We are looking to replace our cleaning products with something that has a lower impact on the environment. Can anyone advise on what we should be looking out for, what chemicals we should avoid and any environmentally sound products they have come across/would recommend.

Many thanks

Emma

-- Emma Ramet (emmramet@southend.gov.uk), November 11, 1999

Answers

Ethical Consumer produced a report on cleaning products about a year ago - You can contact them on 0161 226 2929 to get hold of it. You could also try 'green hotelier' - but I don't have a number for them (Ethical Consumer may know)

Sam Kimmins

-- Sam Kimmins (sam.kimmins@wspgroup.com), November 12, 1999.

Your local health shop is always a great place to go for cleaning products, also leaflet information. I don't know if you have animals in your home or not, ie, cats, dogs small pets such as a hamster or fish, but FREEBREEZE the fabric freshner is deadly to all of these, if I remember rightly it contains zinc oxide (correct me if I'm wrong, I think this is what I saw on the posters). I was quite shocked at the most recent advert for this showing a dog in its bed insinuating that it is safe for this. Everyone is advised to wash pet beds or pet covers immediatly.

-- Amanda Jane Jones (AJJ@kwak.fsnet.co.uk), November 13, 1999.

i have recently banned the use of any chemicals within our home and instead have turned to bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and liquid soap and soda crystals. I do still use clothes washing machine powder. it was a relief to throw out all those products i was seduced into buying. do try the above. you can get household recipies using these products on the web. look up the frugality and simple living sites.

-- nita (nita.severn@ntlworld.com), February 15, 2001.