CVS Earth Essentials Glass and Surface Cleaner

Many of you might remember the series I did back in September of 2009 on CVS Earth Essentials**. I was overall fairly impressed with the products so when I was in the market to pick up some glass cleaner recently, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this new addition in the CVS Earth Essentials line. I purchased a bottle and got right to using it on my most stubborn windows -- the car.

With a natural percentage of 99.95%, no phosphorus or bleach, and the first ingredient being “coconut based cleaning agents”, I felt more secure in its overall planetary impact. The bottle is recyclable and the ingredients are biodegradable, not to mention it smells nice too.

Of course the biggest question is -- does it work?

Those who are avid readers know that I have battled the fight with cigarettes for a few years now (just quit again, hopefully for good this time!) and it is one of the worst offenders on glass inside my car. No matter what we use to clean them (especially the windshield) nothing seems to cut the staining (yuk!) and it is always left streaky unless I do three passes. As you can imagine, streaks on the windshield at night can be somewhat precarious but I don’t have to deal with that anymore!

The Earth Essentials cleaner not only cut through the film on the first pass but the window was left totally streak free! I was very impressed with the performance as well as the ability to use less of the product but still achieve the best possible results.

Because of the lessened impact, CVS’ environmental consciousness and the percentage of natural based ingredients in this cleaner I am granting it a Four Leaf Rating!

Thanks for your dedication to Greener alternatives CVS, it is this kind of change in thinking that fuels innovation for a Greener world! ♥love♥

**If you missed the original Earth Essentials series you can read about the different products I was graciously sent back then to test & review: Room Mist, Paper Products, and Sugarcane Dishware.

Earthworm Cleaning Products Series Drain and Septic Treatments

In our continuing series on Earthworm cleaning products which I received from Clean Earth Brands to review and Leaf Rate, today I will be talking about two products -- the flagship product Drain Cleaner and a non-liquid based Septic Treatment.

All the drains in our bathroom tend to be slow so I decided to test out the Drain Cleaner in the tub, sink and toilet. Following the packaging directions I shook and poured a few ounces down each drain. The toilet received about half a bottle and a flush, as instructed.

The directions indicate that slow drains should be treated with 6-8 ounces 3-5 nights in a row. I used it for three nights in the tub and sink and overall I have actually noticed a difference! Especially when taking a shower because we utilize a drain trap that catches hair but it tends to slow the flow of water.

I will not say it has been fixed 100% but it certainly is faster so I believe I will continue to use it the next two nights and see if that finishes off any clogs that might be trapped. As with the other products I have already reviewed the ingredients contain preservatives but this one also contains fragrance. Again, I would like to be clear as to the birth place of this fragrance -- is it natural?

Overall I am pleased with the performance and encouraged that this is another product comprised of 80% water as well as natural enzymes and surfactants as this makes me so much more confident about using it in any capacity let alone pouring it directly down the drain and I am granting the Drain Cleaner a Three and a Half Leaf Rating! ♥love♥

As far as the Septic Treatment goes I unfortunately will not be able to grant a Leaf Rating as we do not have this type of system so I can not test it out. Matt has given the two boxes I received to a friend at work and asked him to make some mental notes as to the viability of the product so I should be able to report back on this one with some feedback soon.

In the meantime, I can share some of the information directly from the box. They claim the product is 100% biodegradable and made using sustainable ingredients; it is petroleum, phosphate acid and chlorine free. Additionally it will not release odors, vapors or heat while it cleans and it is even good for greywater treatment systems. They recommend using a whole box once per month.

In completing some additional research I discovered that most septic systems are not recommended to have any additives as the system itself should already have sufficient enzymes to enable breakdown of solids. I am not sure as to the validity of either claim considering I do not have this system so I suggest doing your own research prior to purchasing, like all products.

We will return with the rest of the Earthworm series beginning on Sunday November 8, 2009!

Earthworm Cleaning Products Series All Purpose Cleaner

In this continuing series on Earthworm (by Clean Earth Brands) cleaning products which the company sent to me to review and leaf Rate, we turn today to the All Purpose Cleaner. I used this product on something that would truly test its capability -- our thirty year old, off-white, heavily dinged kitchen table.

According to the directions I shook it well, sprayed it on and let it sit for 3+ minutes while I took the photo of the product and got my rag ready. We use old tee shirts as rags so I pulled one apart and got a clean section dampened.

The smell was pleasant on this item as well, no chemical but I couldn’t put my finger on its somewhat nutty aroma. Reading the ingredients and seeing natural surfactant I imagined it is likely coconut oil base.

Here’s a before and after photo of the table side by side:

I used flash for both photos but even without the pictures I could see the difference right away. It isn’t as if we had never washed this piece, the table gets wiped down with a warm soapy sponge after every meal, but clearly we had been trapping dirt and grime in all the little divots regardless! With a tiny bit of extra elbow grease I was able to take almost all of the dirt out of every crevice including the smallest of holes. I was floored!

But just a word of caution -- My rag had a slight white film left on it which I imagine was the paint from the table so I would not recommend this product for painted surfaces (we are stripping and refinishing this piece this winter so I was not overly alarmed).

