How I Pick Products

I’m not a scientist or a lab. I’m one person trying to figure out which green products are worth buying. Here’s the process I use, so you can judge my picks for yourself.

The three checks

Every product I recommend has to pass these three checks. If it fails one, it doesn’t make the list.

1. A third-party seal

I look for certification from a group that doesn’t sell the product, like EPA Safer Choice, MADE SAFE, or EWG Verified. A leaf on the label or the word “natural” doesn’t count, because anyone can print those.

2. A full ingredient list

The brand has to publish every ingredient, on the label or on its website. If a company won’t tell you what’s in it, I won’t recommend it.

3. An honest trade-off

Every product has a downside, like a higher price, a scent some people won’t like, more effort, or plastic packaging. I tell you what it is so you can decide if it’s worth it for you.

Where my information comes from

I check claims against government agencies like the EPA and FDA, the certifiers’ own databases, and the brands’ published ingredient lists. I link to these sources in each post so you can check them yourself.

What I can’t do

I don’t run lab tests, and I can’t test every product long-term. When I haven’t used something myself, or couldn’t verify a claim, I say so in the post.

Money

Some links on this site earn me a small commission. That never changes which products pass the checks. You can read the details on the affiliate disclosure page.

Mistakes and updates

Formulas, certifications, and prices change. When I find out a product no longer passes, I update the post and change the date at the top. If you spot something wrong, tell me through the contact page and I’ll fix it.