Product review: Natural Cleaning Wipes.
[Note: This post is part of my participation in Mom Central, "a one-stop web resource dedicated to providing busy moms with smart household and parenting solutions." In exchange for my honest thoughts on a free sample of Natural Cleaning Wipes, a Green Works™ product, I will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card.]
More than a year ago, our household decided to ditch disposable products such as napkins and paper towels, as part of our continuing quest to leave a smaller footprint on the planet. I used to buy disposable cleaning wipes and use them to clean icky spots like around the toilets and faucets, but I couldn't justify that extra trash, not to mention the expense. Instead, we use regular towels and dishcloths, which are tossed into a small bucket near the kitchen sink (it's less tacky than it sounds); when the bucket is full, the cloths get tossed into the laundry and the bucket is bleached out.
With this product review, I almost passed on the chance, until I saw the word "biodegradable" in the description. While having the strength of the Clorox brand behind it, Green Works has received recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for chemistry that is more environmentally friendly. These wipes also have the Sierra Club's logo on the package, signaling a commitment by the brand to conservation efforts. They're made of cellulose fibers from renewable farm-grown trees and can be used on most household surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. According to the company, "like all Green Works products, [the wipes] are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, are packaged in recyclable canisters and not tested on animals."
I tested the wipes on a number of jobs I typically dread, including cleaning in and around the kitchen garbage can, and around the hall bathroom sink, toilet and counter. The scent was light and pleasant, and the ingredients were gentle enough for me to let the kids use the wipes in their cleaning chores. (Bonus: No more incidents where one kid "accidentally" sprays another kid with cleaning spray.) This sounds cheesy, but it felt decadent, using a disposable product after using towels and washcloths for so long! We have a "greens can" as part of our trash collection, however, so we don't have to put them in the regular trash, which made me feel better.
My gut instinct says that reusable products always trump disposable ones, but I live in an area where drought is almost a sure-thing, which makes me wonder how Earth-friendly my towel-reusing strategy really is. Also, one thing I'm really coming to appreciate is the idea of meeting people where they're at, in order to save the planet. Sure, we could all start eating tofu 24/7 and get rid of our cars, but I know many people who have a "outta my cold, dead hands" mindset when it comes to the conveniences of modern life. If you're currently using regular disposable wipes, these natural cleaning wipes are a great step toward leaving the Earth in a bit better shape than you found it.
If you'd like to do even more for the planet, stop by the Green Works' Green Heroes Grant Program site. Green Works plans to award five grants of $10,000 each to eco-friendly community projects across the United States. Until February 28, 2009, you can nominate eco-friendly community projects for a Green Heroes grant by submitting a photo and short essay about the project. A group of "eco-experts" will narrow the field to 10 projects, and in March, the public gets to vote for their favorite project. The final five will be announced on Earth Day, April 22.
More than a year ago, our household decided to ditch disposable products such as napkins and paper towels, as part of our continuing quest to leave a smaller footprint on the planet. I used to buy disposable cleaning wipes and use them to clean icky spots like around the toilets and faucets, but I couldn't justify that extra trash, not to mention the expense. Instead, we use regular towels and dishcloths, which are tossed into a small bucket near the kitchen sink (it's less tacky than it sounds); when the bucket is full, the cloths get tossed into the laundry and the bucket is bleached out.
With this product review, I almost passed on the chance, until I saw the word "biodegradable" in the description. While having the strength of the Clorox brand behind it, Green Works has received recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for chemistry that is more environmentally friendly. These wipes also have the Sierra Club's logo on the package, signaling a commitment by the brand to conservation efforts. They're made of cellulose fibers from renewable farm-grown trees and can be used on most household surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. According to the company, "like all Green Works products, [the wipes] are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, are packaged in recyclable canisters and not tested on animals."
I tested the wipes on a number of jobs I typically dread, including cleaning in and around the kitchen garbage can, and around the hall bathroom sink, toilet and counter. The scent was light and pleasant, and the ingredients were gentle enough for me to let the kids use the wipes in their cleaning chores. (Bonus: No more incidents where one kid "accidentally" sprays another kid with cleaning spray.) This sounds cheesy, but it felt decadent, using a disposable product after using towels and washcloths for so long! We have a "greens can" as part of our trash collection, however, so we don't have to put them in the regular trash, which made me feel better.
My gut instinct says that reusable products always trump disposable ones, but I live in an area where drought is almost a sure-thing, which makes me wonder how Earth-friendly my towel-reusing strategy really is. Also, one thing I'm really coming to appreciate is the idea of meeting people where they're at, in order to save the planet. Sure, we could all start eating tofu 24/7 and get rid of our cars, but I know many people who have a "outta my cold, dead hands" mindset when it comes to the conveniences of modern life. If you're currently using regular disposable wipes, these natural cleaning wipes are a great step toward leaving the Earth in a bit better shape than you found it.
If you'd like to do even more for the planet, stop by the Green Works' Green Heroes Grant Program site. Green Works plans to award five grants of $10,000 each to eco-friendly community projects across the United States. Until February 28, 2009, you can nominate eco-friendly community projects for a Green Heroes grant by submitting a photo and short essay about the project. A group of "eco-experts" will narrow the field to 10 projects, and in March, the public gets to vote for their favorite project. The final five will be announced on Earth Day, April 22.