Just as I mentioned yesterday with the Mold and Mildew Treatment -- ‘The proteins in this product actually convert the organic yuckies into nutrients and water and they are safe to use around pets and humans’. Again, the final ingredient is preservatives and because I am very curious as to what that preservative is, I have now reached out to the company for clarification.

I am granting a Four and a Half Leaf Rating to the All Purpose Cleaner!

Earthworm this one has me so psyched and I fully intend to use it over and over on all my hard surfaces like countertops or even my office desktop! ♥love♥

Up tomorrow I share thoughts on Earthworm Family Safe Drain Cleaner and Septic Treatment.

Earthworm Cleaning Products Inch Up the Eco List

For quite some time now I have been very concerned with the products we use in our household to clean as I do not want to wash loads of chemicals down the drain. We have experimented with an array of products containing natural surfactants such as coconut oil and I have found that these cleaners do just as good, or better, of a job than their chemical based counterparts. So when Earthworm (by Clean Earth Brands) sent me two boxes full of natural enzyme based cleaners to try I was truly looking forward to putting them to the test.

Today’s review will focus on the Mold & Mildew Treatment. Tomorrow and Thursday two more products will be tested and reviewed and then beginning on Sunday November 8th I will run a six day series to individually use and rate the rest of this company’s fine products.

We are not ghastly people when it comes to grime but like most people, the bathroom is one of those rooms we despise cleaning but simultaneously get the most satisfaction from when it is sparkling. I noticed a bit of mildew in a corner of the tub so I put the Mold and Mildew Treatment to the test first. The instructions say to shake, spray and let sit 5+ minutes to allow the enzymes to work before scrubbing.

The smell was pleasant, clean without being chemical. Almost Earthy but not in a crunchy-crunchy sort of way, more fruity. I allowed it to sit while I wrote up the start of this as well as did a little company research online.

When I used to clean with caustic chemical based products there would be no trace of anything organic, even the deepest recess of the caulking around our tub, but I also knew that was going right down the drain. I went back in to scrub the Mold and Mildew Treatment and found it had foamed up into an almost chunky liquid. I scrubbed and all of the reddish mold came off with very little effort. The blacker areas were mostly stains built up over years of this being a rental apartment and did not budge much.

Here’s an after photo of the same corner I took the product photo in:

There definitely is quite a difference!

The proteins in this product actually convert the organic yuckies into nutrients and water and they are safe to use around pets and humans. Clean Earth Brands proudly displays their National Green Energy Council seal on their website as well. Reading the list of ingredients however the final is trace preservatives. I would like to know what percentage the trace is as well as what it is to deem its environmental impact as well.

Overall I was happy to use this 80% water based product as I know it is a far safer alternative so I am granting a Four Leaf Rating to the Mold and Mildew Treatment!

Nice way to hit the ground running right out of the box Earthworm! ♥love♥

Up tomorrow I tackle the Earthworm All Purpose Cleaner by using it in the kitchen.

The EcoBag Series -- Day One: Loofah-Art Kitchen Scrubber

We have all been there, on the stove sits a daunting pot with something burned/caked/cooked onto the bottom of it that our everyday sponge just will not handle. We do not want to waste the water it would take to soak it for hours and steel wool pads sometimes contain chemically enhanced detergents, so what should we do when trying to remove something so stubborn?

I recently received this Loofah-Art Scrubber from EcoBags and I must say, after using it a few times for just the very scenario described above I am in love with this little apple shaped cleaning tool!

Most recently I used it (with just a little water added to the cleaning pad itself) to remove some completely dried vegetable soup from a bowl and it took it off with no problems and little pressure. Rinsing the scrubber utilized far less water than soaking the bowl would have. Listed online for $3.99 the scrubber is completely biodegradable, since loofah is a plant, and the package indicates that the dye is vegetable based.

I liked reading that a portion of the proceeds from Loofah-Art sales help to support the funding of schools, medical care and decent living conditions in the countryside in India where they are created by independent farmers and fairly paid workers.

There are 55 different designs for both the shower or kitchen (on the Loofah-Art website, EcoBags shows different options based on availability) so there is likely one to fit in with any décor or preference. I love my apple; it was the perfect choice for Loofah-Art to allow EcoBags to send me to review as I have some apple items already hanging around my kitchen!

The scrubber dried relatively quickly but I will say it was a bit stiff to work with at first and slightly rough on my hands as I do not wear gloves when washing dishes by hand. Also, there is a minimum order of two scrubbers required on any of these, including the body loofah which retails for $14.99 and is substantially larger of an item (I found this slightly odd). I will definitely be curious to see how long the Scrubber lasts before it either begins to emit an odor or begins to break down.

Despite some personal preferences, this is definitely a more environmentally sound option than similarly designed nylon based versions, and I am awarding the Loofah-Art Kitchen Scrubber a Three Leaf Rating!

Not only is this product functional but it is attractive and eco-friendly! Nice work! ♥love♥

Coming up tomorrow -- the reusable Produce Bag

VioClean is the Responsible Way to Clean Carpets

Recently a family member happened to notice a VioClean van in their neighborhood and sent me the name so I could do a little research; apparently the vehicle indicated they were an environmentally responsible carpet cleaning company. I was intrigued.

