Here at Tree Hugging Family, I mainly advocate making your own homemade green cleaners. Not only is it easy to make simple green cleaners, but very cost effective. That said, there will always be folks who want to buy, not make cleaners, so I figured we should take a look at which store bought cleaners are actually green.
The number one rule for choosing a green store bought cleaner is – read your labels. A pretty waterfall or little green leaf means nothing. Ignore fancy ‘green’ packaging and read your labels.
Terms you want to see on a cleaning bottle include:

Ammonia …read more

Product tried: Biokleen Automatic Dish Powder
Test washes completed: At least eight or ten; we’ve been using it a few weeks.
Cost: About $9-10.00 at my local grocery store, for 32 oz., which is 64 loads, but I’m betting it comes out to more loads then that. Also, I found it at Drugstore.com for a great deal, just $6.59. That’s an outstanding price considering the amount you get.
Website: Again, remember that before I mentioned how Biokleen has a lame website. I still dislike their website. Here’s what I said before (and it still stands).
I’m very disappointed in the Biokleen website.
First off, their …read more

Product: Biokleen All Temperature Laundry Liquid from Biokleen
Cost: Around $9 for 64 oz which equals 64 plus regular loads or 128 HE (high efficiency) loads.
Basics according to the Biokleen:

“Our Laundry liquid removes the toughest dirt, grease, stains and odors, yet is gentle enough for cloth diapers, delicate fabrics and hand washables. Rinses clean without leaving residue on clothes that can irritate skin or ruin fabrics.
Naturally controls stains and odors.
Makes a great pre-treat for stains.
All of the Biokleen liquid and powder laundry products perform well in many different water conditions, including hard water.”

Website:
I’m very disappointed in the Biokleen …read more

Peggy posted a review a bit ago about Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent. She tried the Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear Automatic Dishwasher Powder. She liked it overall but noted that she likes gels better – she gets powder all over.
I’ve always used powder. Actually, I’ve mostly lived sans dishwasher in my life, so technically, I’ve mostly used my good old hands and some dish soap. However, for the last year I have had one, and I’ve used powder the whole time – usually whichever eco-brand that’s on sale. I’ve never had issues and my dishes are always clean. Why …read more