We've been trying to expand our ecological product usage. Our cleaning cupboard is now full of Ecover cleaners and we're replacing old standbys like bleach with the less toxic vinegar.
After reading the latest edition of The Ecologist, there are enough products to try out to last us year and years. In fact, the more I read, the more I realise how just about everything I use, from my shampoo to our laundry detergent, has a weird array of chemicals. But can I move to happy-hippy beauty products and still fight of the wrinkles? Will our always stained porcelain sink respond to earth friendly Ecover instead of the Ajax that I've used since the dawn of scouring time?
To help answer the questions for ourselves--and give you some insights--I've decided to start a product review once a week. It will be as non-biased and as thorough as possible.
I'm also going to try to bring more concrete research into this so it isn't just the typical blog me me me babble. So if there's anything you'd like to see investigated, let me know. And one of our friends, a top notch reporter, has volunteered to contribute a piece or two when she can.
Product review 001 - Ecover Floor Soap
Pros: Smells great - light and natural with no chemical overhang; actually lifts the dirt off floor unlike some of the harsher cleaners; doesn't leave a residue; rinses well; lasts ages; recyclable packaging (as are all Ecover products); moderate price.
Cons: I wish Ecover would get more competitive with the pricing. This was about 20% more than the mainstream floor cleaners, but to capture the greater market, price really needs to be come down.
Overall: Top marks.
Product review 002 - Ecover dishwasher tablets
Pros: None of the toxins found in normal dishwasher tablets; all packaging used, including the teeny weeny covering on the tabs, is recyclable.
Cons: Covers the dishes in a film; dishes come out looking dirty, sometimes food is still on them, especially compared to mainstream products like Finish; really expensive; have to put water temperature to highest to get dishes even remotely clean; end up rinsing a lot or handwashing after using.
Overall: Needs serious improvement
Product review 003 - Cuvee Gabriel Merlot (South of France)
Pros: We're usually disappointed with the organic wines we try--they tend to lack body --but this one is much fuller and usually tastes great; better if you let it breathe first; can proudly bring it to parties; moderate price (£5.85 at Planet Organic).
Cons: Drinking it now so can't think of any.
Overall: Top marks
Coming soon: Is going green getting more fashionable (just look at the latest Vanity Fair)? What do all of the recycling labels mean? What nations get top environmental marks and why aren't we all following their lead? What ever happened to bottle deposits? Are green box deliveries any good? What really happens in recycling plants? What is ecotricity all about? And more product reviews...
New links:
Global Ideas Bank--another great resource full of information and ideas.
The Meatrix -- a clever reminder on where cheap meat comes from and what's gone wrong with modern day meat production
After reading the latest edition of The Ecologist, there are enough products to try out to last us year and years. In fact, the more I read, the more I realise how just about everything I use, from my shampoo to our laundry detergent, has a weird array of chemicals. But can I move to happy-hippy beauty products and still fight of the wrinkles? Will our always stained porcelain sink respond to earth friendly Ecover instead of the Ajax that I've used since the dawn of scouring time?
To help answer the questions for ourselves--and give you some insights--I've decided to start a product review once a week. It will be as non-biased and as thorough as possible.
I'm also going to try to bring more concrete research into this so it isn't just the typical blog me me me babble. So if there's anything you'd like to see investigated, let me know. And one of our friends, a top notch reporter, has volunteered to contribute a piece or two when she can.
Product review 001 - Ecover Floor Soap
Pros: Smells great - light and natural with no chemical overhang; actually lifts the dirt off floor unlike some of the harsher cleaners; doesn't leave a residue; rinses well; lasts ages; recyclable packaging (as are all Ecover products); moderate price.
Cons: I wish Ecover would get more competitive with the pricing. This was about 20% more than the mainstream floor cleaners, but to capture the greater market, price really needs to be come down.
Overall: Top marks.
Product review 002 - Ecover dishwasher tablets
Pros: None of the toxins found in normal dishwasher tablets; all packaging used, including the teeny weeny covering on the tabs, is recyclable.
Cons: Covers the dishes in a film; dishes come out looking dirty, sometimes food is still on them, especially compared to mainstream products like Finish; really expensive; have to put water temperature to highest to get dishes even remotely clean; end up rinsing a lot or handwashing after using.
Overall: Needs serious improvement
Product review 003 - Cuvee Gabriel Merlot (South of France)
Pros: We're usually disappointed with the organic wines we try--they tend to lack body --but this one is much fuller and usually tastes great; better if you let it breathe first; can proudly bring it to parties; moderate price (£5.85 at Planet Organic).
Cons: Drinking it now so can't think of any.
Overall: Top marks
Coming soon: Is going green getting more fashionable (just look at the latest Vanity Fair)? What do all of the recycling labels mean? What nations get top environmental marks and why aren't we all following their lead? What ever happened to bottle deposits? Are green box deliveries any good? What really happens in recycling plants? What is ecotricity all about? And more product reviews...
New links:
Global Ideas Bank--another great resource full of information and ideas.
The Meatrix -- a clever reminder on where cheap meat comes from and what's gone wrong with modern day meat production
Comments
Namaste
Al