Simple Green

[GypsyWoman]

Does anyone know about or has anyone used Simple Green? It claims to be non-toxic and biodegradable. I found it (concentrated) at Costco ... does it work? Is it really safe?

Thanks!
Jill

[pjlioness]

I used to use it. It works well. I was also concerned about whether it was truly safe, and have switched to other brands.

Pam

[Sierra]

I used to use it too. It worked great! It can take incredibly old (we're talking years) stains out of rugs. I didn't agree, though, that Simple Green was the best I could do as a cleaning product, in terms of protecting the environment, and this thought was sealed when my dog lapped some up after a spill. I called poison control, and it turns out that the main ingrediant in SG is highly toxic to humans, especially children, and even more toxic to dogs :eek:! (BTW, I was chatting with some Mothering friends when this happened). Anyway, we gave my dog some hydrogen peroxide to induce vomitting, and she is fine, but now we only use that bottle of SG for an occassional old stain or impossible cleaning issue. We don't use SG on a regular basis now, and we probably wont buy another bottle after this one runs out.

[willibug]

OOOh, so sorry to hear this about Simple Green!:crying It's the main thing I use for cleaning around the house. And I felt so good about it, too! Well, I'll just to have to do my homework when this bottle runs out. Thanks for the info. What are you using instead now, Sierra?

[Inwe Surion]

I used to use it but it made me cough very badly. Now I use vinegar mostly.

[Sierra]

Willibug,

We're still playing around with what to use. We're trying to find good recipes for making our own products. When we really need something for most cleaning projects we are using a vinegar and water mix, but I still haven't figured out what to use on the carpet. Anyone have any suggestions?

[pjlioness]

Originally posted by Sierra
...I still haven't figured out what to use on the carpet. Anyone have any suggestions?

I asked about a carpet solution a while ago. Here's the link:

http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1555

Pam

[Inwe Surion]

Sierra- I use vinegar and water on the carpet.

[Kleine Hexe]

I'm bummed about SG:( I thought it was better for the environment and my family. What about the orange cleaner made by the same company?

How about Oxiclean? Borax? Dr. Bronner's soap?

[leafylady]

Somehow I think that Oxiclean, Borax, and Dr. Bronner's soap would all make you sick if ingested.
We use borax in our metalsmithing shop as a fluxing agent. I know it's highly recommended as a more natural cleanser in the house, I just can't bring myself to use it in the house.