Greenwashed by Simple Green? Ask Annie

Dear Annie,
I’ve been using Simple Green for years thinking that it is an eco-friendly product, but a friend told me recently that they thought it was not green. What is your opinion? –Sally, KY

Dear Sally,
Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) published the results of a study of five of the leading cleaning product companies regarding the use and labeling of toxic ingredients in products. The study is called The Dirt on Cleaning Products, and Simple Green, manufactured by Sunshine Makers Inc., is one of the companies investigated.

The Dirt on Cleaning Chemical Companies report card about Sunshine Makers Inc./ Simple Green was that their product ingredient disclosure received a D+; their responsiveness to consumer concerns received an F; their toxic chemicals screening process received a D+; the toxic chemicals in their products received a C; the number of cleaning products on the market was 15; and the number of products that contain chemicals of concern were eight. The chemical of biggest concern cited by WVE is 2-butoxyethanol.

The report from scorecard.org about this chemical is that it is a suspected:

Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant
Developmental Toxicant
Endocrine Toxicant
Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant
Kidney Toxicant
Neurotoxicant
Reproductive Toxicant
Respiratory Toxicant
Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant

Yes, I’d say if you were led to believe that Simple Green was a “green” product then you have been a victim of greenwashing!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Chris R.

7:00AM PST on Nov 6, 2011

Thanks!~

send a green star

Brian H.

3:38PM PDT on Oct 19, 2011

interesting

Michele W.

10:30AM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

Thank you

Aoife O.

3:32PM PDT on Jun 16, 2011

Thanks

Marcia M.

6:56AM PDT on May 27, 2011

Keep up with the good work.

Kathy W.

9:24PM PDT on May 24, 2011

Thanks for the article, but also, thanks to Carol C. for her defense of the product. There are at least 2 sides to every story.

Charlene S.

11:37AM PDT on May 23, 2011

It's so easy to make your own effective and safe cleaning products, why pay more to buy something that may turn out to have questionable ingredients? Stick with the basics, hot water, steam, white vinegar, baking soda, isopropyl alcohol (great for cleaning chrome fixtures and mirrors) hydrogen peroxide (as a more natural alternative to bleach) and pure essential oils like lemon, lavender, or tea tree). Those microfiber cleaning cloths are also very effective on mirrors, windows, and fixtures.

Robert O.

12:55AM PDT on May 13, 2011

Thanks Annie!

Tamila m.

10:10AM PST on Feb 4, 2011

thanks