Comments on: In the Kitchen – Healthy Cooking, Healthy Cleaning http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/ Celebrating local sustainable food, educating consumers on food-related issues and working to build community through food. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:42:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sustainable Table’s July Kid-Friendly Newsletter | Sustainable Table http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/comment-page-1/#comment-268657 Sustainable Table’s July Kid-Friendly Newsletter | Sustainable Table Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:32:24 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3391#comment-268657 [...] July 3rd, In the Kitchen - Healthy Cooking, Healthy Cleaning [...] [...] July 3rd, In the Kitchen – Healthy Cooking, Healthy Cleaning [...]

]]> By: Barbara http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/comment-page-1/#comment-268598 Barbara Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:27:04 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3391#comment-268598 Marketing safer cleaning products is an even more complex subject when viewed from a business perspective. Several years ago, I worked on a project that introduced a line of healthier cleaning products. Prior to its release, a majority of consumers the company polled during the research and development phase indicated that they would prefer a "natural" product over cleaners with harsh chemicals. Cut to the supermarket: The reality was that first and foremost, the , buyers voted with their pocketbooks and bought the same old lower-priced "commercial" cleaners over the healthier choice. Makers of natural cleaning products need to take competitive pricing into consideration when they market a product. Furthermore, once they convince a consumer to switch to their brand and possibly even pay a few cents more, that product had better work as promised or they've lost a customer for life. Homework needs to be done on both sides. Sure, consumers need to familiarize themselves with what constitutes a healthy product. On the flip side, companies that produce safer cleaners need to make certain that their products are not only better for us but truly effective and competitively priced. If they don't, they will never be viable enough to influence healthier decisions on a meaningful scale. Marketing safer cleaning products is an even more complex subject when viewed from a business perspective. Several years ago, I worked on a project that introduced a line of healthier cleaning products. Prior to its release, a majority of consumers the company polled during the research and development phase indicated that they would prefer a “natural” product over cleaners with harsh chemicals.

Cut to the supermarket: The reality was that first and foremost, the , buyers voted with their pocketbooks and bought the same old lower-priced “commercial” cleaners over the healthier choice. Makers of natural cleaning products need to take competitive pricing into consideration when they market a product. Furthermore, once they convince a consumer to switch to their brand and possibly even pay a few cents more, that product had better work as promised or they’ve lost a customer for life.

Homework needs to be done on both sides. Sure, consumers need to familiarize themselves with what constitutes a healthy product. On the flip side, companies that produce safer cleaners need to make certain that their products are not only better for us but truly effective and competitively priced. If they don’t, they will never be viable enough to influence healthier decisions on a meaningful scale.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/comment-page-1/#comment-268543 Dawn Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:53:49 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3391#comment-268543 Thanks to both of you for your comments, it is truly frightening and the chemicals are everywhere! If we try to eliminate or alter what we consume/purchase little by little, it will all add up. I think it's best not to get overwhelmed, but to pick one thing and see what we can do to fix it. I am making the commitment to find something else to clean my toilet with! Thanks to both of you for your comments, it is truly frightening and the chemicals are everywhere! If we try to eliminate or alter what we consume/purchase little by little, it will all add up. I think it’s best not to get overwhelmed, but to pick one thing and see what we can do to fix it. I am making the commitment to find something else to clean my toilet with!

]]> By: Dave http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/comment-page-1/#comment-268536 Dave Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:03:31 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3391#comment-268536 THe same harmful chemicals can be seen in the cleaning products for the carpet and floor cleaning industries. A good starting place is the Material safety data sheet (MSDS. THe same harmful chemicals can be seen in the cleaning products for the carpet and floor cleaning industries. A good starting place is the Material safety data sheet (MSDS.

]]> By: Noelle http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/in-the-kitchen-healthy-cooking-healthy-cleaning/comment-page-1/#comment-268529 Noelle Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:29:46 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3391#comment-268529 The amount of toxic chemicals in our lives is truly frightening. My family is making the switch to organic and plant-based food. Cleaning products will go on our list too. Another thing we're worried about is plastic food storage containers. I'm looking for more glass/ceramic, but even with that, how do you know everything to which the product will expose you? The amount of toxic chemicals in our lives is truly frightening. My family is making the switch to organic and plant-based food. Cleaning products will go on our list too. Another thing we’re worried about is plastic food storage containers. I’m looking for more glass/ceramic, but even with that, how do you know everything to which the product will expose you?

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