Happy Blog Action Day!
Happy Blog Action Day, mes amis! What is Blog Action Day? Well, it’s thousands of bloggers uniting to raise awareness about the environment! So, consider this your public service announcement for today. If you have a blog and think “green” causes are important, feel free to save a copy of that banner and put a post up today!
Well, aside from talking about former Vice President Al Gore’s Nobel Prize win and his amazing environmental campaign, I have a story from The Early Show about “green” cleaning products:
Many cleaning products claim they’re friendly to the environment, but there are no government standards to make them prove it.
So, Consumer Reports’ Shop Smart magazine took a closer look to see how “green” they really are — and how well they get stains out!
Consumer Reports senior editor Mandy Walker stopped by The Early Show Friday with the results.
Sales of green household cleaners grew to roughly $4.3 billion in 2005, the latest year for which such data is available, up 11 percent from 2004.
The number of green alternatives continues to rise, as more and more people choose them over non-green offerings.
Green home cleaning products are typically made from natural ingredients, designed to reduce consumers’ exposure to harsh chemicals, and are generally environmentally-friendly.
Continue the story and see a list of the b5media blogs that are participating in Blog Action Day after the jump!
But buyer beware: Terms such as “natural” and “environmentally-friendly,” and other claims that appear on product labels, aren’t regulated or verified by Washington. In other words, there are no solid definitions to determining is and isn’t green.
You may remember when organic food was once the same way; it took some time for the government to decide what makes an apple or a chicken legitimately organic.
In its testing, Consumer Reports came across some cleaning products that aren’t as green as they might seem.
For example, Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Gel claims to break down in the environment, but Consumer Reports found that the product contains a petroleum-derived agent that doesn’t biodegrade easily.
So, how do you know you’re buying a truly green cleaning product? Check the label for the following:
Plant-based ingredients: All green products should list their ingredients. Once you start looking for them, you’ll notice that most traditional cleaners don’t list their ingredients. When you read through the list, you should recognize most of the words; there shouldn’t be any chemicals, chlorine bleach or ammonia.
Concentrated formulas: Many green products are highly-concentrated and suggest mixing with water before use. These formulas require less packaging and less fuel to ship.
Multiple uses: You’ll also notice that green products seem to be able to tackle many more tasks than traditional, non-green cleansers. The reasoning here is that the more jobs a cleaner does, the fewer products you need to buy, which cuts waste.
Green products tend to cost more than non-green cleansers. According to Consumer Reports, the difference can be anywhere from 10 percent to 30 percent.
For example, check out these prices from a local Target:
Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleanser $3.29; 409 All Purpose Cleanser $2.29
Seventh Generation Lavender Dish Soap $2.89; Palmolive Lavender Dish Soap $2.29
That may make you wonder: Is it worth paying more to clean green?
That, says Walker, is totally subjective. Many conventional cleaners contain toxic chemicals. Some people believe it’s better for their health, and particularly for their children’s health, to not be exposed to these chemicals. The chemicals can also be worrisome for those with asthma or breathing problems.
Other consumers are mainly concerned with the products’ impact on the environment, and feel it’s worthwhile to pay more for earth-friendly items.
Of course, nobody would want to use the products if they didn’t perform well.
Reviews on the effectiveness of green products compared to non-green are mixed. Some people feel they’re great, while others disagree.
Consumer Reports recently tested dishwashing powders and gels, and found four green products that matched or beat their conventional competition. Consumer Reports hasn’t released results on other home cleansers recently; the product category is growing so fast, it’s hard to keep up!
To read the Consumer Reports article on the effectiveness and environmental friendliness of green cleaners, click here.
I am an environmentally conscious person but I am very cautious when it comes to cleaners. For the most part, I have stayed with my regular brands but have committed to using the more harsh items when absolutely necessary. I’ve also learned to just do without certain things and use natural things that I can throw together myself. I use baking powder to clean the upper shelves in my refrigerator and vinegar and newspaper on my windows, for example. Sometimes, the best products are right under your nose!
Anyway, to celebrate Blog Action Day, here is a list of the other b5media blogs that are participating!
- Hippie Sounds
- Offbeat Homes
- Tree Hugging Family
- Simply Thrifty
- Declutter It!
- The Golden Pencil
- Taxgirl
- Yielding Wealth
- Six and Out
- PittWatch
- Geeky Traveller
- Inside Motherhood
- Idol Stalker
- Daytime Talk
- Oz Music Scene
- The Sydney Traveler
- The Rock Dose
- Our Digital Music
- Copyblogger
- Problogger
- Quilting and Patchwork
- Alzheimer’s Notes
Tags: blog action day, b5media, green cleaners, environment, eco-friendly, cleansers
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POSTED IN: The Early Show
6 opinions for Happy Blog Action Day!
A'kyra
Oct 15, 2007 at 10:07 am
You know Jeanne, I had the same complaint about “green” items costing more. It’s kind of sick in a way. Think about it. They come out with all these products that are hazardess to the environment and then when they see the environment going to S**t, they want to charge us more for using the environmentally safe products. I mean same goes for food! The healthier foods cost so much more. Shouldn’t this be the other way around?
Good to see I am not the only one that has gone “green” so to speak :)
Jennifer
Oct 16, 2007 at 5:18 am
I left comments everywhere but here. How dumb is that. I really liked this post. Did you see the other consumer reports review this summer about “is it worth it to buy green cleaning stuff — I don’t think it’s the one you’re talking about. Maybe? I’ll have to check. I agree with you that the best cleaners are not ‘cleaners’ at all but natural stuff; lemons, baking soda, etc.
I don’t agree with the above comment about foods though. It cost less to eat healthy as long as you eat simple. I think where people run into issues is when they buy organic (more costly) but also still buy other convenience items or costly conventional like doritos or something. If you’re buying rice, beans, veggies, grains, etc it’s not that much — even organic. As long as people eat simple and close to the earth it can cost less.
A'kyra
Oct 16, 2007 at 6:55 am
Jennifer - I guess you are right about the food not being too expensive. I think it also depends on where you live. I know down here in Miami food is expensive in general. And I did notice that the Organic products are a little more expensive, especially the meats. The organic meats down here are $1-$2 more than the non-organic. But as far as cleaning products and office supplies, they are more expensive. I was put in charge over the summer of “greening the office” and when I went to order the”green” products for the office such as paper, cleaners, etc…it was so much more expensive and that is kind of sad b/c for the most part, people go for the better price.
Thanks for the tip though about eating close to the earth… :)
hoomerogs
Dec 6, 2007 at 3:03 pm
hm.. thank you man
Floroskop
Mar 19, 2008 at 10:36 am
Hello!
I think this try.
A'kyra
Mar 19, 2008 at 10:40 am
I think this try? what does that mean???
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