Green Housecleaners

[Sue]

I know there have been many threads asking for housecleaner recommendations, but does anyone have a recommendation for a housecleaner who uses only green, non-toxic cleaners? Thanks!

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[Sue]

Just bumping this up. Anyone know of anyone?

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[rachelharrington]

Hi Sue,

This is a topic near to my heart. I currently own a small housekeeping business and have an undergrad degree in Environmental Science and a graduate degree in Environmental Mediation.

The problem with finding “green” cleaning products is several-fold.

a) Cleaning products are not required to list their ingredients.

b) Most “green” buzzwords – like green and non-toxic and fragrance free – are legally meaningless. For more info: http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/label.cfm?LabelID=131

and c) Unlike “organic”, there are no standards for what “green” is.

I’ve done a lot of research in this area and was disappointed to learn that many “green” products – like Simple Green and Mrs. Meyers – use synthetic colors and fragrances. That doesn’t fit my definition of green.

The best product line I’ve been able to find is Better Life. In terms of transparency of ingredients, company ethos, and product efficacy, their whole line is awesome!! Last I checked, you can get one or two Better Life products at our PCC, but it’d be great if they carried the whole line. The Better Life website has all the product info you might want and is very educational besides.

http://www.cleanhappens.com/pages/faq

Another option is to simply make your own cleaning products: http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=0111homemadecleaners

That said, with a few notable exceptions like bleach, etc, I’m happy to use whatever cleaning products my clients supply.

:-)

~Rachel

http://www.westseattlehousekeeping.com

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[hammerhead]

I have tried to use “green” product before. I even did a demonstration on “green” products verses: 409, simple green and heavier duty type of de greasers. I was able to prove that the “green” products were totally ineffective. Soap scum was another issue I addressed, nothing “green” took it off.

The price points on “green” products are so high that is was not cost effective to use them.

HH

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[westwoodmom]

I can heartily recommend Green Cleaning Seattle. I have been using for about 3-4 years, based now in Fremont but began in Burien. I know the owner personally, she employs only the best, and they use Biokleen products, vinegar and scented oils (unless there are issues) http://www.greencleaningseattle.com/

PS..there is a coupon in the Chinook book

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[Sue]

Thanks, Rachel, for the info on the Better Life products – I hadn’t heard of them before. I do know about there not really being standards for what “green” means, and a lot of companies taking advantage of the market by using certain buzzwords. When you do house cleaning, do you only use the client’s products (as opposed to bringing your own)?

Hammerhead, while I appreciate that some of the more conventional products may be more effective than the more natural ones, I simply won’t let those products into my home, so I have to make do. I’d rather compromise the cleanliness of my home to a certain point if it helps keep toxic chemicals out and benefits my health.

Thanks, Westwoodmom, for the recommendation!

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[jissy]

Sue: I’m with you — I have a lot of chemical sensitivities but got even more vigilant when I was pregnant. Best greenish products I have found are Shaklee hands down. And they last a very long time b/c you further dilute them down a lot.

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[ethidda]

I use Sweet Pea Cleaning (Meredith Cere) and she makes her own green products (which she also sells). I love it. I can’t vouch for if it’s more work (for her) or if it’s actually healthier, but I have a very sensitive nose for chemical products and my home smells wonderful ever since I switched to her.

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