Going Green in College: Greening Your Cleaning Supplies

These are so cute to explain such an important concept!

If you’ve read my last two posts about going green in college, you may have realized that there are still a few different aspects of your life that need to “go green.” Your laundry supplies and cleaning supplies are next!

Seventh Generation has a plethora of products for all your cleaning needs. Their site also includes a community page in which you can learn more about the harmful toxins in your current products. Some of my favorite cleaning products from this site (they are available at the Whole Foods in my town and I think most Whole Foods carry their line) are:

1. Bathroom Cleaner: It is biodegradable, does not contain harsh fumes, isn’t tested on animals AND is even Kosher certified. It truly fits a variety of lifestyles and households, and you know what? It keeps bathrooms pretty clean! It costs about $4.99 and can be purchased here.

2. Laundry Detergent: Comes in a powder or liquid for $6.99. The scents vary, but all are eco-friendly and hypo-allergenic.

3. Dishwashing Liquid: To reduce the amount of times you run your dishwasher, try this lavender floral and mint liquid soap. It’s safe for both septic and greywater systems, and has all the benefits of other seventh generation products.

Clorox, a more known cleaning supplier, also has their own line of eco-friendly products. This might be an easier way to go for a college student who has limited access to supermarkets. Another interesting thing to check out by Clorox is their guide for College students.

Greenworks products, now including laundry products, are all made from renewable resources, not tested on animals and are are 99% petrochemical free. Petrochemicals, according to Clorox’s site are chemicals made from raw materials of petroleum. Additionally the products are biodegradable, and come in a variety of specialized cleaning products, similar to the Seventh Generation line, which will help you “green” your cleaning products, even on a budget.

MethodHome products are also eco-friendly, and in fact on their Web site, I learned more about a new bill in Congress, the Household Product Labeling act, which will make companies list all ingredients on their products so that we can be better informed. Check out the information here. You can also send your congress people an email! These products are sold in a variety of places including Target, Stop and Shop and Bed Bath and Beyond. According to their site, you can even get them at Toys R Us, Big Y (a store in Connecticut), Office Depot and Shop Rite. If you put your zip code in, I’m sure you too will be amazed at how prevalent these products are.

Their products range from typical cleaners to scented sticks (the ones with the oil in the bottom that you flip to get the scent in your room, you know to cover the dirty laundry smell?) to dryer cloths, and they are, according to the site “gross stuff-free.” Their community- People Against Dirty- better explains this concept. They even have a Facebook page, because who doesn’t these days!

Even if you don’t have enough time before break to green your clean, make it a new year’s resolution– I plan to clean my life up, why not do it green?