was £9.50 down to £7.60 for a pack of three on Amazon Much like the scourer, the cloth felt incredibly soft and seemed to be made from robust material. The turquoise colour was appealing, and its thickness and texture made it versatile enough for any situation, whether that was gathering up bread crumbs or mopping up spilt milk on worktops and tables. The cloth paired excellently with my Method Daily Kitchen Cleaner, which is also promoted as green and eco-friendly. After roughly two weeks, this product maintained its shape far better than the conventional dish cloths I've used previously, which typically appear dull and have torn edges by this stage. On Amazon, a pack of three cloths comes with a turquoise, navy and natural colours, all now discounted to £7.60, which you can find here. Eco Rubber Gloves Was £10 for a pack of three but now £7.50 on Amazon The gloves, crafted from sustainable fair trade rubber, were also pleasingly coloured. They were soft and kind to the hands, lacking the potent distinctive odour often associated with other rubber gloves. I opted for the medium size, and while they fit me comfortably, they could easily accommodate someone with larger hands. These gloves are also available in small and large sizes. I found gripping objects quite straightforward with these gloves - possibly even easier than with other gloves, making kitchen cleaning tasks simpler. The gloves are now 25% off on Amazon, which has reduced their price from £10 to £7.50 for a pack of three, which you can find out more here. Amazon Prime Sign Up The verdict The idea that eco-friendly products are fragile and only available from specialist sustainable shops is a thing of the past. These Seep products do the job - they're just as effective as plastic-based cleaning products, if not more so at times. Plus, they look good and feel great to use. I'm considering replacing my usual products with these, particularly the gloves and cloth. While these items might be slightly pricier than their counterparts, you're paying for superior quality products that seem to last longer and are kinder to our environment. In my view, it's a cost worth bearing. Alternatively, you could opt for the ecoME Cellulose Kitchen Washing Up Sponges, currently reduced to £10.44 from £10.99 on Amazon for a pack of eight. You can also purchase the SUPERSCANDI Made in Sweden Dish Cloths Eco-Friendly Paper, now £8.49 down from £9.99 for a pack of six, also on Amazon. Or, you could go for the Greenminds FSC Certified Households Cleaning Gloves in medium size, priced at £5.35, again from Amazon.
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
I tried Dragons' Den-backed cleaning products that are on sale for Amazon Prime Day and they prove one thing
I tried Dragons' Den-backed cleaning products that are on sale for Amazon Prime Day and they prove one thing Laura Harnett secured a £50k business deal with her eco-friendly cleaning products in Dragons Den and I decided to put them to the test to see if they are actually any good Seep offers products such as an eco sponge scourer, eco all-purpose bamboo cloths and eco rubber gloves (Image: WalesOnline ) When it comes to tidying up the kitchen and doing the washing up, I've never really given much thought to the products I use. As long as they get the job done efficiently and quickly, I'm not too fussed about their appearance or what they're made from. However, in a world that's increasingly seeking greener alternatives in all aspects of our daily lives - from driving electric cars, buying second-hand goods on sites like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace, to installing LED lights in our homes - cleaning products are no exception. This is where eco-friendly cleaning product company Seep comes in. The products promise to be "easy to use, easy on the planet" and "easy on the eyes". READ MORE: The 'comfortable' garden sofa set buyers 'absolutely love' now reduced by £80 for Amazon Prime Day LATEST: Ten minute cleaning hack keeps wooden floors dust-free for a month Currently, various Seep items on Amazon have had their prices reduced amid the Prime Day deal. But customers may have spotted these unique products from the recent series of Dragons Den. In the fourth episode of the 22nd series of BBC's Dragons Den, 47 year old Laura Harnett, originally from Swansea but now living in London, managed to secure a £50k business deal with her eco-friendly cleaning products. 47-year-old Laura Harnett, who is the founder of Seep, managed to convince guest judge Trinny Woodall to make her first and only investment during Dragons' Den fourth episode of the 22nd series (Image: Seep ) The founder of Seep, which stands for 'sustainable everyday essential product', successfully persuaded Deborah Meaden and guest judge Trinny Woodall to make her first and only investment in the recent series. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Following the impressive deal, we caught up with Laura to learn more about the product. The mum-of-two explained that she had always been an "eco-conscious" individual, but during the lockdown in 2020, she became frustrated with the lack of eco-friendly sustainable alternatives to plastic in the cleaning aisle. Plastic sponges and microfiber cloths are known to release microplastics during use and eventually end up in landfill. This prompted Laura to take action, but her decision to start her own business also had a deeply personal aspect. Laura battled breast cancer in her late 30s. After her recovery, she developed an obsession with plastic products. She explained: "With breast cancer in women, incidents are going up - it's genetics, but it is also things we are coming into contact with in our environment, with plastics and toxins