Turns out that VioClean is not only a carpet cleaner but they also provide rug, upholstery, tile and grout cleaning and they do it all in a manner that is safe for children, adults and pets right here in the Boston area**.

The process used is called hot water extraction and they perform it in ten steps which include a pre and post cleaning inspection, a thorough vacuuming of the area with a hepa filter machine and a spot cleaning of stubborn areas. Not to mention that moving small furniture is included and they will groom and speed dry the carpet upon completing the cleaning process to ensure a faster dry time.

All of the products used in the cleaning process are purported to be non-toxic and natural; they indicate no soaps, detergents, petrochemicals or solvents are used. In fact the cleaning products are also odor free, do not emit any VOC, they are organic, colorless and non-allergenic (tend to reduce allergens in the air!) and they do not leave a residue on the carpet fibers.

These folks are an ideal solution for busy landlords as not only will they get down to the heart of the grime in a carpet and remove it but they will also (for a varying fee) remove and recycle appliances, furniture items, electronic equipment and other assorted items that may have to go (pianos, exercise equipment, etc.). Cool!

On top of all these environmentally responsible efforts, the website indicates this is a family run business and that they support such charitable causes as Know Breast Cancer (provides education on the disease and its prevention).

Overall I am not only impressed with the services they offer but that they do it all with an eye on being Earth friendly. With all this in mind I am granting VioClean a Three and a Half Leaf Rating!

With an eco-edge on other cleaners in this area VioClean I encourage you to branch out and start offering your services nationwide! ♥love♥

**If VioClean is not available in your area I strongly encourage everyone considering this type of service to look into the most environmentally responsible company in geographic proximity.

Have I Been Eating, Breathing and Absorbing Bleach?

Common household chlorine bleach, or as it is known in the scientific community sodium hypochlorite, is generally kept under lock and key away from children as it is commonly known to be extremely harmful if ingested. The typical bottle is outfitted with a child safety locking cap and warnings are written all over it to stay away. We keep these bottles under locked kitchen sinks, in basements or high up on laundry room shelves to avoid them being accidentally ingested.

Does this seem slightly ironic to anyone but me?

If the bleach is used in the laundry, on that stubborn tub stain or to sanitize countertops then rinsed down the drain, where do we think it goes? Sadly for many this is a typical “out of sight, out of mind” scenario.

We would not drink bleach or use it on our skin but each time we strain coffee through a white filter or put on clothing rinsed with the substance, that is essentially exactly what we are doing; we are just doing so in very small doses. But over time small doses can really add up to hurt ourselves and our planet.

This comic strip is from one of my favorites, who are now sadly out of commission, Rustle the Leaf.

Three ingredients can easily replace bleach around the house -- lemon juice, salt and baking soda.

For underarm stains pour a little lemon juice on, rub in some table salt and then place it out in the sun for a bit. A couple hours will do the trick then when it is washed voila, no more stain and no more odor!

For something like spilled red wine on an ivory countertop, concentrated lemon juice (as in squeeze a real lemon directly on there and rub it in with the lemon itself) and baking soda in a nice paste will take it up if allowed to sit, soak and dry.

These are just two examples; there is a slew of additional information out there for how to use these three ingredients as cleaning and sanitizing agents and no warning label is required!

Sure it might take a little patience in waiting for these natural cleaners to do their job effectively but then again, how does that saying go? Oh yeah, ‘it was worth the wait’! The planet and your own health will thank you.

Appliance Series Maintenance of the Oven

One of the more heavily used appliances in the home the oven (stove) is far more likely to need cleaning, repair and maintenance. It is not difficult to keep the oven in solid working order when just a few simple steps are taken to ensure it lives a long and functional life.

☼ I know I will sound like a broken record here but cleaning the oven is the best way to keep it in top shape! The outside and door seal can be wiped down with warm soapy water to remove grime. For those who have a window in the door and want a streak free view in, use white vinegar and wipe it down with newspaper. Yes seriously, it will be streak free and sparkling! This can be done on all glass -- mirrors, windows, car windows, etc.

☼ Try to clean up spills right away to avoid baking on.

☼ Some models have a self cleaning feature which basically incinerates anything spilled in the oven and it allows the residue to be wiped out with a damp sponge. It will utilize energy but no harmful chemicals are sprayed into the air or the cavity in which we all prepare our foods so this would be a serious trade off decision.

☼ For those who do not have this feature however (like me) I found a better solution than spray on foams which contain propellant and other chemicals. Mix up 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda, a few drops of dish soap and 3-4 tablespoons of white vinegar. Make a paste, spread all over the inside and let sit for fifteen to thirty minutes. Wipe down using plenty of warm water and use a green scrub sponge if necessary to remove more stubborn stains.

☼ If the oven is beyond what seems repairable mix equal parts salt, water and baking soda into a paste. Apply and heat the oven to approximately 500 degrees and cook the mixture on for about an hour. Once cool a damp sponge should take care of the incinerated cleaner. (I have not actually tried this one myself but may do so at my dad’s rental property, I’ll keep you informed how it goes!)

