For the eco-conscious consumer, there is an increasingly wide array of products to choose from, from soap to shower heads. But does a "green" label on a product automatically mean it's the best environmental choice? Not necessarily because not all green products are created equal. Consider the following advice from Consumer Reports:
Do "green" dishwasher detergents really work? In Consumer Reports latest tests, dishwasher detergents without phosphates tended to perform worst overall. According to Consumer Reports, only two of seven phosphate-free detergents are worth considering: Method or Simplicity.
Eco-flooring. Some of the flooring brands recently tested by Consumer Reports carry eco-labels. Wood flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative offers some assurance that it's from sustainably managed forests. But other flooring might have green attributes without those credentials.
According to Consumer Reports, vinyl flooring certified by the industry FloorScore program meets or exceeds California standards, the nation's toughest, for volatile organic compounds, which are linked to health problems and pollution.
Low-flow shower heads and toilets. Eight of the 18 models in a Consumer Reports report on shower heads use less than the federal maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute; all meet the federal limit. Consumer Reports toilet tests revealed that not all could flush with success in every situation, but they did find a 1.28-gallons per flush (gpf) "standout" from Kohler and a good 1.1-gpf model from Gerber.
Please feel free to add your own experiences with "green" products in the comments section... it will help everyone to learn more about their effectiveness and usefulness...
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