John asks…
“Planet” brand cleaning products… do you like them?
I just bought some dry dishwasher detergent and some laundry detergent that are from the “Planet” line… has anyone used these? I tried the dishwasher detergent and it doesn’t seem too great, BUT, I just moved to an apartment and I could just have a crappy dishwasher!
I want to use eco–friendly products… but I want ones that WORK!
Thoughts?
The Expert answers:
Hi there,
I’ve had the very same problem with automatic dishwasher cleansers. I did some research and found on Dr. Weil’s site that he too agreed that the natural auto dishwasher cleansers don’t work well.
I found I had to re-wash most of the time. Then of course you are wasting water and detergent. Not eco-friendly either.
Apparently for now, there is nothing that really works.
That being said, I found adding a bit of 20 Mule Team Borax (a natural cleanser) to the dish powder helps to clean very well. It’s also great for laundry and general cleaning. It can be found with laundry cleansers at your grocery store. It’s a large cardboard box and comes in a powder form.
For general cleaning I have found Method products to work very, very well. I found most natural cleansers left residue behind, these do not.
I buy mine at Target generally, though they seem to be available in more stores now as well.
I found this online regarding Borax for dishwashers.
“Recipe for Dishwasher Soap
Dishwasher soap is easy to make, and cost effective. I mix up a batch in an empty canister, and pour it in the dishwasher as needed.
Mix and use per dishwasher load:
1 Tablespoon Borax
1 Tablespoon Baking soda
OR
Mix equal parts Borax and Baking Soda, and add 2 Tablespoons per load. Increase proportion of soda for hard water. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Lorraine
Finding the Right Combo
I personally tried using just baking soda, just borax, and a mixture of the two but none of those worked. What does work for me is mixing baking soda and borax with my dishwasher soap. I fill a container half full with the dishwasher soap then a quarter baking soda and quarter borax. I also use vinegar instead of Jet Dry in the rinse dispenser.
Janice
Extend Detergent
Oh yes! For several months, I used a simple combination of 1/2 Borax and 1/2 baking soda and found that my dishes came out sparkling and spot free. I liked this mix because I felt it was easier on our aerobic septic system than regular dish detergent alone. However, I discovered some of the dishes were not getting totally clean (I like to just throw them in the washer with only minimal scrubbing). I began to pour a tiny amount of Cascade (bought with a coupon, of course) in the dispenser then covered it with the other mix. I am very pleased with this combination and it takes only seconds to do! I add Borax to my powdered laundry detergent as well to make it last longer. With three children, Borax and baking soda have been major dollar stretchers to our budget.
KT”
Good luck!
Priscilla
Sanctuary Design
Portland, Maine
Nancy asks…
How to get Eco friendly certificates in India.?
I am producing non woven products by recycled water bottles. And I want to know how I can get Eco friendly certificate from indian Govt or any other organization. Please help
The Expert answers:
You can get the certificate of compostability or Eco-friendly in the way having test on the product, such this organization are the following ASTM, FDA, etc. That the Indian Government has.
Sharon asks…
what hair products are bad for the earth, like that are eco friendly.?
The Expert answers:
Bad aerosol hairspray.
Donna asks…
Would you be more likely to buy a pair of mittens if they were Eco-friendly?
Just started a new website, where the artist finds old sweaters at thrift shops and goodwill and recycles them into new mittens.
http://www.recycledwarmth.com/mittenshopping.html
Would you be more likely to purchase these if the advertising said they were Eco–friendly?
Take a look at the mittens that are currently for sale, do they look like quality products?
The Expert answers:
I think they are a great idea – and I’d buy them!
I’d also want to know that they were made from recycled textiles from charity shops and how this made them environmentally friendly.
Good luck!
Lizzie asks…
animal friendly products?
Does anybody know of beauty products (shampoo, skin care, cosmetics) that are not expensive and eco–friendly/ animal friendly?
The Expert answers:
There are lots of ecofriendly lines out there! Some of my favorites are Collective Wellbeing, Zia, Avalon Organics, Alba, J/A/S/O/N, Kiss My Face, Garden Botanika, and Beauty Without Cruelty. There are still lots out there though, try your local food co-op (if there is one) or even some drug/food stores have an organic section that will carry these lines. Hope this helps!
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