34 replies to this topic

[amylisa1127]

I read the fine print and labels on all my cleaning products. Some might think it is a little picky, but I do it. There are so many harmful chemicals entering our waterways everyday, that it only makes sense to take the extra step. I noticed Amway is coming back and I've heard many of their products are green. Anyone know about this? Do you read labels and use green cleaning products?

[gangandealer]

I sometimes read labels. I tried to turn to the more green side of cleaning products, but I saw a documentary about how companies can just put the words "green" or "organic" in their product's even if it isn't. The companies put one ingredient in the product that is green and they can call it a green product.

[zararina]

I also sometimes read labels and will like to choose a much earth friendly choice/option. Although green products here are not that popular and sometimes much costly. But I had read that there are some cleaning products that can be made at home and be more practical and earth friendly. Maybe I will try making them for our house hod cleaning use.

[gangandealer]

zararina, on 25 September 2011 - 08:15 AM, said:

I also sometimes read labels and will like to choose a much earth friendly choice/option. Although green products here are not that popular and sometimes much costly. But I had read that there are some cleaning products that can be made at home and be more practical and earth friendly. Maybe I will try making them for our house hod cleaning use.

Do you know of any products that can be made at home from organic ingredients? That would be so helpful!

[mommymumbles]

I prefer to try and clean with natural products I have in my home (baking soda, vinegar, lemons, etc.) It is so much healthier for myself-because I am the one doing all the   cleaning, and for my kids (probably the pets too.) It save s me money as well-which is always a good thing!!

[trmeyer]

I also use vinegar, baking soda, and lemons to do cleaning. I love adding vinegar to my washing machine rinse cycle as it makes the clothes smell so fresh. We have hard water so it really helps. Baking soda added to your dish water helps to cut grease also. It is very interesting to read all the things you can clean with just these things. Probably what our grandmothers did a long time ago.

[mommymumbles]

Here is a natural way to clean the toilet: Pour a can of soda in there, let it sit about an hour and flush. Those rust rings and mineral deposits should be pretty much gone! Better use of soda than drinking the stuff, don't you think??

[sammilynn]

Personally I would LOVE to use green cleaning products, but the only ones that I have been able to find don't have a label with ingredients... and too me that's a little shady, so I don't buy it.  

If they had an ingredient list, or there were more products available near me, I would definitely buy them.

[gangandealer]

sammilynn, on 08 October 2011 - 03:07 PM, said:

Personally I would LOVE to use green cleaning products, but the only ones that I have been able to find don't have a label with ingredients... and too me that's a little shady, so I don't buy it.  

If they had an ingredient list, or there were more products available near me, I would definitely buy them.

True, if only there were actual products like that that had ingredients on them and were 'green'.

[iamloved1]

Check out my company, God's Country Botanicals at www.godscountrybotanicals.com. We make a wonderful product called Clean & Fresh, which contains all-natural, antibacterial, antiviral essential oils. You can use it like lys*l, but you can also spray it into the air and inhale it because all the oils boost your immune system! We are offering a free bottle with any $9.99 purchase through October - the start of cold and flu season. We also have green room fresheners, car fresheners, insect repellents and fabric fresheners that all use essential oils. I'd love your feedback on my site. All my ingredients are listed on the site and most are listed on the product labels. I am especially proud of my natural facial cleansers and candles. Thanks for reading and happy greening!

Check out my company, God's Country Botanicals at www.godscountrybotanicals.com. We make a wonderful product called Clean & Fresh, which contains all-natural, antibacterial, antiviral essential oils. You can use it like lys*l, but you can also spray it into the air and inhale it because all the oils boost your immune system! We are offering a free bottle with any $9.99 purchase through October - the start of cold and flu season. We also have green room fresheners, car fresheners, insect repellents and fabric fresheners that all use essential oils. I'd love your feedback on my site. All my ingredients are listed on the site and most are listed on the product labels. I am especially proud of my natural facial cleansers and candles. Thanks for reading and happy greening!

[Yoginitrish]

I often try to choose Method-brand or Seventh Generation cleaning products. A year ago I saw a special on Good Morning America about hosting a cleaning product party. The idea was the host gathers ingredients and containers for homemade cleaning products. Guests come, make cleaning products and have a glass of wine. It sounds fun and social! Anyone know a website with reliable recipes for cleaning products?
Since I have no idea what goes into products--I need some guidance!

mommymumbles, on 08 October 2011 - 09:02 AM, said:

Here is a natural way to clean the toilet: Pour a can of soda in there, let it sit about an hour and flush. Those rust rings and mineral deposits should be pretty much gone! Better use of soda than drinking the stuff, don't you think??

