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The scoop on Kirkland Signature environmentally friendly cleaning products

For the best results when using any of the Kirkland Signature environmentally friendly cleaning products, follow the package directions and measure precisely, advises Pat Volchok, Costco’s consumer reporter.

BuyingSmart

Consumer reporter Pat Volchok gives a behind-the-scenes look at Costco products and services. Send your questions to: buyingsmart@ costco.com.

UN TIL RECENTLY the green cleaning movement—using household cleaners made from environmentally friendly ingredients— seemed muddied by products short on valid eco-claims and cleaning performance yet high on price and false promises.

Feeling pretty green-shy, I nonetheless took my habitual leap of faith when it comes to all things created by Costco and purchased the newly launched, U.S.-made Kirkland Signature™ environmentally friendly liquid laundry detergent.

Price and performance

The cost—less than 14 cents per wash load versus the 20 to 44 cents I usually spend on regular brands—immediately impressed me. The label lists many biodegradable and biorenewable properties, including powerful cleaning agents made from coconut and palm

oils rather than petroleum-based chemicals. Equally pleasing are the statements “CRUELTY FREE, NO ANIMAL TESTING” and “SAFE FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS”; a toll-free 800 number for questions (1-800-774-2678); and the HE symbol, which is found only on the detergents approved for high-efficiency (HE) washers.

The 170-fluid-ounce (enough for 110 loads) recyclable bottle is made of at least 25 percent recycled material and is easy to manage. The double-concentrated formula is doubly good for the environment, with less water used in manufacturing and a smaller amount of detergent needed to clean.

Cleaning results are excellent (see “Pat’s Test Kitchen”). Consequently, the other three Kirkland Signature eco-cleaning products, all equally stellar, with recyclable packaging and biodegradable and biorenewable cleaning agents, now also reside in our home.