San Francisco Giants seek the best record—environmentally, if not in the standings

The San Francisco Giants aren't cleaning up in this year's division race. The Giants are 7.5 games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, and even after last night's fine pitching performance by their young ace Tim Lincecum, remain 3.5 games back of the wild-card-leading Colorado Rockies and have only a 14.2 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to CoolStandings.com.

While its attention is clearly on the Major League Baseball playoffs, the club has also focused on greener cleaning for its uniforms, having abandoned laundry detergents with phosphates, chemicals that can boost cleaning performance but also promote harmful algae growth in waterways. The team's official supplier of laundry detergent is Vaska Products, a Berkeley, California, manufacturer that claims all its cleaning products are free of phosphates. (The Giants use a commercial product.) Read our latest report on laundry detergents, in which we note that manufacturers can make green claims without any checks or federal standards. The full story and ratings are available to subscribers.

"We want the very best for our players and for the environment, and when Vaska demonstrated that their approach effectively cleans tough game stains, left the uniforms softer and smelling better than ever, and is gray-water safe, we did not hesitate to use their products in our clubhouse," Mike Murphy, the Giants clubhouse manager, told Treehugger.com.

Switching to a phosphate-free detergent is part of a broader green initiative by the Giants at their AT&T Park (shown). The team has incorporated solar technology throughout the stadium, replaced hundreds of incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and installed a new irrigation system designed to reduce water use for the field by up to 50 percent.

Phosphates were banned from use in consumer powdered laundry detergents by the mid-1990s, and liquid laundry detergents have never contained them. But it's a different story for dishwasher detergents, many of which still contain phosphates. Some states have banned dishwasher detergents with phosphates.

For our latest report on dishwasher detergents (ratings available to subscribers), we tested several phosphate-free products. Several performed worse than cleaners with phosphates, but phosphate-free Method Smarty Dish did score very good overall.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Read the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and our new Energy Saving & Green Living guide for more advice on lowering your utility bills, including an in-depth look at solar water heaters and wood-pellet stoves.

What's new on ConsumerReports.org: October 2009 home-related content

Tests that reveal the pros, cons and long-term costs of pellet-burning stoves and solar water heaters headline the new Energy Saving and Green Living Guide that we've published in tandem with these stories from our October 2009 issue. Among the key findings:

• Pellet stoves and solar water heaters. Our Alternative Energy overview reveals how both pellet-burning stoves and solar water heaters could reduce heating costs. But their high prices ($1,300 to $3,900 for pellet stoves; $2,200 to $6000 for solar water heaters, not including installation) and in the case of pellet stoves, higher operating costs (burning pellets is more costly and more polluting than burning natural gas) can lengthen payback times. Both also require upkeep and maintenance. Ratings of pellet stoves and an interim report our solar water heater testing are available to subscribers.

• Simple energy savings. Cut your Energy Bills lists more low-cost and cost-effective ways to reduce your utility bills, including specific tactics for heating and cooling, water consumption, and electricity use.
 
• Tracking federal incentives. See qualification criteria, installation costs, and annual monetary savings from the many energy-savings products and projects eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. We also describe how energy audits (done by private firms or on your own with help from government Web sites) can spot home energy wasters.

• CFLs now offer savings and style. Choosing the right compact fluorescent lights is another great way to cut your electric bills. They've been showing up in more and more fixtures, and our ratings (available to subscribers) include models that will work in conventional lights and recessed and track lights, outdoor and flood lights and porch/post lights.

• Readers share mattress ratings. When it's lights out, tap into the wisdom of 17,444 Consumer Reports readers who shared their ratings of the best mattress brands and retailers.

• Vacuums for tough times. Our report on Vacuums rates the performance of both the high-powered high-end and low-priced (but still well performing) models that manufacturers are rolling out during this recession.

• Standout shower towers. Our tests of shower towers revealed three models that could provide an invigorating spray while staying within federal water-consumption regulations and avoiding surcharges imposed by some utilities for heavy water use.

