Comments on: Scotch Brite Scrubbers: Dishwashing or Greenwashing?

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 17:10:54 +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 01:35:02 +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

By: Mindful Momma

Mindful Momma — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:24:25 +0000

50% plastic??!! That really pisses me off. I bought that scour pad too – and never even bothered to read the fine print – so thank you for tipping me off. I probably wouldn’t have bought it again anyway because it is so thin and flimsy that it’s hard to grip. Darn greenwashers!
Mindful Momma´s last blog ..Eco-Parents Event in Linden Hills this Wednesday!!

By: greeen sheeep

greeen sheeep — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:17:26 +0000

Ugh, are you kidding me?! I just bought that sponge! Our dishwasher broke and we have resorted back to hand washing. I picked that one specifically for the lack of plastic and now you’re telling me that it is made of plastic? I even read the label! Apparently not very well. Doing the right thing should not be so difficult. I’ve tried making phone calls to companies before. It is difficult to get the answers you are looking for. The average Joe is not going to take the time to call. Why can’t companies just be up front and honest about their products? Consumers should be informed and left to make their own judgements from there. How can we make an informed decision when only given half the facts? Oy vey!
greeen sheeep´s last blog ..Send Diane!

By: Billie

Billie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:52:41 +0000

Given that I have someone in my household that doesn’t care a fig for the environment, I haven’t moved too environmentally friendly in the kitchen.

I don’t use sponges except for the ceramic stove-top cleaning sponge. Lasted me 3 years and counting! I have crocheted cotton wash rags that I use for cleaning up counters/cupboard fronts, dishes and so on. I have a green Scotch Brite scrubby for cleaning up really bad dishes. I also have this Pampered Chef plastic scrapper (7 or 8 years old?) that I use for scrapping caked on food. I still use a few paper towels for a couple of chores but use rags for most of the icky cleaning up.

I am intending on trying Borax/baking soda in my dishwasher when my powder has run out. I use Ivory liquid soap for the sink although I dilute it 50% with water.

I do the best I can given the make-up of my household. I think we use less disposable products than we have in the past.
Billie´s last blog ..Happy Vacation