FlamingText

"Great Regular (n). (Mentha Ersatzenica) Species of mint common to the upper Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada, characterized by medium green leaves with large deep scallops; emits a pleasantly mild scent. Used as primary flavor ingredient in common dentifrice gels and pastes."

What, no fennel baking soda orangemint for you?

Shannon: In my house we have a term for a whole range of products we refer to as "the environmentally-friendly products that don't work." These include household cleansers that are non-toxic (bearing in mind that the idea of disinfectants is to KILL germs, not reform them) and an organic, non-toxic drain cleaner that supposedly contains "active cultures" but no solvents. Because we mean well, we often buy these things, try to use them, and then give up and buy some poisonous concoction that actually performs as advertised. The mostly-unused "green" options linger on our shelves for years as forlorn reminders of our foiled good intentions.

I am willing to wash with Dr. Bronner's All-In-One(which also is fun to read in the shower, I might add), use Seventh Generation Toilet Tissue (in spite of its unfortunate name) and on occasion I am even willing to use the use the tea-tree oil deodorant that leaves me smelling like a blend of sweat and tea-tree oil, but I draw the line at Tom's of Maine. I know flouride is supposed to be bad for some reason, but my theory is that the germs living in dental plaque are hard cases and just laugh off that wimpy hippie toothpaste the same way a classroom of juvenile delinquents would a substitute teacher fresh out of Berkeley who wants them to get in touch with their feelings.

As far as I'm concerned, when you've got a classroom full of unruly Sweathogs, you need Mr. Kotter, and when you've got a mouthful of tooth-destroying plaque, you need flouride.

But, but ... Tom's of Maine DOES make flouride kinds, even in something pretty close to "great regular flavor". Of course, you can't get those kinds in Wales, so we've been through exactly your flouride logic process and are back to the main brands again while here. And also with the bleach bathroom cleaner. Though we do find eco dish soap (here known as "washing up liquid") and laundry soap adequate to our dish and clothing hygiene standards.

But also, is your term "environmentally friendly products that don't work" or have you come up with a shorter term?

I think you need a catchier name for those "environmentally-friendly products that don't work." Like you, I try them all out and really *hope* they'll work, and I'm so sad when they let me down.

i recently went against my green cleaning ethics when i moved out of an old apartment. the green cleaners were just NOT cutting the grease/mildew in the kitchen and showers. only nasty chemicals really do that. the rest of the time i'm totally fine with not having a perfectly eat-off-it clean tub and kitchen floor, but i needed that security deposit back....

Cool site. Thanks!!!