• The scoop on a robotic gutter cleaner. We unleashed the iRobot Looj 155 robotic cleaner on some sections of leaf-clogged gutters and found its promise exceeded its performance. Subscribers can read the full report here.

• Snow blower problem. We found a Toro snow blower that lacks an essential safety feature and gave it our Don't Buy: Safety Alert rating. But safe and cost-effective blowers did abound in our new ratings of 17 models (available to subscribers).

• Green dishwasher detergents wash out. Our tests of three phosphate-free dishwasher detergents also proved disappointing, although you can find capable phosphate-free performers in our August 2009 review of dishwasher detergents.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Find our more about upcoming increases in federal incentives for energy-efficient appliances.

Q&A: I've seen green labels on dishwasher detergents. Are they legit?

I've noticed all kinds of green claims and labels on a number of cleaners, specifically dishwasher detergents. What makes a these cleaners green?

We've seen these eco-friendly claims and labels, too. Some are meaningful, others meaningless. Terms like "natural," "environmentally friendly," and "nontoxic" lack standard definitions. Even "biodegradable" means little unless the information is specific, such as "biodegradable in three days" or "certified biodegradable."

But some of the claims you'll see aren't greenwashing and can point you in the direction of greener cleaners. A statement that a detergent is "certified biodegradable" has been independently verified, as is the Leaping Bunny symbol on Earth Friendly and Seventh Generation detergents. The presence of that logo indicates that a product wasn't tested on animals during any stage of its development. Keep this shopping tip in mind: Look for specific claims such as "contains no artificial dyes or fragrances," then look at the ingredients list if there is one, which might help confirm the claim.

In the end, you'll probably want a detergent that cleans well. In our August 2009 report on dishwasher detergents (story and ratings available to subscribers), one Cascade detergent was excellent and five other cleaners were very good, including the phosphate-free Method Smarty Dish tablets (shown).
Other tested detergents without phosphates tended to perform worst overall. Method's success might be due to the amount and type of enzymes in its formulation. Enzymes help break up food for easier removal.

Whichever dishwasher detergent you use, follow the tips below to get the cleanest dishes. And remember, don't machine-wash items made of brass, bronze, cast iron, disposable plastic, gold-leaf china, or wood.

1. Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher so they don't block water and detergent from other dishes.
2. Orient the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine.
3. Don't let dishes or utensils nest or rest side by side. If your dishwasher has an open basket, mix spoons, forks, and knives so they won't nest together.
4. Use the top rack for plastic and more-delicate items.
5. Rest glasses on prongs so they stay upright and don't fill with water.
6. Load silverware with handles down; knives, with handles up. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, read our latest report and check out our free buyer's guide.

August 2009 Report on Dishwasher Detergents: Do greener cleaners get the job done?

Phosphates help dishwasher detergents clean better, but they also boost algae growth in freshwater, threatening fish and plant life. Bans on dishwasher detergents with all but trace amounts of phosphates, like the one in effect in Spokane, Washington, are designed to help the environment.

But many of the eco-friendly dishwasher detergents we recently tested are not great cleaners. Read our latest report on dishwasher detergents (available to subscribers) to find out which of the liquid, packet, powder, and tablet products scored the best in our tough tests, and watch our video on how we test dishwasher detergents (right).

To get the cleanest dishes, scrape off heavy soil before you load them into your dishwasher. Skip the prerinsing, which wastes energy and water. Then:
• Load large items at the sides and back so they don't block water and detergent.
• Face the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine.
• Keep dishes and utensils from nesting.
• Place glasses upside down on prongs so that they don't fill with water. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, read our latest report and check out our free buyer's guide.

Dirty dishes drive Washington residents in search of phosphate-free detergents

Back in the mid-19th century, the message was, Go west, young man. Since last summer in the Spokane, Washington, area, however, people have been heading eastward to Idaho. They're not in search of land or riches or potatoes; rather, it's dishwasher detergents they're after, according to this recent Associated Press story.