☼ Unless there are spills, it is only necessary to clean the inside of the oven a couple times a year. Always be sure to wipe the inside of the oven to dry after cleaning.

☼ Make sure the temperature you set is the one you get. Pick up an oven thermometer to ensure the oven’s thermostat is in solid working order. Center a rack and enter the thermometer on that rack then turn on the oven to the standard temperature you use to cook with for about fifteen minutes (about 350 is good). Some fluctuation is normal but for differences of fifteen to twenty five degrees either way the thermostat should be replaced.

☼ Be sure there are no electronic malfunctions as this could potentially lead to bigger problems. Call a qualified repairman to service the oven if anything malfunctions.

Please note that these tips do not include information for continuous cleaning ovens as I personally have had no experience with this style oven. While doing research however it appeared that 99% of the stuff that was safe for conventional and self cleaning models was not safe for a continuous clean oven. It is always best to check the owners manual or manufacturer website prior to doing any cleaning or maintenance on an appliance but with a little ingenuity we can keep our entire kitchen sparkling naturally!

Appliance Series Small Appliance Maintenance

I was planning to do an entire post on just microwaves but as I dug around I began to discover that many of the cleaning products and maintenance tips I would be suggesting for it also worked with other small appliances in the home. When it comes to small appliances such as the microwave, coffee maker, toaster or other counter top units there is one universal theme for proper maintenance and increased life -- keep them clean!

Microwave
The microwave is such a popular small appliance that it can quickly become grungy and grimy. Suggestions for cleaning this piece are:
► Unplug it.
► Remove the glass tray and ring and either hand wash with soapy water or put in the dishwasher when running the vinegar cycle.
► To remove hard to get splatters and eliminate odors, put two - four tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl full of water and run on high for 5 - 7 minutes. As the water boils the steam will help to loosen stuck on food and vapors from the lemon will mitigate yucky smells. Be sure to use a soft cloth that will not scratch the inside. Old torn up T-shirts made into rags are perfect for this!
► Just like all other appliances, using a warm, soapy water wash around the door seal will ensure a proper fit and eliminate gaps. That soapy water will make the outside sparkle as well. Be sure to thoroughly clean off any soap residue from the inside prior to cooking.
► The soft bristle toothbrush we used on other appliances is an excellent item for cleaning out air vents to ensure energy efficiency.
► Check interior light and replace the bulb when it burns out

Coffee Maker
I personally feel that coffee is one of the best inventions on the planet but even though the grounds and filter (if unbleached) may be good for a compost pile, the stains or clogs they can leave behind are not good for the machine that brews it. I suggest:
► Unplug it.
► Fill the 12 cup carafe to eleven cups water. Add one cup white vinegar. Run this through the machine twice then follow with a cycle of plain water.
► Sometimes the vinegar taste can linger past one clear water cycle so lemon juice is an alternative to vinegar (it will not be as effective at cutting stains)
► Run the carafe and coffee basket through the dishwasher when running the vinegar cycle for a good cleaning or soak in a mixture of a half carafe’s worth of water, ¼ cup lemon juice and 2 scoops of baking soda. Let it sit about a half hour (longer if heavily stained) scrub with a sponge and rinse clean. It is good to clean the machine and accessories about every two months (more for heavy coffee drinkers).

Toaster Oven
An awesome addition to any kitchen is the toaster oven. On a hot summer night when the oven is too much or simply to put a nice brown crust on a piece of bread, this compact little wonder will get the job done. But with all that bread comes crumbs and the high heat will cause baking on. For cleaning this machine:
► Unplug it.
► Pull out the crumb tray on the bottom and dump it then clean in warm, soapy water to remove any caked on food. If the model does not have a removable tray shake the crumbs out into the sink or trash can.
► Get the toothbrush back out and use it to gently remove any baked on food from the metal protection plate that sits over the bottom heater lamps as well as anywhere else inside the machine. It is also ideal for cleaning dust and grime from the air vents and scrubbing the glass window door.
► Vinegar will cut through stains on the glass like crazy!
► Be sure the machine is completely dry prior to plugging back in and using.
► Only plug in when in use to avoid drawing phantom power

Tune in Saturday for the final installment of the Appliance Maintenance Series -- The Stove / Oven.

But for now, take a break from cleaning tomorrow and prepare to enjoy Eco-Fashion Friday with featured designer Marang97 who uses upcycled T-shirts in very creative ways.

Appliance Series -- How to Care for and Maintain a Dishwasher

Most everyone has a dishwasher located right next to the sink and we love our little water pumping, sanitizing boxes! A dishwasher is one of the most effective appliances for ensuring health as it uses far hotter water than we would use hand washing to ensure removal of food and possible bacteria that can accumulate on our eating implements and storage containers. It is vital to keep this machine in good working order so it continues to provide these functions and there are super simple steps to take as it is one of the lesser maintenance appliances to care for.

