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Clean Earth Eco-Friendly Drain & Septic Solutions

September 24, 2009 in Green Cleaning, Product Review by Jennifer | 1 comment

Clean Earth offers various products that take the place of what are normally some of the most toxic household products; septic system treatments and drain cleaners, although they also carry a line of basic eco-friendly household cleaners as well. Pretty soon I’ll be posting a review of both Clean Earth’s Earthworm Family-Safe Drain Cleaner and their Earthworm Family-Safe Septic System Treatment & Cesspool Cleaner. Before I get into these product specifics though, I figured we’d look at the company as a whole.

As noted above, Clean Earth offers a more family-friendly brand of drain and septic solutions. Their drain cleaner is a unique blend of natural enzymes that liquefy grease, fats and other organic waste to keep your drains fresh and clean. It also helps prevent clogs before they start and removes odor-causing bacteria.

Their septic treatment uses billions of natural, highly-active, beneficial bacterial cultures and special enzymes to help restore balance to your septic system by digesting household waste and neutralizing their odors. The natural enzymes include:

  • Lipase: Effective on fats, oils and greases commonly used in your home.
  • Protease: Effective on protein matter such as meats.
  • Amylase: Effective on starches and carbohydrates.
  • Cellulase: Effective in degrading toilet paper and tissues, vegetable matter, and certain foodstuffs.

The eco-benefits of Earthworm septic and drain cleaner over most conventional include:

  • Non-polluting to the planet or your home
  • Biodegradable (maybe see below)
  • Sustainable ingredients (maybe see below)
  • Free of harsh fumes and harmful vapors
  • Neutral pH is gentle on hands and skin
  • Free of caustics, chlorine, phosphates, acids and petroleum-based ingredients
  • The septic cleaner is septic tank, cesspool and greywater system safe
  • Product packaging is made with 100% recycled paper and is recyclable

Any eco-negatives?

  • Products note that they’re not tested on animals, but they’re not aligned with the Leaping Bunny so… it could be called a questionable claim.
  • There is only ONE item on the entire Clean Earth website that lists any sort of ingredients. What the heck is in these products? From the website, you’d never know.
  • The packaging I got listed ingredients, but it’s unclear. For example, the septic treatment simply says, “Natural bacteria and enzymes, micronutrients, and inert ingredients.” The drain cleaner notes, “Water, natural enzyme blend, plant derived surfactant, fragrance, preservatives.” I like a little more info with my green cleaners. NOTE: Neither of the products smell chemical like or caustic, so I’m guessing they’re fairly natural, but fragrance for example is seriously vague.

Coming up, some reviews of these products – which do have some eco-cons noted above BUT be aware that their cons are no where near as bad as typically extremely harmful cleaners like Drano.

Visit Clean Earth to learn more.

Homemade Non-Toxic Citrus Creamy Cleaner

July 26, 2009 in Green Cleaning by Jennifer | No comments

Traditional, conventional creamy cleansers clean ok, but often contain chemicals, fake fragrances, and preservatives plus other junk that’s not healthy for your home or health. In fact, many creamy cleansers on the market tell you to wear gloves before using them. IF you have to wear gloves to clean it doesn’t say much for the safety of a product. You can also look into some eco-creamy cleaners on the market, but so far I haven’t found any I love.

Here’s a recipe for one creamy soft citrus scrubber…

TO MAKE:

Grab 1/2 cup to one cup baking soda and slowly mix in some natural liquid soap until the consistency is like cake frosting. If you’re using it all at once you can add some squeezed citrus juice of your choice – i.e juice of a lime, lemon, or orange. If you’re not using it all at once, don’t use real citrus juice but instead use 5-10 drops of orange or lemon essential oil.

TO USE:

Pour or scoop the mixture onto a reusable cleaning cloth, scrub brush, or eco-friendly sponge and scrub down the surface. Rinse well when you’re done scrubbing or wipe down again with a wet cloth. This recipe rinses clean and won’t leave grit or scratch most surfaces. You can use it on tubs, sinks, counters, and more. If you’re not sure if a surface is too delicate, do a test scrub on one little spot.

TO STORE:

Put the remaining mixture into a sealed container, I like using old glass jars. Add a tsp or two of vegetable glycerin (which will keep the cleanser moist).

Green Product Review: Orange Plus Surface Cleaner from Earth Friendly Products

May 14, 2009 in Green Cleaning, Product Review by Jennifer | 3 comments

I tend to make my own cleaners because it’s less expensive and better for the planet. However, I know not everyone is up for mixing their own cleaners. Sometimes you just want to buy a decent eco-cleaner at the store. That said, when I get a chance to review green cleaning products I usually take it. Today, I’ve got one such review for you.

Product: Ready-to-use Orange Plus Surface Cleaner from Earth Friendly Products.

Uses: The normal Orange Plus by this company is a concentrated all purpose cleaner for non-porous surfaces including sealed stone, hardwood floors, painted surfaces, linoleum, vinyl, porcelain, chrome, stainless steel, wood. You simply dilute the concentrate and use it to clean surfaces. I tried the Ready-to-use Orange Plus which is diluted for you and comes in a handy spray bottle.

Cost: Varies because it comes in various sizes. My spray bottle costs $3.69 for 17 oz, which is pretty well priced in my opinion for an eco-cleaner.

Ingredients: Purified water, pressed orange oil, and 100% natural anionic coconut kernel based surfactant.

Eco-perks: Read the rest of this entry »

Fix A Slow Drain Naturally

August 26, 2008 in Green Cleaning, Green Your Home by Jennifer | 1 comment

Drain cleaner is noted as being one of the most toxic items found in the home. Traditional drain cleaners are full of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes, not to mention the fumes your lungs are being exposed to.

Try a better solution:

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into your drain. Pour 1/2 cup white vinegar over the baking soda. Allow it to sit for a half hour. Rinse with a couple of quarts of boiling water.

NOTE: I’ve used this solution, and it seems to work better as a preventative solution, not a fast cure. Once your drain is clogged badly, you may need something stronger, or you might have to pay for a plumber. Also, it helps if you first unscrew the plug, and remove any visible hair. The baking soda and vinegar will bubble up and dislodge some items, but not all. Try using this idea as a weekly cleaning routine for best results.

As with most home care items, prevention is better than fighting a full blown problem, like a completely stopped up drain.