Seventh Generation

Just in time for my spring cleaning, I recently received a Seventh Generation tote filled with products to help me “green-clean” my home.

According to the website, “One of the country's first self-declared ‘socially responsible’ companies, Seventh Generation is a business that operates according to a new and different set of principles and values that in many ways are a marked departure from those long considered 'traditional.' Its business practice is focused on offering people avenues to express their idealism, passion, and commitment to causes larger than themselves at every point along its supply chain—from suppliers and partners to shareholders, customers and its own staff.”

I already use some Seventh Generation products in my home, but I was fortunate to receive new products to try: Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Pacs (ARV $5.49), Rinse Aid (ARV $5.19), 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue (4 rolls ARV $4.49) and Natural All Purpose Cleaner (ARV $5.39).

I don’t have a dishwasher, but we gave one of our friends the Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Pacs and Rinse Aid to try out, and the results--"easy to use, left no residue, and the dishes were left clean."

Although the Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue was not as soft as other bathroom tissues I've used, it worked just as well, and the fact that it's made from 100% recycled paper more than makes up for the fact that it's not super soft.

I used the Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner to clean my entire kitchen from top to bottom. There was a slight citrusy scent, and it cleaned a variety of surfaces. I used it on my fridge, the sinks, the stove tops, the counter tops, the floor—literally the entire kitchen! It’s been months since my kitchen was that clean!

One of the areas I always hate cleaning in the kitchen is under the sink. I can’t remember when was the last time I cleaned under the sink, but I ended up finding lots of old cleaners that were bought at least 3 years ago that I wouldn’t use in my home now. They definitely were not eco-friendly cleaners—I had no idea what kinds of chemicals were in them.

According to the Seventh Generation blog, 7Gen Blog:

• Forty-seven percent of us can't name a single ingredient in our household cleaners
• More than half of us have never checked a cleaning product's label to assess the ingredients or warnings
• Furthermore, one in five of us don't take steps to safeguard our families from more than 60 chemicals found in the average American home
  

Thankfully, Seventh Generation created Health eHome in collaboration with WebMD and Healthy Child Healthy World to inspire “parents to create healthier environments for their children.” By taking the Health eHome Check, you can get tips and watch videos on how to make your home safer and greener, and determine what places and products (like those under your kitchen sink) should be dealt with and how.

I also received the book Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning by Jeffrey Hollender and Geoff Davis, with Meika Hollender and Reed Doyle (ARV $16.95). Naturally Clean explores dangers of traditional cleaners and how they affect us and the environment, and provides us with alternatives as well as a handy chart of recommended products that pose the least risk to ourselves and the environment. It is a very informative book that I know I’ll be referring to often for cleaning tips and product recommendations.

I don’t have a completely green, chemical-free home, but thanks to great companies such as Seventh Generation, which is helping us create cleaner, greener, safer environments for our families through its many products and through innovative resources such as the Health eHome, I’m getting greener everyday.

Shop: You can purchase Seventh Generation cleaners, baby products, and more at various retailers online and nationwide, or you can click here to find a retailer near you.

Savvy Savings: Become a Seventh Generation Nation member and access great coupons and special offers on Seventh Generation Products!

Win: Seventh Generation is sponsoring a giveaway of a Home Starter Kit (ARV $35) for one lucky winner, which includes: Ruby Grapefruit & Herb Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner, Green Mandarin & Leaf Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, Emerald Cypress & Fir Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Green Mandarin & Leaf Shower Cleaner, Emerald Cypress & Fir Tub & Tile Cleaner, Wild Orange & Cedar Spice Kitchen Cleaner, 1 roll of Natural Paper Towels, Seventh Generation tote.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to purplegengar!

• To enter, visit Seventh Generation and comment on your favorite product or product you’d like to try (please be specific).
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
  1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Seventh Generation
  2)Subscribe to my feed
  3)Add my button to your sidebar
  4)Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is April 29, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on April 30, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck!

Thank you to Seventh Generation for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Posted in: All-Purpose Cleaner,Bathroom Tissue,books,giveaways,Health eHome,Naturally Clean,reviews,Seventh Generation