☼ Make sure the gasket is not cracked or dried out. Rubberized pieces are some of the first to go as they wear quicker. A broken gasket will mean water on the floor or under the machine and this can cause mold if left over time. Each model is a bit different but all owner’s manuals will provide info for how to remove and replace (as well as clean) the gasket.

☼ Keep food from collecting in the holes. It might seem counterproductive to rinse dishes before putting in the machine (as well as a waste of water!) but all those particles have to go somewhere and most often they get trapped in the drain or filter at the bottom of the washer. Again the manual will guide through removal and cleaning of filters. This will ensure particles are kept away from the motor as well. In addition, a soft toothbrush is a fabulous tool for gently cleaning the holes in the spray arm.

☼ Give the dish racks a once over. When removing the racks to clean the interior, inspect them for cracks or rust spots. It is not healthy for the residue to remain on dishes and the chipped bits can also become lodged in drain holes. Appliance shops or the manufacturer can replace the rack for a nominal fee if any; if there was a warranty be sure to check it when replacing any of the parts.

☼ Clean the outside of the machine. Many of the newer models steam clean the dishes so to ensure the proper closure and avoid gaps that can release too much steam, potentially causing accidents, make sure to wipe any food or grime off the inside lip and outside of the door.

☼ Do not overload the machine. Pay special attention to the ability of the spray arm to spin and evenly distribute water so all dishes are cleaned and sanitized.

☼ Double the work is not necessary. To avoid film or residue be sure to read the manual and use a detergent type** that best suits the machine to avoid having to hand wash just cleaned dishes.
**As a side note, I was over at our fearless contributor Melissa’s house one afternoon and she was explaining the non-awesomeness of a couple eco friendly detergents she has tried of late. I have asked when she has some time to get us a full report but the short version is -- just because it is marked as environmentally friendly does not mean it is if the residue left behind either will not come off (causing a need to toss & repurchase perfectly good items) or must be hand washed to be removed (using extra water unnecessarily).

☼ Get the cleaner even cleaner! Toss about a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for a while (half hour to an hour) then run the machine through a cycle on the hottest temperature possible. In an effort to not waste the water, this is a perfect time to run through smaller items that are undesirable to be in with food containers such as small trash barrels, toothbrush holders, flower vases, ashtrays, mop buckets, etc. Doing this every 3-4 months is good on average, but for larger families, or those who run more than one load per day (restaurants), more often is recommended. If there are strong odors to eliminate from the drain, a few teaspoons of baking soda or lemon juice should do the trick.

Keeping up with the dishwasher will keep it in proper working order for years to come and will help everyone in the family stay healthy too.

Up next in the continuing appliance series -- Care and Maintenance of the Microwave

Continuing on the Appliance Theme -- Washers and Dryers

After writing yesterday’s post about the importance of maintaining the refrigerator I began thinking there must be a way to do similar, easy maintenance to the other appliances in our homes. As I was waking up over my morning coffee and blog postings I read the most recent post from ecogeneration and was completely blown away. It was as if she reached right into my brain and wrote the very thing I was hoping to find information on. Nothing is cooler than when things like that happen.

The story regarded the issues she faced with a yucky washing machine situation and just what was required to fix it. Here is a small snippet of the post:

“My clothes started to smell like mold and mildew. Towels and my husband’s favorite soft worn out t-shirts started to smell worse after I washed them. I thought it was due to my son’s athletic socks. My husband thought I didn’t use soap. He even brought home flowery smelling fabric softeners, thinking that was the problem – not using strong enough fragrant detergents and fabric softeners. I admit, I rarely used fabric softeners because I was so sensitive to strong odor and my kids had very sensitive skin but I didn’t think not using fabric softener was the cause for bad odor. I knew I did everything that the manual said - I used High Efficiency detergent and I didn’t overload the washing machine so I was perplexed as to why newly washed clothes smelled so bad.

It turns out, the problem wasn’t any of the things I did. It was what I didn’t do. I found out, through an exhaustive search on the internet - because the manufacturer or the place where we bought the machine were not helpful at all - that the machine that was cleaning my clothes also needed to be cleaned!! What? I need to “clean” the washing machine? I scoffed. But a further research revealed the following reasons why I needed to do that.”

Awesome, no? She goes on to explain not only how to clean out the problem but exactly what eco cleaning product used to really get the job done with super powers. Not to mention there are before and after photos that will blow you away as well.

To continue reading this fantastic story and maintenance tutorial for laundry appliances (some dryer tips too!), please head over to ecogeneration’s post Laundry Maintenance.

Leave her a comment or two if you like what you read!

♥love♥

Natures Source Toilet Bowl Cleaner

In a recent trip out to acquire some cleaning supplies I came across a product called Nature’s Source toilet bowl cleaner. Upon inspection of the label, the ingredients are listed as natural and since I was in the market for this very product (and not yet brave enough to test mixing for the vinegar method) I decided to pick it up. Overall I must say I am fairly satisfied with this product and would likely purchase it again.

