Your Green Review

A couple of months ago, Columbus-based Shaklee representative April Rhoden lent me a basket full of cleaning products to test in my home.  For a little over a week I did away with my usual cleaning kit (vinegar, baking soda, castile soap etc.) and used only the Shaklee products I received from Mrs. Rhoden. 

The Rundown:

What: Shaklee Get Clean product line

Price: Ranges from $8 for dishwashing concentrate to $115 for an entire cleaning kit (plus tax and shipping)

Product Ingredients: Varies (see Shaklee’s Ingredient Glossary here  for an overview of ingredients by product)

What Makes it Green:

With the growing frequency of greenwashing, YGR contacted Shaklee to verify/clarify its green claims.  Below is information obtained from Shaklee sources.

• Free of (some) common toxins: While Shaklee does not disclose its ingredients, it does give a list of chemicals you won’t find in its products, including:  1,4-dioxane, kerosene, phenols, cresol, lye, hydrochloric acid, sulfunic acid, salfamic acid, petroleum distilates, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, butyl cellosolve, phosphoric acid, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach, morpholine and (some) phthalates.
• Readily Biodegradable: All cleaning products (except the Basic-G Germicide and Soft Fabric Concentrate) are classified as Readily Biodegradable ( 60% of its organic chemical load biodegrades in 28 days).  Shaklee biodegradability claims are verified by the Modified Biodegradabiltiy Test protocol developed by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
• “All Natural”:  Shaklee claims all of its cleaning products contain at least 80% ‘All Natural’ ingredients.  Shaklee states that “A good working definition of “natural” would be as close to nature as possible with the least amount of processing needed to dliver claimed nutrients”
• “Non-Toxic”: Accorind to Shaklee, “Get Clean produc ts that carry the non-toxic claim are made from ingredients for which there is sufficient data without animal testing to validate the non-toxic claim”.
• “Eco-friendly packaging”.  Shaklee states that its product packaging uses water-based inks, recycled materials, and contains no bisphenol-A
• Sustainable business practices: The Shaklee corporation has been widely recognized for its environmental and social stewardship including its efforts to manage, reduce and offset its GHG emissions, build ‘green’ and promote social ventures. 

Pros:

• Overall, products were very effective.  Each product was tested for effectiveness and performance under normal to extra-dirty conditions (letting the kids take part in the mess-making was a real treat for my 5 year old!).  Almost all products performed as well or better than conventional cleaning supplies (a few drawbacks are listed below under ‘Cons’).
• No strong scents.  There were no overpowering chemical-laden odors during or after use…in fact there were almost no odors at all.   This is especially important to anyone with fragrance sensitivities, asthma or other respitory problems.
• A little bit goes a long way.  Sure, it’s not as cheap as Clorox Wipes but most Shaklee products are concentrated and, according to Shaklee, the average family would have to spend around $3,400 at the grocery to get “the same amount of clean” you get from their Get Clean Special Edition Kit.  Very truly, a little Shaklee goes a long way.
• Versatility.  Shaklee’s Basic H cleaner has more than one use around the house (bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, window cleaner etc.) and does not appear to be damaging to wood or any other sensitive surfaces.

Cons:

• Kid safe or not?  My biggest qualm with Shaklee is the lack of full ingredient disclosure.  As a parent, it’s helpful to know what’s not in my household products but without knowing what is in them, it is difficult to say whether these products are truly kid-safe.
• Products claim to be ‘Organic’ but it is not clear whether the company simply uses the term ‘organic’ as a part of the product name or is actually referring to ingredients that are compliant with USDA food-grade Organic standards.
• Contains Phthalates.  6 out of 11 of its cleaning products contain fragrances with pthalates (suspected endocrine disruptors).
• Residue.   A few products (including the Basic H Organic Concentrate) left a small amount of residue on floors, windows and mirrors.  The film easily wiped off  with a little vinegar.

For more on Shaklee…

Environmental Achievements

http://www.shaklee.com/causes_achievements.shtml

Cleaning Products

http://www.shaklee.com/products_prod_getclean.shtml