Wholesome Green Living: Understanding the Playing Field (Part 1)

When “green” was in its earliest beginnings, some may have believed “being green” was just a new craze; a fad that wouldn’t be around for very long.   Something to be identified with.  

However, with the research and data that continues to be conducted and collected, findings are showing the dangers of NOT living green.  There are dangers to our air quality, water quality, and personal health quality.

Hi, I’m Brenda and I am the social media writer for HG Labs.  Over the next several weeks we are going to be exploring various topics related to “Wholesome Green Living.” 

I have never done anything quite like this and am not an expert, but a person who wants to promote wholesome green living, green cleaning , and speak as a “regular mom.”  Plus… I do desire to learn and research these subjects to become more personally educated with the topics in this series.

I am sighting sources where appropriate. I will name names or organizations that you as our reader may want to research as well.

Our first installment in this series, "Wholesome Green Living",
discussed how all natural IS affordable.

I think it’s important to look a little closer at what “green” is, and more specifically—green cleaning.  It is an important aspect of our everyday lives, after all.  So here we go…

Green cleaning-- as defined by Wikipedia is; “cleaning methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients designed to preserve human health and environmental quality.” (bold for emphasis)

While there are growing mandates in the food sector to disclose to the consumer if antibodies or hormones are present, and stricter ingredient labeling is on the rise; no such requirements have been made on cleaning products.

With a lack of regulations on ingredient labeling for cleaning products; consumers are being subtly fooled by products that are labeled as “green” but in fact are NOT green. This loop-hole, so to speak, is called greenwashing.  To learn more about products that are not up to their green claims, you’ll want to read the EWG Cleaners Database Hall of Shame.

Consumers today who want to truly live a wholesome green lifestyle have to educate themselves and in a way become their own P.I. 

I have been personally duped into thinking a body product was “all natural” because of the picture on the label and the fact that it stated being “all natural”.  Upon further inspection, it turned out that the very last ingredient listed was the “all natural” ingredient, which was a minuscule ingredient in the product since it was listed last. 

As a mom and newer green consumer, I have found that if I cannot pronounce the ingredients listed, they’re not natural!  This is my bottom line take on it! 

Another key to deciphering if a cleaning product is green is to take a look at the Warning Label.  If it states that it is harmful to the skin, eyes, or recommends using in a well -ventilated room;  put it back on the shelf—it’s not all-natural! 

Look for the “Green America” seal on the cleaning product; this is another safeguard for the consumer that the product is a true green product.

Green America (a leading supportive network for green businesses) states on their website, “Green businesses adopt principles, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, employees, communities and the planet.”

For the record Brightly Green All Natural Concentrates: 

  --ARE certified as a green business by Green America.

  --Are 100% plant-based cleaners.

  --Have ingredients that are understandable (and pronounceable).
 

Wholesome Green Living:  Understanding the Playing Field (Part Two)—to come!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!