Natural Cleaning Products

You may love the scent of your “ocean breeze,” “clean linen” or “spring garden” dryer sheets, but there is another reason why these products are so potent. In reality, they are so laden with toxic, smelly chemicals they actually need the artificial scent to mask it! In the effort to eradicate the dreaded “static cling,” many Americans unknowingly suffer with headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, rashes, difficulty concentrating and faintness caused by their exposure to the fabric softener/dryer sheet chemicals that cling to them day and night. To provide a natural alternative, Nellie’s Dryer Balls offer an innovative way to keep your clothes soft and comfortable, without jeopardizing your health.

While there aren’t many reviews on Amazon, the people who have tried Nellie’s Dryer Balls seem to like them. In fact, 14/18 reviewers would give this product four or five stars and only one person was wholly dissatisfied. One mother comments, “These really work. I have a baby with very sensitive skin. I can use these dryer balls without dryer sheets and his clothes are soft and fluffy. Also, I’ve noticed my towels are fluffier and more absorbent.” She also adds that the material is more resilient than cheaper store brand dryer balls, which fall apart after the second use. Another reviewer likes that the dryer balls make clothes soft, without chemicals or environmental waste.

Even though the press has been largely positive, one Amazon reviewer from Cincinnati, Ohio had a negative review of Nellie’s Dryer Balls. “I used the dryer balls for about 5 months before one split in half,” the reviewer writes. “I contacted the company to request a replacement, but two weeks later I have not received a reply.” The consumer goes on to say there was no shortened dryer time or softer clothes. “I recently discovered that they are made of highly toxic PVC plastic,” the reviewer adds. The “Real Green Girl” blog echoes this sentiment about the dryer balls. “All three of these balls are made out of PVC, poly-vinyl chloride,” the blogger writes. “PVC, number 3 plastic, is the worst of the worst of plastics. It is the most toxic in production, presents problems during its use and creates a nightmare for disposal, with recycling barely and rarely done. In order to soften it, like some toys that are now banned in Europe, additives are added to the PVC. These additives are also very unhealthy, some say toxic, and include chemicals such as the phthalates and lead. PVC is considered the most damaging plastic to the environment.”

Yet, Nellie’s Dryer Balls refuses to be defeated by a little bad press on their seemingly contradictory choice of production materials. They recently released “Nellie’s PVC-Free Dryer Balls.” Additionally, consumers can insert scented soy wax sticks inside the balls to add a bit of fragrance to their wash. For , many consumers noted that it was worth the extra for peace of mind. One reviewer warns that “Kids (and presumably dogs) are really attracted to these things!” So if you want your product to last, keep them safe from the more curious members of the household!

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The Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner is a non-toxic, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic, pet-safe, kid-friendly, kosher-certified cleaning spray that comes in two different varieties; Free & Clear and Green Mandarin & Leaf. This product is designed to de-grease hard surfaces, mop floors and clean countertops effectively, without leaving behind those powerful headache-inducing fumes. Retailing at .99, these products are more expensive than competitive brands, but deals can often be found at sites like www.amazon.com and www.drugstore.com. As with any product, there are pros and cons to choosing this item.

Consumers at Amazon seem to really like the Natural All Purpose Cleaner. People like the “light orange” smell that is not overpowering at all. Some consumers mention that they’ve suffered health problems in the past from cleaning chemicals and they appreciate that there are no harmful ingredients in this cleaner. They also like that it works “as good as any chemical-filled product,” as reviewer Cherise Everhard puts it. She adds, “I have used it to clean up frozen mud on a window, grease and various miscellaneous spills. I really think it does a fantastic job.”

However, there are a few qualms about the Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner too. Store Trooper Karen Kirkman says she prefers Lysol All-Purpose and that the Seventh Generation didn’t get the stains out of her porcelain sink. In reviews at www.drugstore.com, consumers commented that they sometimes get streaks on mirrors or a filmy residue with this product. Reviewers have described the scent as “fishy,” “chemical” and “strange.” Some of the raters at www.ecohuddle.com said they were disappointed with the “cleaning power” of this product, although they admitted that they’re not really “into cleaning that often” or that they hoped the product would tackle larger messes and stains.

Seventh Generation’s line of green cleaning products, including their Natural All Purpose Cleaner, are looking to inspire more consumers to get into the eco-friendly spirit. The company’s co-founder often pens op-ed pieces for The Huffington Post, mentioning that he feels we should have one gold standard for environmental products that fancy themselves “natural,” “organic” or “green.” The absence of such standards creates a sort of “Wild West” of cleaning products, he says, which sows doubt into the minds of consumers and leads them to fear they’re being led along for the ride as manufacturers charge higher prices; not because the naturally derived ingredients cost more but just because they can.

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Vinegar is one of the oldest home recipes for stain removal using safe and effective ingredients. Of course, not everyone feels comfortable dousing a stain with something so pungent. Vinegar might be good at getting out food stains, but what about mud, sweat and blood? If you’re looking for a well-rated, all-around good stain-busting product, then you may want to try the Ecover stain remover. This Belgian company has been around for almost 30 years creating environmentally friendly household cleaners and sustainable factories.

Though there are only nine reviews, all the Amazon users have high praise for the Ecover stain remover. One consumer said he had to use the product twice to remove a wound stain, but adds, “I can count on it to remove grass stains, dirt, and food stains the first time around.” Another shopper says Ecover removed a year-old ink stain on a pair of khaki pants. “This is by far the best stain remover I have ever used,” another reviewer writes. One man comments that this stain remover even got rid of the dreaded “pit stains” his wife so despised. “It works like the chemical stain sticks and is the best I’ve ever used,” another reviewer says.

Even though there are no negative reviews for the Ecover stain remover online, many “green” seeking consumers are looking for 100% non-toxic ingredients. People who are concerned about adverse health effects and allergies from many cleaning products and personal hygiene products may find little consolation in the Ecover stain remover ingredient list. Sure, there’s no harm in water, alkyl poly glycoside C10-16 (a peptide), sodium chloride (salt), cellulase (an enzyme), citric acid, subtilisin (a protease) or linalool (an essential oil). However, there are some troublesome ingredients. According to www.scorecard.org, the ingredient 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol is a “suspected gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, immunotoxicant and skin/sense organ toxicant.” Another ingredient, ethanol, “causes skin and eye irritation,” according to the Material Safety Data Sheet. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is in a lot of products, including Ecover’s stain remover, and is said to “cause mild irritation on contact with skin, eyes or mucous membranes” and may “cause irritation or allergic reaction.” Sodium lauryl sulfates are the most common source of eye irritation from shampoos and have been found to cause a drying effect on the skin by the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists. One must also wonder what exact ingredients are included in “fragrance,” as the label simply states.

Despite the fact that it isn’t completely devoid of all chemicals, the Ecover stain remover is a relatively environmentally-friendly alternative to most of the other stain removers on the market. The Ecover line has been featured in many prestigious publications, including: TIME Magazine, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Healthwise and Natural Home. For more information about this product, you can visit www.ecover.com. You can buy this product online at www.amazon.com for .99, for .46 at www.herbtrader.com or at most supermarkets and co-ops.

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