Now, I don’t think we need to give Clorox credit for trying, because what they’re trying to do is keep their market share. But I don’t fault them for selling the old stand-bys. If they did NOT keep their other products on the shelves, they would go under. It’s going to have to be a gradual transition, spurred on by consumers and public opinion.

Another point to think about is that when Clorox started making bleach, did anyone really know much about the environment? In other words, I don’t think they started out saying, Let’s be a big old terrible company that makes money and kills trees. That’s purely conjecture though. I could be wrong.

My bias: I LOVE bleach. There, I said it. I completely agree with Dan that we can’t abruptly eliminate products that kill some very resistant and sometimes life-threatening germs!

But I also think ammonia is overkill for cleaning bathroom mirrors! And I like using natural, non-toxic cleaners for the majority of cleaning projects.

So, I’m about half-green, I guess.

There is a difference I suppose in Green Works and that misleading Palmolive eco dishwasher detergent. They call it eco, then don’t disclose the ingredients. There’s a warning near the bottom though — it has chlorine bleach. Nice.

I’m solidly against Clorox, but still can’t imagine not using Burt’s Bees. I suppose our family is addicated. That said, while I do feel that companies are either green or not, there is a process of going green that has to take place. Specifically with older, more established (and perhaps more historically polluting) companies.

I only see benefits in more companies going Green – I think this is the area of most growth, and best opportunities to see change effects. Otherwise, we’d have a small, but growing number of purely green companies only.

Some alternatives to chlorine bleach: What about chlorine-free bleach that usually contains hydrogen peroxide? Also, vinegar has been shown to kill germs. Some companies are also having great success with proving that some natural cleaning combos do kill germs. For instance Cleanwell’s hand soap is shown to kill 99.99 percent of germs and it uses all-natural ingredients like thyme! http://www.cleanwelltoday.com

I can see your problem though. Since you are in the cleaning industry you need some good hard facts and EPA seals of approval. I hope that the cleaning market continues to grow in the more natural way and more tests are done to prove the disinfecting value of many natural ingredients like thyme and others. And vinegar (though it is smelly).

Thanks again for visiting and for your comment.

Another question to ask is “Can we be too green?” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you use Bleach to disinfect surfaces. If we neglect this fact in our schools and in our homes we are doing more harm then good. We need to clean for health not clean for green. I don’t want you to think that I don’t believe in green products, I use them everyday. I just think that there is still a place for traditional products.

I guess I’m cynical because I don’t envision one lonely person fighting for green at Clorox. I kind of envision them wanting to get in on the green product hype to make more sales.

In the first case, it ticks me off and I don’t want to support Clorox products. But then again, if it’s the second scenario, then I want to support that one lonely person and buy the product to show Clorox that green is better and there is a market out there. Who knows?

I tend to think things to death. And that doesn’t work for these kinds of issues. Eventually, you just have to make a decision until another piece of information comes out and you have to change it.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post! ~Karen

I am encouraged that I see other brands like Method in stores like Target. The only problem is that Method is more expensive than Green Works. That’s one reason I tend to promote natural cleaning like in the links to Jennifer’s post at THF and at Big Green Purse. It’s cheaper!

Thanks for coming by.

N.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com