being the main things. "I hated them, I hated these products and I found there were no alternatives. "In really niche eco-friendly shops, all I could find were coconut scourers, but they didn't work very well. So that was the impetus to start." Breast Cancer UK has reported that while studies have not yet established a link between microplastics and breast cancer risk, the charity believes "such a link is feasible". The charity explains that microplastics often contain mixtures of EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals), which mimic oestrogen and can interfere with hormone function. It is noted that consuming microplastics can cause inflammation and irritation, potentially leading to DNA damage and cancer. In light of the environmental and potential health implications linked to our cleaning products, I opted to purchase and try out the Seep products for myself. These items are available on Seep's website, Tesco, Lakeland, Ocado and Amazon. Was £9.50 but now £8.55 for a pack of four on Amazon Seep's eco sponge scourer (Image: WalesOnline ) Upon first opening the packaging of the scourer, I was greeted by its soft white colour which was pleasing to the eye and comfortable to hold. The scourer was a perfect rectangle, with one side being soft and the other slightly more abrasive, crafted from loofah, ensuring it could tackle any stubborn stains on surfaces. The packaging indicated that it could be utilised in either the kitchen or bathroom, so I opted to test it out in the kitchen as we were due for a new scourer. Over the following days, I found that this scourer performed just as well as my previous stainless steel one. Whether it was a saucepan stained with leftover pasta sauce, a wok used for stir fry, or even the dreaded remnants of Weetabix clinging to a bowl, it seemed there was nothing this scourer couldn't handle. As someone who tends to scrub quite vigorously when washing up, I particularly appreciated how gentle this scourer felt on my pans and woks, yet it cleaned just as effectively as a stainless steel scourer, without the worry of scratching your dishes. After nearly a fortnight, the scourer maintained its shape and effectiveness, provided I rinsed it after use and allowed it to dry between uses. On Amazon, shoppers can purchase a pack of 12 of these scourers for £20 down from, as well as a pack of four now 10% off with the price dropping from £9.50 to £8.55, which you can find here. Was £9.50 down to £7.60 for a pack of three on Amazon Seep's eco all-purpose bamboo cloth (Image: WalesOnline ) Much like the scourer, the cloth felt incredibly soft and seemed to be made from robust material. The turquoise colour was appealing, and its thickness and texture made it versatile enough for any situation, whether that was gathering up bread crumbs or mopping up spilt milk on worktops and tables. The cloth paired excellently with my Method Daily Kitchen Cleaner, which is also promoted as green and eco-friendly. After roughly two weeks, this product maintained its shape far better than the conventional dish cloths I've used previously, which typically appear dull and have torn edges by this stage. On Amazon, a pack of three cloths comes with a turquoise, navy and natural colours, all now discounted to £7.60, which you can find here. Was £10 for a pack of three but now £7.50 on Amazon Seep's eco rubber gloves (Image: WalesOnline ) The gloves, crafted from sustainable fair trade rubber, were also pleasingly coloured. They were soft and kind to the hands, lacking the potent distinctive odour often associated with other rubber gloves. I opted for the medium size, and while they fit me comfortably, they could easily accommodate someone with larger hands. These gloves are also available in small and large sizes. I found gripping objects quite straightforward with these gloves - possibly even easier than with other gloves, making kitchen cleaning tasks simpler. The gloves are now 25% off on Amazon, which has reduced their price from £10 to £7.50 for a pack of three, which you can find out more here. Free Amazon Prime membership £8.99 Free Amazon Get Prime here Product Description Fancy free takeaway delivery? Access to Deliveroo Plus is one of a host of advantages of Amazon Prime membership, including exclusive Prime Day discounts and perks on Hello Fresh, music, books and Prime Video. Usually £8.99 a month, you can now get a 30-day free trial to get access to the latest deals. The verdict The idea that eco-friendly products are fragile and only available from specialist sustainable shops is a thing of the past. These Seep products do the job - they're just as effective as plastic-based cleaning products, if not more so at times. Plus, they look good and feel great to use. I'm considering replacing my usual products with these, particularly the gloves and cloth. Seep products are available on their website, Tesco, Lakeland, Ocado and Amazon (Image: WalesOnline ) While these items might be slightly pricier than their counterparts, you're paying for superior quality products that seem to last longer and are kinder to our environment. In my view, it's a cost worth bearing. Alternatively, you could opt for the ecoME Cellulose Kitchen Washing Up Sponges, currently reduced to £10.44 from £10.99 on Amazon for a pack of eight. You can also purchase the SUPERSCANDI Made in Sweden Dish Cloths Eco-Friendly Paper, now £8.49 down from £9.99 for a pack of six, also on Amazon. Article continues below Or, you could go for the Greenminds FSC Certified Households Cleaning Gloves in medium size, priced at £5.35, again from Amazon.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dragons' Den fans accuse show bosses of 'ruining' series with new format
