Comments on: Scotch Brite Scrubbers: Dishwashing or Greenwashing?

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:27:48 +0000

Hi Carmen. Life WIthout Plastic has a natural wood toilet brush. I haven’t tried it but maybe this is the kind of thing you’re looking for? http://lifewithoutplastic.com/boutique/plasticfree-wooden-toilet-brush-stand-p-391.html

By: Carmen Melton

Carmen Melton — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:42:50 +0000

I don’t know if this has been covered, but does anyone have suggestions for a plastic-free toilet bowl brush that can hold up for many uses? Our old plastic ones did not make it onto the moving truck last month (still feeling guilty abou that, but what should one do with expired toilet scrubbers on moving day??). Anyway, I have held off on any new purchases until I find something that can at least be composted at the end of it’s life. But I don’t know how much longer I can take it! Hope to find a solution soon…

By: amanda

amanda — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:46:50 +0000

was looking for a recipe for liquid dish soap, and i figured i’d come to you first. just using a bar of soap if it works is not lazy, but in my opinion, brilliant. why make more work for no benefit? keep up the good work, and thanks for all the great tips that make my own quest for less plastic sooo much easier. i wish i could assign your blog to everyone i know. =)

By: Ben Hodges

Ben Hodges — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:07:38 +0000

We are a small company in the Philippines, dedicated to growing and making truely green washing up tools, no petro chemicals, hand made and fair trade, we come up against the green wash all the time and I drives me mad, ethical green companies then promote and sell these products, even the cellulose sponges consume huge amounts of energy and resources. Our products are barely processed using water, sunlight and human energy, nothing else. Take a look at the site for more details..We are trying to get a US distributor so not available in US yet.

By: Quico

Quico — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:15:04 +0000

I just got one of those sponges @ Target, thingking they were biodegradable too….I feel cheated. I will return it. Good thing I did not open it.. :) thanks for the post.

By: Lisa @ Retro Housewife Goes Green

Lisa @ Retro Housewife Goes Green — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:10:54 +0000

My husband pointed those out awhile ago and I said “I doubt they are truly green.” I’m glad I didn’t buy them, it sucks that that is how my mine works lol.

I love Skoy cloths, I use them for cleaning the kitchen. I just use normal cotton dish clothes for hand washing dishes. It’s what I grew up using.
.-= Lisa @ Retro Housewife Goes Green´s last blog ..Green Gift Guide: For Him =-.

By: Pavlina

Pavlina — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:55:46 +0000

It does say “greener” on the package. I think if everyone were to buy these instead of the regular ole’ product, things would be a lot better. Let’s face it, most people are not going to use bar soap and a loofah to wash their dishes, but they may buy this product instead. I don’t like to call products likes these greenwashing, they are a better alternative than what is currently being offered. They may not be 100% green, but it is sometimes about baby steps.

By: M

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:17:23 +0000

I saw that scrubber too, but was somewhat wary of it when I looked closer, so I put it back. I'm glad I stayed away, but frustrated with the packaging - "Natural Fiber" wording and the look from the front that makes the true product make up invisible to the consumer. I wonder if the packaging was ever designed with the content information on the front, but was tossed for this one instead. I can't imagine how many people are being mislead by it. .-= M´s last blog .. =-.

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:56:05 +0000

So many questions. Let’s see if I have answers.

1) The bar soap I use is nothing special. Whatever I have on hand. Dr. Bronners bar soap. Or castile soap. The one we’re using now is something that came without any packaging. I might have bought it at the farmers market. I use it with a Skoy cloth and have not had problems with streaking or cloudiness.

2) Dr. Bronner’s doesn’t leave a white film on my dishes so maybe it is your water, Beany.

3) Blessed — I am not against liquid soap per se, but I don’t buy it since it comes in a plastic bottle. And bar soap works just fine.

4) Knutty Knitter — the only laundry powder I have found without a plastic scoop is Ecover. But have you tried soapnuts? Are they available in New Zealand?

5) Greeen Sheep & Mindful Momma –well, you guys are not alone. I bought it too. The part about it being 50% agave is on the back of the package. No where does it say what the other 50% is. I had to call to find out. :-(
.-= Beth Terry´s last blog ..Holiday Buying: More Pressure Today Than 40 Years Ago? =-.

By: Lara S.

Lara S. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:35:02 +0000

I recently saw a Coca-Cola commercial saying they now recycle their bottles. The way they tried to make the company look green made me furious :(