Product Review: Seventh Generation Cleaning Products Clean and Green?

Every label of Seventh Generation natural cleaning products includes a quote that explains the meaning behind the name, Seventh Generation:

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." From the Great Law of The Iroquois Confederacy

Seventh Generation cleaning products have non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic ingredients. The packaging is green as well. Many of their products use post-consumer plastics and paper for the packaging.

These are all good things, as many of us want to go green and keep our homes carcinogen-free for our family's health, as well as protect the environment. There are many viable natural cleaning methods that are homemade remedies, but for those who want the convenience of ready-made green products, here's a little information about Seventh Generation natural cleaning products. We want green, yes, but we also want clean. Do Seventh Generation natural cleaning products really get the job done?

Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Spray Cleaner

A good multipurpose spray cleaner is helpful to have in the cleaning caddy. Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Spray Cleaner is available in Natural Citrus Scent.

Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Spray Cleaner:

-is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has no chlorine, petroleum based glycol ether, phosphates, acids, caustics, dyes or perfumes.
-uses hydrogen peroxide (active stain removal ingredient), biodegradable surfactants (for soil removal), citrus oil (for grease removal), food-grade non-toxic oxygen stabilizers (to help the hydrogen peroxide last longer), and water
-has post-consumer plastics in the bottle

What real users have to say:

"I have been very pleased with Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner for my counter tops, sinks, and oh yes, that great "wall splatter" that is the blessing of having little hands helping out in the kitchen."

"In the past, I've tried other popular cleaners to remove grease streaks on our playground equipment; they lightened the grease streaks, but did not remove them. In desperation, this week I gave it a go with the green cleaning product. After spraying on Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner and using some elbow grease, the grease was gone. I was happy!"

Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid

Oh, the dishes. Eating at home is generally greener than eating out, but then there are the dishes. Most of us want grease-cutting action and a dish liquid that's kind to our skin as well. Some of us still desire a little aromatherapy while we wash the dishes too, but without chemical scents. Does Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid pass the test?

Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid:

-has natural ingredients, including plant-derived cleaning agents and essential oils and extracts like lime, lavender, spearmint, peppermint and ylang ylang
-is non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic
-uses 25% post-consumer recycled plastic

What real users have to say:

"My first impression was that I liked the lavender floral and mint scent. But would it make those abundant bubbles? With the Seventh Generation lavender floral and mint Natural Dish Liquid, most all of the greasy gunk washed away with the sprayer. The pans were clean in a jiff."

Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Washing Gel

One of the myths about dish washing is that hand washing is greener. That's not true, as long as you use an energy-efficient dishwasher and run full loads only. Wow! That's great news for busy people. Yet, it's hard to not care about the eco-impact of the dish washing process or what might be left on the dishes you and your family eat on. Is Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Washing Gel a helpful green alternative?

Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Washing Gel:

- is non-toxic with no chlorine bleach, phosphates, dyes, NTA, or EDTA
- is safe for septic and grey water systems

What real users have to say:

Negative review

"[I] went home feeling like I'd done my part to make the planet a better, safer place. Unfortunately, after three tries, with 3 totally different dishwasher settings, my dishes are still coated in soap residue each time. Not clean. Not sparkling. And I'm not happy."

Positive review

"Unlike most eco-friendly dish washing soaps, this one does not leave a film on my dishes or even my plastic ware. We have water that is semi-hard and most eco-friendly dish washing soaps do not work well with it... Seventh Generation Dishwashing Gel is the best I have found. I inherited my trust in Cascade from my parents and have used it religiously for years--but not anymore."

Obviously the reviews are mixed on Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Washing Gel. Of course, how any dish washing detergent works may be related to your dishwasher, and the label does recommend using a "rinsing agent." In our surveys, 80% of reviews for Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Washing Gel were favorable and 20% were not.

Overall, real users of Seventh Generation cleaners have been pleased with the cleaning ability and the eco-friendly qualities of their natural cleaning products. Some may say that environmentally friendly cleaning products are more expensive; find out for yourself with these sample prices and products from Amazon and Seventh Generation. If you are looking for a greener alternative to cleaning, many Seventh Generation products may be the choice for you.