Best Green Cleaners (2011)

A trip down the cleaning aisle in the grocery store can be a little overwhelming. Any product can call itself “green” or “natural,” but how do you really know which ones are safe for the environment and your family? We made sure that every one of the dozens of products on our reader survey is as green as its manufacturer claims. For help, we turned to our friends at Whole Foods Market, who have created an Eco-Scale rating system of cleaning products. They place ingredients in different eco-friendly categories: red (products containing those ingredients are not carried at Whole Foods Market), orange, yellow, and green (the highest, most eco-friendly level). For a product to be considered for a KIWI award, it had to clear the orange level, which means that it can currently be sold at Whole Foods Market and it contains ingredients KIWI staff feel comfortable recommending to families. (You can find the Whole Foods Market Eco-Scale at wholefoodsmarket.com/eco-scale.)

In the kitchen

Dish soap #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Method Clorox Green Works Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day	Dishwasher liquid #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Clorox Green Works 365 Everyday Value Simple Green Naturals	Dishwasher powder #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Ecover Nature Clean Biokleen
Dishwasher pellets #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Method Ecover Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day	Rinsing agent #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Ecover Earth Friendly Products Nature Clean	Oven cleaner #1: Nature Clean Other winners: Carbona Aussan Natural
Countertop cleaner #1: Method Other winners: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Earth Friendly Products Charlie’s Soap & GreenShield Organic (tie)	Stainless steel cleaner #1: Earth Friendly Products Other winners: Eco-Me Bio+Green Crystals Better Life

In the bathroom

Tub and tile cleaner #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Clorox Green Works Method Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day	Glass cleaner #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Clorox Green Works Method Mrs. Meyers Clean Day	Toilet bowl cleaner #1: Clorox Green Works Other winners: Seventh Generation Method Ecover

For floor and furniture

Carpet and upholstery cleaner #1: Clorox Green Works Other winners: Simple Green Naturals Biokleen Earth Friendly Products	Hardwood and linoleum cleaner #1: Method Other winners: Simple Green Naturals Earth Friendly Products Bona	Wood and furniture polish #1: Method Other winners: Earth Friendly Products J.R. Watkins Naturals Bona

For laundry

Liquid or powder detergent #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Method Clorox Green Works Ecover	Whitening detergent #1: Clorox Green Works Other winners: Trader Joe’s Biokleen Nature Clean	Fabric softener #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Method Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Ecover
Dryer sheets #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Method Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day BabyGanics	Baby laundry detergent #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: BabyGanics Earth Friendly Products Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day	Stain remover #1: Clorox Green Works Other winners: Ecover Earth Friendly Products BabyGanics

For anywhere

All-purpose spray #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Clorox Green Works Method Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day	All-purpose gel, cream, or powder #1: 20 Mule Team Borax Other winners: Earth Friendly Products Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Ecover	Air freshener #1: Citrus Magic Other winners: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Earth Friendly Products BabyGanics
All-purpose wipes #1: Seventh Generation Other winners: Clorox Green Works Method, Earth’s Best