FEATURESTORY
Understanding Greenwashing
G
reenwashing is a new term that refers to the
marketing practice by companies trying to
position their products as eco-friendly sim-
ply because they look “green” or environ-
mentally friendly. This practice can include the simple
addition of the word “natural,” which is currently not
defined or regulated by the FDA. This is sneaky but not
illegal. The best way to learn about a product is to actu-
ally read the label. This will help you avoid common
dangerous ingredients and learn more about what you
are will be using in your greenhouse or garden.
Try these products and ideas to be environmen-
tally friendly with in your greenhouse and garden:
Dish-washing Liquid Gone Green
Choose vegetable-based detergents whenever pos-
sible. When reading the label on dish-washing liquid,
try to avoid ingredients such as:
◆ ◆ Fragrance
◆ Color added
◆ ◆ Sulphates
◆ Use Borax
◆ ◆ Formaldehyde
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A great trick to getting cleaning products like
dish-soap to be more effective - without using chemi-
cals, is to add a little borax to the water before you
use. Borax, or sodium borate, is a naturally occurring
alkaline mineral first discovered over 4,000 years ago.
Here are some other little-known benefits of borax:
◆ ◆ Cleans
◆ Softens water
◆ ◆ Deodorizes
◆ Repels bugs
◆ ◆ Disinfects
Wear Gloves
If you are still using some of traditional products,
be sure to also wear gloves. This will help prevent
skin irritation and prevent absorption of harmful in-
gredients such as dioxins, dyes and perfumes.
Dilute, Dilute, Dilute
Most brands of cleaning products on the market
today, including the natural choices, are very concen-
trated. Most of us tend to use too much product when
we clean. As a way to make your products last longer,
dilute your dish-washing liquid with water. This will
not lessen the effectiveness by very much. You can
add a bit of salt and pour the mixture into a spray bot-
tle to make it last longer and use less with each spray.
Vinegar
Vinegar may not smell the best but it is an effec-
tive alternative to conventional cleaning products and
is especially effective on greenhouse windows. A great
addition to any cleaning arsenal is a dash of vinegar to
the cleaning liquid. It is an effective grease cutter and
if the smell bothers you try adding a bit of your favor-
ite essential oil. GG
Distributed by: Hydrofarm.com • SunlightSupply.com • BWGS.com
38
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
March 2019