After the ban on the sale of dishwasher detergents with more than 0.5 percent phosphate (some detergents have up to 9 percent) went into effect in the Spokane area last summer, many consumers in the city became unhappy with how well some eco-friendly phosphate-free products cleaned their dishes. So they've been making the quick trip east on Interstate 90 into Idaho, where they can stock up on the dishwasher detergents of their choice.

The ban will go into effect throughout Washington on July 1, 2010. Fourteen other states currently have passed similar legislation or are considering banning detergents with phosphate, and a bill calling for a nationwide ban was introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 24.

Phosphates boost the cleaning power of detergents, but they also encourage algae growth in freshwater, which robs the water of oxygen for fish and plants. But that hasn't deterred consumers. "Yes, I am a smuggler," one shopper at an Idaho store told the AP. She stressed that she had tried green dishwasher detergents but her plates were left with grime and bits of food after being washed.

Our past test of dishwasher detergents showed that some phosphate-free products did a good to excellent job cleaning. However, manufacturers have reformulated their products, and the early indications in our ongoing tests are not encouraging for many phosphate-free dishwasher detergents.

Stay tuned for more results as they become available.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter

Essential information: Find out how proper loading can improve the performance of your dishwasher, and if you're in the market for a new dishwasher, load up on our expert buying advice.

The growing trend in shrinking consumer products

A recent post on our new sibling site, Consumerist.com, details the downsizing of Dawn Ultra antibacterial dishwashing liquid and hand soap—the erstwhile 11-ounce container has lost 0.7 ounces.

We've been covering this consumer-product trend for years, most recently in the October 2008 story "The Lowdown on Downsized Products," which offers some tips to stretch your shopping dollars as manufacturers shrink their packages but rarely lower your cost.

We also know that you're aware of these moves by manufacturers. Seventy-five percent of respondents to a July 2008 survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center indicated they noticed that they're getting less in packages; 71 percent said the desire by companies to hide price increases from consumers was the main reason for the contracting containers.

If you come across other shrinking home products—dishwasher detergents or dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents or fabric softeners, and other household cleaners—send us a note with all the details or post a comment below.

Essential information: Learn about the best dishwashing liquids. For Dawn devotees, you might be able to offset any packaging shenanigans with special offers from manufacturer Procter & Gamble.

Greener cleaners for your dishes?

As part of our latest report on dishwashing liquids, we tested four products that make green claims: Earth Friendly Dishmate Ultra, Ecover Ecological Dishwashing, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, and Trader Joe’s Dish Soap. All of these cleaners did at least a very good job cleaning dishes, but are they as green as they appear?

You might think so, since their packaging features words like “biodegradable,” “natural,” “environmentally friendly,” and “nontoxic.” But, as they say, never assume anything. For instance, “biodegradable” means little unless the claim is specific, such as “biodegradable in three days” or “certified biodegradable.”

If you want to buy a cleaner that’s somewhat gentler on the environment—say one that contains a renewable, plant-based cleaning agent instead of a petroleum-based one—be sure the green claim is real. “Certified biodegradable,” for example, is independently verified. Visit our Eco-labels Web site for information on environmental labels on a range of consumer goods, including household cleaners, food, and personal-hygiene products.

Perhaps your concerns are more about how humane a product is than how green it is. To find out whether a dishwashing liquid was tested on animals, look for the Leaping Bunny logo (shown). That independently verified seal of approval indicates a product wasn’t tested on animals during any stage of its development. The Earth Friendly and Seventh Generation liquids we tested both meet the Leaping Bunny standard.

Finally, if you want to avoid the cloying, potentially allergy-inducing scents of some cleaners, look for specific claims, such as “contains no artificial dyes or fragrances,” then check the ingredients list.

Essential information: See which dishwashing liquids topped our Ratings in the January 2008 issue of Consumer Reports or on ConsumerReports.org. If you’re in the market for a new sink or faucet to wash your dishes with, read “Money down the drain?” If you’d prefer to let a machine do the work, read our buying advice for dishwashers and see our Ratings (available to subscribers).