Spring Greening

SUSTAINABLE LIVING | by CELESTE TELL

SPRING CLEANING SEASON IS UPON US! Unlike several of my close friends (you know who you are), I wasn’t born with the housecleaning gene. On the other hand, I have all sorts of environmental sensitivities. So I always approach housecleaning chores — and particularly cleaning products — with a certain amount of trepidation.

© iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

Add in a concern for sustainable living, and where do you start?

The simplest thing is, well, the simplest thing. Back in the day — before television advertising à la Mad Men — people used water, soap, borax, baking soda and vinegar. You can still clean your house with just those five things. They work. They just require some lessons in household mixology.

They may not, however, be the most convenient, so off we go to Whole Foods or Target in search of the perfect product: one that will clean perfectly and make our lives easier, without harming the planet. With so many products claiming to be “natural,” “bio-degradable,” “non-toxic” and “eco-friendly,” how do we keep up?

The most reliable strategy is to shop for eco-labels. Eco-labels are third-party seals of approval that let you know the product has been tested for environmental safety. The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an international association of third-party, environmental-performance labeling organizations that promotes the application of credible eco-labeling around the world.

Two examples of eco-labels are the EPA and Green Seal. Clorox’s Green Works product line, for example, has earned both the EPA Design for the Environment and the Good Housekeeping Green seals of approval.