I would like to think we consumers are savvy enough not to fall for the many claims of a products ‘eco-friendly’ nature at face value. The escalating placement of the word ‘green’ on everything from cleaning products to home appliances to automobiles alone should alert us to this likelihood that this word is being misused.
I truly would like to believe we don’t wholesale believe everything we are told. But alas, far too many consumers remain sheep-like in their blind=faith=desire to have the ‘latest, greatest thing’.
This latest marketing scheme has given rise to another term: ‘Eco-farce’, because it more accurately describes an artfully subliminal advertising gimmick devised to make consumers believe we have friends in the corporate world.
The latest ‘eco-friendly’ trend of cleaning ‘green’ comes without regulation, so it can be difficult for consumers to know if the products they are buying are better for the environment or not.
‘Eco-friendly’ doesn't mean anything. . . unfortunately marketers have figured out that people are willing to pay a premium if it says ‘eco’ or ‘green’ on it. The only true way to be sure cleaning solution is ‘eco-friendly’ is to make it yourself. There are many websites dedicated to homemade recipes for safe cleaning solutions.
We need to shake off the idea that a corporation can make the product ‘better’. Convenience, or rather the desire for it, helps keep the chemical manufactures in business.
It can be difficult to tell if the products are environmentally friendly even by looking at the ingredients on the label. Just because a product had natural oils or juices doesn't mean it has a softer impact on the environment.
Consumer advocates say if the label indicates the product is non-toxic it's better for the environment. Stores like Whole Foods have done the homework for you. So you don't have to read the labels. But don’t ever give up reading labels. This is what got us into this mess in the first place. Please, read labels and learn what the ingredients are.
The eco-friendly products can be a little pricier than their more stringent chemical-based products. But you don't have to pay more to go green.
"It's as simple as these basic organic materials," says Jimmie Rogers of Whole Foods. "Lemon juice on the counter tops, olive oil on your furniture. There's all kinds of alternatives. We've got baking soda that's good for cleaning glass especially for your coffee pot."
If you are going to take a chance on eco-friendly products, consumer advocates say it's truly a case of buyer beware.
I am a big believer in spending my money natural whole products, such as vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, and not putting it in corporations pockets who truly do not concern themselves with protecting the environment nearly as much as they do in protecting their financial bottom-line.
Common household products that clean and do not use toxic chemicals: (Secret: they cost less)
- Baking soda
- Borax
- Biodegradable soap
- Washing soda
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
A very short list of websites that list truly ‘eco-friendly’ cleaners without using one ‘toxic chemical’. Please, help us all by using these alternatives to cleaning.
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