The cost was somewhere around $2.50 for 24 oz size. As compared to some of the chemical based products that run upwards of $4.00 for the same volume, I found the price to be fantastic. The nozzle was easy open for grownups but would not be as easy for kids as it is a squeeze and turn style. Due to this type of top however, the bottle leaked some after use so it had to be sponge cleaned prior to putting it away which was a bummer as that was unnecessary waste. It is not the thickest formula but it did adhere to the sides relatively well and did not sink to the bottom of the bowl immediately.

The packaging noted that the cleaner is “plant based” so I reviewed the website to discover it is born from coconut and palm kernel oils.** Also used is: purified water, lactic acid and xanthan gum (fermented glucose). It is unclear if the lactic acid is derived from a milk base or other sources such as cornstarch, potato or molasses (rendering the product vegan). The one disappointing ingredient is the addition of synthetic dyes & fragrance although the bottle says there are only “small amounts”.

The fragrance does give the cleaner a fruity, pleasant smell which was more enjoyable than some. I would say this cleaned equally as well as any chemical based cleaner I have used in the past and I only left it on for about the same amount of time as usual (about fifteen minutes). The bottle itself is made from 25% post-consumer plastic, is recyclable and the S.C. Johnson Greenlist promise symbol is displayed proudly.

With all of that said I have decided to grant Nature’s Source toilet bowl cleaner a Three Leaf Rating!

Taking out those synthetic substances, listing the source of the lactic acid and improving on the cap design so there is no leakage would be some improvements I could suggest to garner the coveted Five Leaf Rating but it is nice to see such a solid effort being made already, keep up the trend S.C. Johnson!

**I know there has been talk as to the validity of the environmental benefits of coconut oil and although I do not dispute that it is a compelling argument, I personally feel happier using something that is plant based and biodegradable rather than man made with chemicals. In the event of leeching I feel safer with plant based oil. This is a personal decision and I welcome comments as to your own thoughts and feelings on the subject!

Spring in New England

New England is an interesting place when it comes to weather, most of us use the quote “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” as a mantra. March is a month where this is a very accurate statement as the temperature on this day in 1989 recorded a low of 9, but conversely, a high of 68 in 1946. Throughout my life I remember the weather being just about everywhere in between during this transition month. Yes technically it is still winter for a couple more weeks, this I am aware of as another potential snow storm looms for Monday, but this weekend is supposed to be anywhere from 40-62 degrees depending on geographic location and that is good enough for me to call today a Spring day!

Since it is rare to see such warm, sunshine skies in early March, I am pulling the flip flops out of the back of the closet and heading outdoors to take advantage of the free heat that the sun provides. It will be nice to get some exercise and fresh air after being cooped up indoors for the entire winter. While we are out on our journey the windows to our apartment will be open wide letting in some much needed air circulation to ensure we avoid further illness. It is easy being Green when the skies are clear and the weather is nice.

Spring fever is setting in so I can not wait to stop talking about issues with rock salt and instead start discussing SPF or tasty, vegan summer treats. I hope the weather in your neck of the globe is just as lovely today and you all take advantage of the spark of magic in the air then get outside to enjoy the temperatures with a smile!

I Want to Express Great Gratitude

It is hard to believe that it is the first day of the second month of a new calendar year. Since starting this blog in mid October of last year I have logged over ninety five posts, only three of which were not mine and it has been rewarding as well as exciting to dive even deeper into the world of eco love to find all these pearls and gems to share. Without many bloggy friends these posts would not have been possible and I sincerely want to thank everyone who has shared their stories, ideas, thoughts and posts with the readers out there. Also all of you who come back to read these posts every day you are truly awesome and it makes me so happy to know you are enjoying this blog. I would be writing it even if no one was reading but to know there are so many of you interested, concerned and open to discussing environmental topics makes my smile beam!

As the spring heats up and so do the temperatures I fully intend to rub the hibernation from my eyes and get back out into this great big world of ours to explore. I will be doing my best to continue posting as often as I have been up to now but there could be times when I skip a day or two so please do not hold it against me. Instead I strongly encourage everyone to get out there on those days and conceive of your own eco ideas and put them into practice!

Some of the items I discovered I must follow up with as February rolls on are…

☼ Matt posting his final entry on the entertainment center. Part I is here, Part II here.

☼ Me getting in touch with our local public schools to discuss recycling bin availability.

☼ Changing all our bulbs to CFLs (there are 2 left & will be replaced as they die out)

☼ Join 41pounds.org to reduce my junk mail.

☼ Begin replacing all petroleum based products with more natural counterparts (shampoo, dish liquid, packaged items, etc.)

Looking forward to continuing this great journey together in 2009! Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for your unyielding support.

My Pile of Laundry Was Growing

And it was starting to stink because I was feeling pretty bad about using the petroleum based detergent and disposable dryer sheets I was storing under the kitchen sink to get it clean. I had been using these products for many years but now, as more and more environmental information begins to sink in, it was causing me distress to consider pouring more nastiness down the drain. But…I told myself that no matter what the ingredients, it was better to use what I had before buying something new so at the end of this past week when we finally ran out of the bad for the Earth detergent, Matt volunteered to walk down to the grocery store to pick up some more. He assured me that he would be reading each label based on the factors that are most important to us.

