Q: I have been using Comet for cleaning my tri-ply cookware and the stove. But right from the day one, I have had this nagging feeling to check if this product was eco-friendly. Any idea on that? If it is not, what other eco-friendly options do I have?
Sent by Sudha
Editor: Sudha, unfortunately, we don't think Comet is a very healthy cleaning product. While the packaging does contain at least 75% recycled material (minimum 50% post-consumer), and it claims the surfactants are biodegradable and the product contains no phosphates, what's almost of greater concern are the potential health threats.
Most of Comet's cleaners contain some combination of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and/or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (a division of the Department of Health and Human Services), sodium hydroxide "is very corrosive and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with. Sodium hydroxide poses a particular threat to the eyes, since it can hydrolyze protein, leading to severe eye damage."
Inhalation of sodium hydroxide (most common when you're cleaning in small spaces like bathrooms) "is immediately irritating to the respiratory tract. Swelling or spasms of the larynx leading to upper-airway obstruction and asphyxia can occur after high-dose inhalation. Inflammation of the lungs and an accumulation of fluid in the lungs may also occur." Likewise, regarding bleach, the "solutions and vapors are irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Ingestion and skin contact produces injury to any exposed tissues. Exposure to gases released from hypochlorite may cause burning of the eyes, nose, and throat; cough as well as constriction and edema of the airway and lungs can occur."
So... we think there are better options.
Here are a few posts to get you started on some healthier cleaning tools and products:
• 25 DIY Green Cleaning Recipes for the Whole House
• 18 Green Cleaning Posts You Might Have Missed 2011
• 30 Green Cleaning Posts You Might Have Missed 2010
(Image: Ad Classix. Originally published 2010-05-04)
Ashley & Kyle's Personality Packed Home 
How To: Upgrade a Wall Outlet to USB Functionality
Like us on Facebook
RSS Feed (Atom)
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Bracken Ridge Rug 13
12 Recipes to Know By Heart
Recipe: Steamed Chocolate Pudding Cakes
Comments (21)
Sudha, for dishes I keep a shaker filled with baking soda right next to my dish soap and if something needs a little extra elbow grease, I sprinkle the baking soda over it, let it sit for a few minutes and then add a little soap & water to make a scrub. Works like a dream! For my shaker I just re-used an old Parmesan cheese shaker. (If you happen to have a cat, the baking soda shaker is great for their litter boxes, too. After I scoop I sprinkle a healthy layer of baking soda on top and kills any lingering smells.)
@Mrsjones... that is such a good idea. *wheels already turning in head* I'll be searching the back of my cabinets for that old cheese shaker!
Bon Ami is a good alternative to Comet. Look it up at bonami.com.
Be careful not to muddy the definition of "eco-friendly": your list of cons against Comet were all human-health related; information was not given on whether or not the ingredients were biodegradable or naturally-derived.
emjs777, duly noted. We've tried to clarify.
I also agree that Bon Ami, which is sold in most grocery stores, is a good substitute. I also like baking soda pastes and Bio-Kleen products, which smell great and have micro-scrubbies in them.
lisbet, I'm always glad to know what cleaning products people like. However, I'm curious what the "micro-scrubbies" in the Bio-Kleen products would be made out of--do you know? In the case of a lot of face washes, "micro-scrubbing" agents are actually little pieces of plastic that contribute to that layer of plastic now affecting our oceans, but of course that might not be the case for these cleaners.
Bon Ami is THE BEST. Cheap, effective, and eco-friendly. I've been using it for years.
my mom is a big comet user but I've been looking everywhere for Bon Ami but it seems nowhere to be found in my town.
I agree with mrsjones and use baking soda. It is the recommended cleaner for enameled cast iron cookware and can be used all over the kitchen. I used comet most of my life but was always warned that too much use may damage finishes on some items. Baking soda does not have such a harshness but still gets tea and wine stains out of porous materials. I also like to keep some on hand for baking and other household needs.
fyi...as someone who has sold top of the line tri-ply cookware before, comet is not good for your pans. Bon Ami and Barkeepers Friend are the best way to go with stainless steel by far. I only use barkeepers friend on my pots and pans. As for the eco-friendliness of it, i always try baking soda first, Bon Ami and Barkeepers Friend probably arent the best thing for old mother earth. If you have good pots and pans, simple baking soda dish detergent should do the trick. You can also try putting water and dish detergent on the pan and then heating it up on the stove for cooked-on mess.
Hi everyone
thank u for all the suggestions...
sudha
I love Bon Ami, but have a hell of a time finding it in grocery stores here in Chicago. When I'm out I use baking soda. Both are great on pots and pans.
I keep baking soda in a cinnamon shaker (like they use at coffee shops) and just sprinkle some on my damp pots and pans when I need to get them cleaner. A little scrub with a sponge and they're spotless. Easy.
Baking soda. Try it, love it, use it forever. Did I mention a paste of baking soda and water removed set in grout stains from my kitchen floor? My sister walked in and asked if I'd regrouted!
I was surprised to see this reposted. thank you for the update. Love you guys for being so prompt on updating it!!
My health food store carries Bon Ami in the cleaning section - you might try looking there.
I use baking soda, water and a plastic brush for dishes and pots. And if I need to scrub, I add some kosher salt.
Hi, Sudha!
Here is the way to always determine eco-friendliness:
1. Does it list the contents? The front of the label is an advertisement. Research the ingredients (as AT did here) and never go by the label - most companies mislead if not outright lie.
2. Who thinks it's eco-friendly? A wetland ecologist? A soil scientist? If it's not someone who studies the environment, they have no business saying it's friendly to the environment, at least not without citing the published studies.
well said emmi
I recently discovered baking soda as a cleaner, and it is my new favorite. I use it to clean the sink after doing the dishes, I use it with vinegar to get out laundry stains, in the cat box for odor control, so many uses! My favorite is the shower, though - I've never had an easier time getting out soap scum! Baking soda just cuts right through it! And our bathroom is teeny tiny, so any chemical cleaners you use in there start to choke you up and make your eyes water pretty fast. I love that the baking soda does none of that, and doesn't even make my hands raw or sore afterwards. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Use baking soda powder in its place. If you need extra cleaning scrubbing power than mix with borax powder.
These are also great additions to your laundry cleaning, carpet cleaning and more. The borax powder even helps kills fleas and does not harm your pets.