GG Readers' Top Picks: Household Cleaning Products

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One of the most encouraging conclusions drawn from our All-Purpose Cleaners survey was that homemade mixtures of vinegar and baking soda were considered the best solution to everyday cleaning quandaries. However, of the brands we surveyed—AFM SafeChoice Super Clean, BioShield Vinegar Cleaner, Bon Ami Cleaning Powder, Ecover All Purpose Cleaner, Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner Free & Clear and Shaklee Basic H—Bon Ami was the most popular, simply, readers said, because of its affordability and accessibility. All brands were found to clean as well as conventional brands, and none of the brands left films or stains.

With such a wealth of effective eco-friendly cleaners, there's really no need for harsh commercial products and the health threats they pose to your family. So head to your local natural food market and try something green.

Buyer Beware

Dryer Balls and Sheets

As it turns out, those plastic dryer balls that claim to be earth-friendly, because they soften fabric "without chemicals," are actually made of polyvinyl chloride, among the least recyclable of plastics, whose manufacture and incineration release carcinogenic dioxins. Toxic phthalates are generally used to make vinyl soft and flexible. And because the colorful nubby dryer balls look like teething toys, this might tempt young children to put them in their mouths.

Better Idea: Green fabric softeners by Seventh Generation or Ecover, or simply add 1/4 cup of baking soda to wash cycle.

So-called "cotton" static eliminators are actually made of polyester: Another bust, unfortunately, because their manufacture consumes petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, and they aren't even made of recycled polyester.

Better Idea: To avoid static cling in the dryer, dry cotton clothes and synthetic clothes separately. Or, adding 1/4 cup vinegar to wash cycle will both soften fabrics and eliminate static.

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