Picture this, you are at your local supermarket and have to pick up a dishwashing liquid for your home. There are two options in front of you, one claims to be strong and efficient and the other claims to be 'all-natural' and ‘eco-friendly’. Which one would you pick?
Not just you, most of us in that situation would pick the all-natural option and why shouldn't we? Natural ingredients don't come with side effects and do the job well. But how often do we look at the ingredients list to determine if it indeed is natural or not?
Like you, most consumers today, have started prioritizing eco-friendly products and sustainable options in the market.
We might have come a long way to be making better choices but marketing gimmicks are always one step ahead. Most brands are witnessing the change in today's consumer behavior and to keep up with the times their campaigns now focus on how natural is better and how eco-friendly their products are. Other than the green color on the packaging, is there really any difference in the formula? Are their sustainability claims just an empty promise?
Greenwashing is all the rage around the world today. Instead of actually taking steps to make the world a little bit better, brands have found a shortcut. It helps them move products faster, creates a better name for them, and the lack of any real concrete changes means that there isn't much money to be spent on. The only loser in this game of lies is the consumer.
So how you can change that?
It all starts with more awareness. Educate yourself on toxic ingredients and the certifications that brands need to truly call themselves 'eco-friendly'.
Don't worry, we'll help you out in this. Here's a checklist:
1. Read the safety warnings and disclaimers.
2. Check the ingredients list. If it only contains active ingredients, it might be a major red flag since you wouldn't know what's hiding in the base formula.
3. What kind of preservatives and fragrances does the formula contain? Preservatives and fragrances are actually a cocktail of chemicals that are known to cause allergies and other side effects.
4. Does the brand make clean and green formulations or do they have a specific range for it? Heads up! It might be greenwashing.
5. Dig deeper into their manufacturing practices. Are their 'green' claims only on the surface or do they follow it in the manufacturing process as well?
At The Better Home, we believe in making safer choices easier for you. All our products are made with plant-based ingredients that are free of any harmful chemicals and pesticides. Our cleaners are free of any synthetic fragrance or harmful preservatives.
The manufacturers of our toilet cleaner and natural floor cleaner have a GreenPro certification.