Cons: virtually chemical soups, many hazardous ingredients, totally deceptive marketing practices
Seventh Generation is marketing hype at its finest. Every product I have checked so far doesn't even come close to safe, natural and they are all a LONG WAY from the green products that their image portrays so well. I have to wonder if there is even a conscience anywhere in this company. It's really hard to understand how they can have pulled the wool over the eyes of SO many for SO long.
Has anyone ever bothered to read and study the ingredients in Seventh Generation products?
If not, this list is for their "Delicate Care" product (You would guess it would be more benign than others): Aqua (water), pareth-7, coceth-7 and sodium laureth sulfate (plant-derived cleaning agents), sodium hydroxide (alkalinity builder), sodium borate (alkalinity builder and soil dispersant), sorbitol and sodium gluconate (anti-redeposition agent to wash away soils), sodium citrate (water softener), calcium chloride (cleaning enhancer), hexahydro-1,3,5-Tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine (preservative, less than 0.05%) The entire Seventh Generation line is a collection of chemical soups. I did my homework and was shocked! They cleverly attempt to disguise the triazine which has a 9 rating (10 being the worst possible health hazard). Let's see...it's linked to cancer; allergies; immune system toxicity; skin, eye and lung irritation; organ system toxicity; ecotoxicology...need I go on? All their formulas are relatively similar. Amazing that SLS is the fourth ingredient in "Delicate Care". Well at least that only rates as a 4 (moderate hazard). Too bad there's an awful lot in it (being the fourth ingredient). Oh, thanks for letting us know it is plant derived (as many poisons are). Sorry, but this would be better labeled as a biohazard. This particular product is even WORSE. SLS is the SECOND listed ingredient.
I can't understand how the people running these companies can look at themselves in the mirror. Cute kids, green leaves, blue skies blanket their products and site. They state: "In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Okay, now I at least know where the name came from. I guess seven generations ought to be long enough to make us all sick or kill us.
Geesh... A good reference to check out ingredients is Skin Deep's Safety in Cosmetics Database. You'll easily find it if you want to.
Want some quality products? Try NaturOli's Soap Nuts or Ecos' Detergents. No comparison. Both are honest companies that really care. You'll find truly effective, eco-friendly and healthy products. There are others, too. You simply have to stop believing everything on the labels and do some homework. (I know... why does it have to be this way? I hate it.) Oh, If you come across products that only tell you what they DON'T contain, or that their formulas are secret - watch out, big time. For me I've found many such products to be really scary ones - once I was finally able to get the facts on them.
I sincerely hope that I have at least touched a few readers. All my best to you and good luck! :-)
