Clean and Green Made Easy at Trader Joe's

By now almost everyone has become aware that "going green" is a good thing, both for the environment and for the health of the general population.

In particular, many common household cleansers and personal products have come under scrutiny, revealing potential toxins and pollutants which are repeatedly putting us at risk in our own homes. If you have children, pets or someone with a compromised immune system in the home, the risks can be an even more crucial issue to address.

That said, there are several unfortunate speed bumps in the road to going green. Cost is one major factor. Many "specialty" eco-friendly products are priced way higher than standard brands.

Availability is another issue. While many standard grocery stores obligingly stock a handful of green items, the choices may be limited. Often shoppers who are trying to clean green are forced to go from one store to another in order to purchase a full array of products needed for the home.

Clarity is also a stumbling block for those who are attempting to green their household cleansers. It's frequently difficult to know exactly what product is best used on what surfaces, since many eco-products are unfamiliar and sometimes vague about correct usage. Also, quite a number of early eco-friendly products were poorly packaged, and aside from being unattractive, the containers didn't hold up well.

And last, but definitely not least, is functionality. In the past, a great many ecology-safe products simply didn't work. And if they did, sometimes they smelled really bad.

Fortunately, in Westwood offers our area some terrific incentives to get clean and stay green while staying totally local.

The roster of green products at Trader Joe's is quite impressive, ranging from multi-surface cleansers to laundry detergents to dishwashing liquid. It's truly a one-stop shopping experience if you are looking to purchase a variety of non-toxic, environmentally-(and human)-safe products that are as pleasant to use as they are effective.

Price points for Trader Joe's eco-friendly items are amazingly reasonable, all labeled with the brand's cheery, chatty style of familiarizing customers with product ingredients and correct application.

Some of the products at Trader Joe's are part of a specific line of cleaning items which are jestingly labeled: "....Next To Godliness."

Others are simply Trader Joe's products (or in the case of a Ginger/Almond Oatmeal Exfoliant bar soap which is imported from France...Trader Jacques!).

Some of the standout green offerings include:

• Trader Joe's Plant-Based formula Laundry Detergent Powder.
  This product is unscented, non-toxic and contains no harsh ingredients. Works on all temperatures and all types of machines.
• Trader Joe's Lavender Liquid Laundry Detergent.
  If you prefer liquid, the lavender scent is created from essential lavender oils and is gentle, not overpowering. The liquid is clear, PH balanced, has no harsh chemicals and is non-polluting.
• Trader Joe's Pop Up Sponges.
  These are the cutest things! And they won't harm your skin or the environment! A neat, economical set of 12 flattened dry sponges per package. Just dip in water before use and poof! Instant sponge! Made of all natural vegetable cellulose, these sponges pop up to the same size as a standard sponge.
• Trader Joe's ...Next To Godliness Liquid Dish Soap.
  Features "lots of foam" and comes in delicious scents like "Tea Tee Lavender" and "Mandarin Orange." The colors are pretty to keep on your kitchen counter....translucent purple and orange!
• Trader Joe's Multi Purpose Cleaner
  Use it on tile, fridge, sinks, tubs, whatever you would use a multipurpose cleaner for. No harsh chemicals or toxins, and no animals died while testing to see if the product will make your stove shine.

In addition, Trader Joe's takes care of many personal cleanliness needs with eco-and-body friendly items that can be used from head to toe.

Try the Lemon Verbena citrus soap bar which is enriched with shea butter...both your skin and the environment will thank you. Liquid Glycerin soap is kind to hardworking hands in the kitchen and the gentle scent is a nice touch.

But cleanliness goes more than skin deep: to ensure that the fruits and veggies you've picked up in the next aisle at Trader Joe's are free of dirt and toxins, grab a few containers of Environne Fruit and Vegetable Wash, proven to remove pesticides, waxes and chemicals from your fresh goods.

The infamous Simone de Beauvoir was quoted as having once said, "Few tasks are more like the torture of Sisyphus than housework!" She might have thought differently had she lived near Trader Joe's....