Published: November 15, 2005

Clean Freaks Give the Nod to Green Cleaners

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Seventh Generation Household Cleaner Wins Best Overall in Wall St. Journal Test; Now Available in Local Area Stores

Just because a cleaning product is non-toxic, doesn't mean it can't get the job done on tough stains. That's according to testers at the Wall St. Journal's Catalog Critic. In an independent analysis of the cleaning ability of five non-toxic cleaners conducted by the venerable institution, Seventh Generation's Free & Clear all-purpose cleaner won out in this battle of the eco-cleaners, selected as Best Overall by a panel of "clean freaks."

"Whether it was ancient coffee spots on a white sink or baked-on residue in an oven, Seventh Generation was more effective than any other cleaner, and the fragrance-free formula was literally a breath of fresh air," wrote Elizabeth Blackwell in the Nov. 3 edition of the Wall St. Journal.

For Seventh Generation President Jeffrey Hollender, this result confirms what his company has been saying since 1988, you don't have to sacrifice effectiveness to get a safe household product.

"We are interested in making products that aren't hazardous to the health of our families, but we're also committed to making products that work," Hollender said.

"The average household contains anywhere from 3-25 gallons of toxic materials, most of which are in cleaners. No law requires manufacturers of cleaning products to list ingredients on their labels or to test their products for safety. So we must shoulder the responsibility individually to make sure our home is not only clean but non-toxic too," Hollender said. Hollender offers the following tips to "clean green":

To Detoxify Your Home start with the label

To detoxify your house, first rid your home (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/site/lookup.asp?c=coIHKTMHF&b=83251) of cleaners that are toxic or that you suspect may be toxic because the label says "Warning," "Danger," or "Poison." Do not dispose of them down the drain or in the garbage; your local Department of Public Works can tell you where to take these hazardous household wastes.

When you buy new cleaning products, look for manufacturers who do list all their ingredients on the label and purchase cleaners containing non-petroleum-based surfactants, that are chlorine and phosphate free, that claim to be "non-toxic" and that are biodegradable. Seventh Generation products such as the Lemon Automatic Dishwashing Gel, Free&Clear All Purpose Cleaner, or the Free&Clear Surface and Glass Cleaner are designed to clean as effectively as their petrochemical counterparts, but won't pollute your home in the process.

Cleaning the Oven

Baking soda and water are excellent for cleaning the oven. Sprinkle a cup or more of baking soda over the bottom of the oven, then cover the baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste. Let the mixture set overnight. The next morning the grease will be easy to wipe up because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.

Furniture Polish

Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint vegetable oil. Apply a small amount to a clean cotton cloth and wipe wooden parts of furniture.

Rug Deodorizer

Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Seventh Generation products are available at select natural food and grocery stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Wild Oats and Target stores. For more information or to find a retail location near you, visit www.seventhgeneration.com.

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