The first thing Melissa wrote for Green Leaf was a review of a few laundry detergents. What she quickly discovered and shared with us is that some of the products saying they are super green may not be so eco-friendly after all due to the use of coconut based surfactants; controversy over the harvesting of these oils due to the potential impact it has on a rainforest became the topic raised. After reading that I was most definitely stumped and wondered what in creation I could do to actually wash my clothing without having an impact on the planet in some way.

My conclusion was to weigh all the options, determine the least impactful trade off for my family’s personal needs and not feel bad about my decision because I was at least making a well informed choice.

The issues that were important to our family in regard to the impact laundry detergents have on the environment (on a global level as well as a personal level) are:

1. Perpetuating the use of petroleum based products
2. Discovering renewable resource ingredients
3. Spending less money for something that will last longer
4. Removing the burned laundry smell (frequently occurs with coin-op machines)
5. Soft, static free fabrics (especially at this dry time of year)

When taking all of these issues into account, looking up information on each product, its ingredients and associated terms, as well as re-reading the information Melissa provided as a fantastic jumping off guide, we determined that Arm & Hammer Essentials detergent and Ultra Downy were the right products for us.


Here is how they fit into the list of our vital family factors:

1 & 2. Neither product uses petroleum based products in the detergent itself, both are derived from plant based resources: detergent - coconut oil, softener - cationic surfactant which, based on the P&G pdf link for Fabric Conditioner, looks to be corn based ethanol. (Without getting too scientific the basic definition of cationic is: a positively charged ion that moves toward a negative ion, and surfactant is: a substance that lowers tension of water once dissolved (soap) allowing organic compounds (dirt) to become more soluble)

3. Both products were purchased collectively for just over the cost of one bottle of Seventh Generation detergent (which contains similar ingredients) and after about seven loads (including our heavy comforter) we still have more than half a bottle left.

4 & 5. Since we chose the fabric softener free of dyes and perfumes but the detergent with a mountain rain scent there was a slight burned smell lingering on some loads (sheets specifically) but mostly they were all soft, static free and smelling like clean laundry. Though as a side note, I just sniffed the liquid in both bottles just to see how it compared to the smell of the clean fabrics and I am not joking when I tell you that the fabric softener smells exactly like Elmer’s Glue. Very strange and will likely open up a new can of research into what ingredients make up that product to see if they are at all similar.
Due to all of these factors, as well as the knowledge that both bottles can be recycled, I am granting a Four Leaf Rating to both of these products.

In a global capacity, I have no idea where these products would be placed on a greenness scale, I do not know who or what would determine that type of mass rating system, but on a personal level I feel that we made a well informed, thoroughly researched decision to purchase products which have a greater positive impact in our environment. Each time we purchase a necessary product using these types of personal guidelines we are helping to reduce waste, save money and garnering a good value as well as performance.

Wine Is Just Recycled Grapes

Last night it was my pleasure to be invited to the first meeting of the newly formed Bennetts Brook Green Group. Melissa has decided to get off her duff and get mucho involved in spreading the word about all things environment so with the help of her neighbor Julie, some suggestions from the cool gals at EnviroMom and a passionate desire to buck the perception that suburban moms do not care about the planet, the group met at her place last night.

There were twelve of us in total and a mix of not only gender but age as well! Her neighbor directly across the street is definitely over fifty and proudly admitted to having been doing this type of stuff for years (most notably saving all his coffee grounds to utilize for his acid loving garden plants). If possible the three guys who showed up were possibly even more vocal than us gals. Yippie!

The forum was open, more a share and chat style, but still maintained a loose organization of topics, themes and issues that Melissa and Julie shared responsibility in putting out there. If I did not know better there is no way I would have known this was their first meeting. It all flowed seamlessly.

Most of the food and drink were organic options (from the beer to the wine to the coffee to the crackers) and since she was not sure how many people would show up Melissa also purchased plastic cups, which she made a point to mention would all be washed and reused or recycled. After some quick introductions and a little snack it was time to get down to business.

The night began with an introduction to how and why the group formed, an impromptu discussion of local organizations and potentially forming a neighborhood share style program where sharing of tools or even grocery shopping will become forefront instead of everyone driving all over to do these things individually or purchase items used only once when a neighbor might have it to lend.

Later in the evening we shared our confessions of what we all do that we wish we did not (I of course admitted to smoking and was surprised that some attendees would not have thought of this as environmentally harmful). Everything was shared from driving large gas gulping SUVs (due to the size of her family of six and not finding an alternate reliable option as of yet), to tossing paper to (shock!) not recycling at all. The good news is that clearly we all want to change those ways or we would not have been in attendance.

The confession portion of the evening was the perfect segue into what each of us are currently doing to, as Melissa put it, “get off the fence” and get involved by doing. Melissa has signed up with 41pounds.org and will let us know how it works as soon as her kit arrives. Other attendees have begun sending credit card offers back in the enclosed prepaid envelope (I also know someone who does this and it greatly reduced the number of offers he received), using Mrs. Meyers cleaning products and composting.