It is sort of scary that soda cleans a toilet! I guess it is the acid and carbonation?
I once saw Kristie Alley on Oprah--she said she cleans her whole house with cheap vodka!!! Ha!

[mariaandrea]

I also use vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning. MUCH cheaper than any commercial cleaning product. I do admit to keeping bleach on hand for occasional deep cleaning. I found this article helpful a couple years ago to get me started with green cleaning:

http://www.care2.com...eaning-kit.html

[gangandealer]

mariaandrea, on 10 October 2011 - 11:56 AM, said:

I also use vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning. MUCH cheaper than any commercial cleaning product. I do admit to keeping bleach on hand for occasional deep cleaning. I found this article helpful a couple years ago to get me started with green cleaning:

http://www.care2.com...eaning-kit.html

Great, I will check out that link and look into it! Thanks a bunch!

[Mon-Jes]

mommymumbles, on 08 October 2011 - 09:02 AM, said:

Here is a natural way to clean the toilet: Pour a can of soda in there, let it sit about an hour and flush. Those rust rings and mineral deposits should be pretty much gone! Better use of soda than drinking the stuff, don't you think??

<chokes back laughter> Are you kidding me? That's wonderful. That's like the ultimate 5th-grade science project to get kids to stop drinking soda!

I had to start using natural cleaners a few years ago due to chemical allergies. Seventh Generation is always good. Vinegar rocks, too, though I'm sensitive to the smell, so my clothes smell like vinegar instead of fresh.

[Yoginitrish]

mariaandrea, on 10 October 2011 - 11:56 AM, said:

I also use vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning. MUCH cheaper than any commercial cleaning product. I do admit to keeping bleach on hand for occasional deep cleaning. I found this article helpful a couple years ago to get me started with green cleaning:

http://www.care2.com...eaning-kit.html

I will have to check this article out. As more and more green products become commercially available, I become hesitant and skeptical. Plus, even "natural" cleaners can be toxic to human beings in large quanities. And I do love bleach--but it can be corrosive. However, I have no idea what the guidelines actually are!

[JBMedia]

This is exactly what gets me. There's so many organic and green products out on the market these days and probably more than 50% of them are fakes. How can you tell which product(s) are green and environmentally friendly? For me I try to by green cleaning products, but the problem is, half of the stuff I buy doesn't really make a difference. Is there a way I can know that the stuff I'm buying is better for the environment?

[BillK22]

Without a background in chemistry (or extensive wikipedia searching), its very difficult to know.  If its more expensive, they probably use greener raws.  But then again, that might be a strategy too.

[Sandra Piddock]

I have several microfibre cloths, and all I need to use with them is water - you can't get much greener than that! I use them for the windows and the floors, and if I use a microfibre cloth for dusting, I don't need to use polish, as a dry cloth will buff up wood really well. Like everyone else, I use vinegar, lemon and bicarbonate of soda for heavy duty cleaning.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

JBMedia, on 12 October 2011 - 09:51 AM, said:

This is exactly what gets me. There's so many organic and green products out on the market these days and probably more than 50% of them are fakes. How can you tell which product(s) are green and environmentally friendly? For me I try to by green cleaning products, but the problem is, half of the stuff I buy doesn't really make a difference. Is there a way I can know that the stuff I'm buying is better for the environment?

Reading the labels can be of some help but too often manufacturers hide toxic chemicals under the term "fragrance"
and get away with it.
(This link speaks to perfumes and colognes, but it's true of all fragrance listings on a label.)
http://www.ewg.org/notsosexy

http://www.selfgrowt...under-your-sink

http://www.energygri...rsonalcare.html

Stick with the old tried and true-vinegar, baking soda, lemon.
Can I eat my cleaning products is a good way to gauge their safety.   

http://www.altenergy...aning-products/
http://www.altenergy...e-eco-products/
http://www.altenergy...tural-products/

[QuatreHiead]

mommymumbles, on 08 October 2011 - 09:02 AM, said:

Here is a natural way to clean the toilet: Pour a can of soda in there, let it sit about an hour and flush. Those rust rings and mineral deposits should be pretty much gone! Better use of soda than drinking the stuff, don't you think??

That is a genius use of soda!! I never thought about that. My mom and brother drink soda and a lot of the time after they visit I am left with their stuff not knowing what to do with it. A quick toilet bowl clean would be a good idea.

It's like when another friend introduced me to the idea of tossing remains from noodle soups and ramen bowls in the toilet and flushing them. It is a lot better for the sink a lot of the time than clogging it with the noodles and freeze-dried vegetables.