I use Seventh Generation products for the most part (they are more expensive, but I don't go through them quickly enough that it matters) after a bad experience cleaning my bathroom with bleach cleaner during the winter. I had cleaned the bathroom and then realized that since my windows were sealed up with foam tape (to keep out the draft--the windows had gaps between glass and frame) I couldn't air out the fumes and I could hardly breathe. I ran a fan for a while but had to stay out of my room for hours. Sadly the Seventh Generation products don't work quite as well, but at least I can breathe.

i get a lot of seventh generation products in bulk, but i live in berkeley so it might be easier here. sometimes things like laundry detergent from 7g are cheaper when ordering them through the gaia catalogue. so if you're interested you should check that out.

trader joe's (are they in new york yet?) have good non toxic products and are nice 'n cheap. I particularly like their lavender oil laundry detergent.

We just moved into a place with a dishwasher (my first) and I just realized that Cascade smells really, really awful--like chlorine plus some terrible scent. I bought a gel by Ecos, but it doesn;t seem to work as well. Does anyone have a eco-friendly brand they like?

Method products makes cleaning fun as well as eco-friendly! I do not think I could ever buy another!

No, sadly, no Trader Joe's in NYC. I hear they are great, though!

I like to use CitraSolv (citrus based, biodegradable) instead of Fantastik or 409. It's incredibly powerful full strength but works really well diluted in a spray bottle. A 36oz bottle is around $12-15 but makes gallons of cleaner and lasts a pretty long time. Full-strength white vinegar is another option, and a cheap one, but I've never liked the way it smells.

Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and more baby.

The Method shower spray, used after every shower, is a good way to stave off really icky tile cleaning for quite a long time. Keep the spray (which smells great) in the shower, along with a small squeegee.

I nuke my enitre place once a week on min.

Agent Orange is my best freind.

Ecover is another brand of environmentally-friendly cleaning home cleaning and laundry products that i would highly recommend. i especially like the dishwashing liquid and the fabric softener because they do have a bit of fragrance (which i do enjoy, it's vaguely like ginger), but the fragrance is not overpowering (especially the fabric softener which does the job of softening without perfuming your clothes too much).

being environmentally-friendly isn't cheap. the Ecover liquid laundry detergent is about twice the cost of Tide for example.

I've also used some of the Seventh Generation products and REALLY like their automatic dishwasher powder. a glass washed with Seventh Generation feels much nicer in your hand (silky smooth) compared to one washed with say Electrosol (a squeaky, "chemical-coated" feel).

Sam, I too use Ecover dishwashing liquid and love it, but haven't found a good green dishwasher detergent. Thanks for the tip on the 7th Gen product - I'll try it. Do you find the Ecover liquid laundry detergent works well?

ditto on the vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.

Pixie--

i think it does a "fine" job. to be honest, Tide is more effective, but i'm trying to be more environmentally-conscious, so i use the Ecover. but the Ecover fabric softener is GREAT, because it doesn't overpower with perfume the way that Downey, Snuggle and the others do.

For laundry detergent try Country Save. I found it originally at Wild Oats, but now buy it from the manufacturer through their web site - no perfumes or dyes for the sensitive of skin, works better than anything I've tried, suitable for HE or regular machines.

I have recently bought a nature's sunshine concentrate soap and also some essential oils to put in this soap for odor control and disinfection. It's a multi use soap for cleaning, dish washing, laundry, counter tops, etc. I like it because all you do is mix it with water ( different dosage for diff. things) ad a few drops of oil and it's aromatherapy while you are cleaning and lingering fresh, scent after. Some exg., for floor cleaning you can put 10 drops of pine needle oil or lemon oil, dish soap -lavender oil or tea tree oil, or mix them (tea tree oil disinfects, lavender is great for smell). Lemon essential oil is also a great disinfectant for both positive and negative gram bacteria (although not for every single one like bleach). But if you lean a little which oils work better for what you can use them with any unscented, eco friendly cleaninig products, like 7th. gen, etc.
Anyway, since I started adding these oils to the cleaning and laundry, I enjoy cleaning much more and it is a more relaxing feeling afterwards. Just wanted to share...

I use Seventh Generation household cleaners. I love seventh generation fabric softener and detergent. It is really expensive though so I am going to pick up a box of trader joes powder detergent. So far it is the most economical around. My sister-in-law swears it cleans just as well as seventh. I use vinegar too. Some vinegar info for all-it kills 99% of all germs and 84% of all bacteria. It's cheap and eco friendly.

I read some method info. on their website. They use ammonia in their window wash and they use animal tallow in their dryer sheets. I emailed them to ask if they use any petroleum in their cleaning products, but they still haven't emailed me back. Just some info. for all you method users.

I went back to using chemical cleaners a few months ago because the eco ones just weren't good enough for me. I also tried vinegar & essential oils, but again it didn't seem to do the job. I felt a bit guilty, but they just worked so much better & were less expensive.
The I was introduced to a company called Melaleuca. They are a health & wellness company devoted to non-toxic eco-friendly alternatives. I am amazed at how well they work & am really excited that I found this solution! I feel good about the products I am using now & have found they are less expesive than the grocery store brands and they work just as well! I encourage you to look into this if you want to switch from toxic cleaners, but haven't found the right option yet. They have a website www.melaleuca.com.

I HAVE USED MOST OF THE ABOVE NAMED PRODUCTS. I WOULD RATE THEM ABOUT A 6 TO 7. AND THEY WERE PRICEY TO BOOT.

I SWITCHED TO MELALUCA PRODUCTS 5 MONTHS AGO AND AM ABSOLUTELY THRILLED. THEY ARE SUPERIOR AND COST EFFECTIVE. AND NO MOLD DOES NOT GROW IT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR DISHWASHER UNLESS YOU USE IT VERY, VERY INFREQUENTLY.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT
HANDLEWITHCARE@ADLEPHIA.NET FOR FURTHER INFO ABOUT MELALUCA.

Green Peace has a list of all eco products that are either good or bad. Some suprises with Asda and Waitrose's own doing well.

I too have switched to Melaluca products and I too, am absolutely thrilled!!! I had my doubts but now each month can't wait to try something new.