Dragons' Den fans have said the BBC show needs to return to its original format and ditch celebrity guests after Trinny Woodall was brought in for a stint as an investor. The What Not To Wear star - who has her own successful beauty business, Trinny London - joined Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett in the Den. It came not long after fitness guru Joe Wicks was a guest Dragon. However, many viewers said they didn't feel having celebrity guests worked well on the programme, suggesting the concept had caused the show to go "downhill". Woodall was on the show on Thursday, 30 January, listening as hopefuls pitched businesses such as a hair oil brand and plastic free cleaning products. She was outspoken from the start, asking probing questions and challenging Suleyman over one point. "You always come up with this thing of like, the end of D to C (direct-to-consumer)," she said. "When I watch the show I hear you say it. And I just take umbrage because I think there is power in D to C." However, many viewers posted messages on social media saying having a celeb there didn't add anything to the format. "Another reason why this show has gone downhill, bringing in guest Dragons," one said on X. "Stick to the usual five. It's a Poundland Apprentice." "Bringing guest Dragons wasn't a good idea, format was fine the way it was," posted another. "What the hell has happened to Dragons' Den?" someone else asked. "First two episodes now Trinny Woodall oh please … No more episodes for me ..I won't be investing, I'm out." Read more: Dragons' Den Trinny Woodall reveals Dragons' Den secret after guest spot on BBC show Steven Bartlett 'slapped in the face' by moving story on Dragons' Den Dragons' Den inventor baffles viewers with shower cleaning gadget Another remarked: "They don't need guests like Trinny on..." "Not a fan of guest Dragons," said somebody else. "They don't really bring anything to the show." One fan said they were "not a fan of these 'guest investors'", asking: "Why can't they just keep it with the 5 investors, ruining the programme." However, another person thought the concept was "interesting". "Googled Trinny and she's made a hell of a lot of money since she was telling women what to wear back in the day," they pointed out. Woodall did end up investing during her time in the Den, after she was impressed by Seep founder Laura Harnett's pitch. Dragon Meaden partnered with the star to invest in the eco cleaning brand, offering the full £50,000 requested for a 4% share in the business. Harnett said: 'I was so happy to secure investment from Trinny and Deborah as it will help to take Seep to the next level… When I found out that Trinny Woodall was going to be a guest judge on our episode, it felt like the biggest opportunity ever. 'I've been a huge fan of hers for years, even more so now that she's built a global beauty brand from scratch in her 50s – she's incredible. Having her and Deborah Meaden say yes to the investment was the single biggest confidence boost that I'm on the right track.' Dragons' Den airs on BBC One on Thursdays.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
This eco-friendly cleaning brand helped me cut down on plastic waste
While it's easy to swap single-use plastic bags for eco-friendly canvas totes when we do our shopping and opt for products that come in recyclable packaging, our homes can still contain a lot of plastic. When we use a sponge to wipe down the table after breakfast, or we line our bins with a fresh rubbish bag, we're adding to the huge amount of plastic that will end up in landfill sites. But there are alternatives available that are kinder to our planet, and Seep is one small business doing things a little differently. Founded by Laura Harnett, Seep stands for 'sustainable everyday essential products' and offers a range of eco-friendly, plastic-free cleaning solutions. This includes compostable bin bags, bamboo multi-purpose cleaning cloths, reusable kitchen sponge scourers and eco rubber gloves. Even better, the products are stocked at Lakeland, Ocado and Amazon as well as on Seep's website, and it's easy to get them delivered to your door, too. All Seep products have gone through rigorous quality assessments to make sure they perform just as well as (if not better than) the average plastic sponge. However, I also put them to the test to see how well these eco-friendly cleaning products performed in my busy home environment. Having launched in 2020, the brand has now made its TV debut and appeared on Dragons' Den, where the brand founder pitched the plastic-free cleaning products in the hope of investment. In honour of this, I just had to put them to my own test. How we tested I tried a few different Seep products over the course of a month to see how well they lasted after repeated use. My household consists of four young children under the age of eight, who all eat different meals from my husband and me, so we do a lot of washing up – it's relentless. We're also constantly cleaning surfaces due to toast crumbs, sticky fingers and pasta sauce spillages, so we usually get through a lot of cleaning cloths and kitchen roll. We swapped our usual supermarket own-brand cleaning cloths for Seep's alternatives and also donned the Seep eco rubber gloves when we washed up. Why you can trust us Household cleaning reviewer Zoe Griffin tested each and every Seep cleaning product in her own bathroom, kitchen, and everywhere else that needed a good scrubbing. With a busy house full of messy little ones, Zoe is an expert in assessing home appliances and cleaning products, she has written about everything from electric heaters to cordless vacuum cleaners and has had a wealth of testing experience to draw on while assessing the products she reviews.