When I first asked Melissa to allow me to interview her for Green Leaf Reviewer she was nervous that as a “suburban mom” she would be flamed for trying to say she was environmental. Well to be perfectly honest, if anything, it made me more excited to interview her and last night was the culmination of proving that no matter where a person chooses to live they can still be interested in helping the planet; no matter what a person drives they might just be doing 1000 things to offset that impact. The first step, just like Julie and Melissa showed us last night, is to stop talking about it and simply make the change in our own lives because how does that saying go again? Oh yeah…

Even the longest journey begins with the first step.

Spreading It Around With Three Green Leaves

Since starting this blog I have had so much encouragement for the effort and so many suggestions of topics to discuss that I was overwhelmed and excited all at the same time! It was wonderful to see that so many people were committed to living more eco-friendly lives and I was thrilled to share information with them.

One of the topics raised with my sister in law was that of household cleaning products. She was already doing some research on various products so I asked if she would be interested in completing a write up on her findings so I could share it with everyone. She was definitely excited to dig into the topic even deeper and she emailed me her final piece just the other day.

When I got to the end of the editorial I noticed she was unsure how many leaves to give to each company so the ratings posted below are my interpretation of each strictly based on her findings; I intend to do some research into this topic myself as I am currently using one of the products she mentions. I love the way it works and was pleased at its lack of environmental impact but now I also feel it requires more investigating as Melissa has indicated.

So without further ado, here is her first GLR piece!

The Jury Is Still Out

A big ol' can of worms

OK, for me, the whole issue of what constitutes a "green" laundry detergent just got murkier.

I have been using Seventh Generation laundry detergent almost exclusively for about six months, and feeling pretty good about that, though I knew in my head I didn't really deserve to feel pretty good about it, since I simply picked it up because it was in the "green" section of my grocery store. It's the same kind of shortcut as voting the party line because you were too lazy to read up on the candidates (not that I've ever been guilty of that! not me!).

Cut to last weekend, when I ventured to a different grocery store. I was walking up the detergent aisle and two labels leapt off the shelf at me: One was for Purex Natural Elements, and the other was for Arm & Hammer Essentials. I'd never seen either of these products before, so I picked up both bottles and noticed that they shared "coconut-based surfactant" as a key ingredient.

OK, so a little less call for petroleum...a good thing, right? And my mind started turning over what it means (if anything) for some of the more traditional suppliers of detergents to begin offering greener alternatives.

A case of consumer demand making inroads into the manufacturers' consciousness? One would hope. Or a sop to shush up those consumers while these mega-manufacturers continue to rely on the same old (none-too-eco-friendly) brands as their flagship products? ("Hey, we're trying...yawn.") I am not a person who inherently distrusts all corporations as evil empires, but my healthy skepticism was activated.

Foggier and foggier

Well, lo and behold, turning my Seventh Generation bottle around at home revealed that its key ingredient, likewise, was derived from coconut. Now I was more confused...did this validate the new, big-brand offerings, or lessen the shine on my Seventh Gen stuff? Hmmm.

So off I went to Treehugger to see what they had to say. My search didn't reveal anything much about Purex's offering, but they definitely weren't thrilled about Arm & Hammer's product. Here is an excerpt from Arm and Hammer Essentials (not so fast!):

"Since they think 'Treehuggers' are their target market I think we should let them know that the product has some merits, but using palm kernel oil and coconut oil isn't one of them.

Reduced packaging is great. Reduced energy for transportation is great. Saving money is great. Using an ingredient that promotes the severe deforestation of Southeast and Pacific Asia, not so much... "

Uh, yikes! I knew there had to be a catch!

Coconut: Savior of the planet or...?

While trying to learn more about the coconut connection, I found another Treehugger reference to a "green" cleaner in another category -- Clorox's Green Works cleaners -- not being all it's cracked up to be, due to the coconut issue. Here are two excerpts from Introducing Clorox’s Green Works Cleaners:

"They say their alkyl polyglucoside comes from coconut oil and their ethanol and glycerine from corn oil; while that's better than using petroleum-derived alternatives, there are still major issues with rainforest habitat destruction relating to harvesting coconut oil ..."

"Treehugger's final take on that: "Green Works is better than a conventional alternative, but not perfect."

Anyway, I started to wonder why the coconut-based surfactant is bad for Arm & Hammer but OK for Seventh Generation -- at least from Treehugger’s perspective. Maybe there's some subtle difference that would only be known to chemists. I didn't find an answer so far, but I'm still looking.

So for those keeping score at home:

Purex, Arm & Hammer, Clorox and even (sniff) Seventh Generation will all receive an honorable Three Green Leaves due to their commitment to attempt to be more Earth friendly and the strides they are taking to get there ahead of the pack.

The jury is out, it would seem. Anyone have anything illuminating to say on this topic? I hope so! The takeaway here seems to be that we all need to do the legwork before assuming anything is really as good as it sounds. Sigh. I won't be pouring my Seventh Generation detergent down the drain (other than in the usual clothes-washing sense), but my feel-good vibe is not quite what it was, at least until proven otherwise.

Note: For a fairly detailed explanation of what to consider, in looking for laundry detergents, you can check out The Green Guide report and jump to its product comparison...however, there are not a lot of reviews in to date.