Customer Reviews

Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I'm a huge fan of cleaning with more natural products, and use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, etc to do so. In that way, I totally agree with the author's message. However, I don't agree with the presentation of the book. An example is the section on fabric softeners and dryer sheets. The author warns that these commercial products may contain limonene and linalool...as suggested alternatives, she mentions essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, bergamot, and rosewood. Throughout the book, she states that these chemicals, limonene and linalool, are scary and toxic...and then suggests essential oils which themselves have these chemicals in their makeup. (The recommendation of rosewood is another issue altogether as the author recommends it (several places) despite environmentalists' growing concerns for its endangered status and for the protection of the rain forests. Not a very "green" thing to do, IMO.) Her own commercial line of cleaning products contain essential oils as well, and I'm betting limonene and linalool can be found in them as a result.

There are dangerous products on the market, no doubt about that. And we as a society are guilty of "over kill" when it comes to "germs". And natural alternatives versus "man-made" chemicals are likely safer and better. I don't disagree with any part of that message.

Again, I am a fan of essential oils, however one must also understand that anything can be dangerous if applied incorrectly or without due care. I felt that many of the suggestions were overboard and failed to include proper warnings. For example, there are some essential oils that shouldn't be used around pets. Most, if not all, shouldn't be used around cats due to a cat's special physiology and the cumulative toxic effect the oils can have on a cat's liver. I didn't see this mentioned anywhere.

The author talks about the dangers of artificial fragrances, but doesn't acknowledge that many of the "dangers" can and do apply to essential oils as well. She constantly mentions "dousing" and "saturating" items with essential oils...which I makes me wonder if she has really ever been around them. Essential oils are powerful and I can't imagine ever having to "douse" anything with them. Generally, a few drops will do. I could go on and on, unfortunately. In the end, I was left feeling that the "homework" the book was based on had been incomplete and that it failed to tell the whole story. A shame as I said I do agree with the author's basic message. But regardless of where the profits go, I have to be honest with my review. I hope that it will be appreciated.

I picked this book up today at my local supermarket. I was disappointed because I was expecting recipes for creating your own cleaning products. Instead, there were only suggestions, such as "add essential oil to your wash cycle." Yes, but how much. There were absolutely NO recipes for creating anything to clean with, and references were made to buy Premade cleaning products that are Green. I think there are better books that provide the same introduction to Green cleaning AND they provide the recipes to make the products yourself. I think this book was a plug for her IMUS cleaning products (although she does list other companies in her Resources Section). Instead of buying the book, just donate your money to The Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer (which the proceeds of this book benefits). If she was trying to find a way to earn money for this cause, then writing this book was a smart idea. The downfall is that it's not useful, cause there are no recipes. I'll be buying another book.

I am giving this book to members of my family and friends. It is a straightforward introduction to green cleaning. I learned a lot reading this book. I went out and purchased the Imus products and am delighted with the results. You can save space, money and time following Deirdre Imus' tips.
Moreover, it is a way to support the Imus ranch and the Imus family who have done so very much for children throughout the years.
I will never go back to the way I cleaned before (using toxic substances) - this way is faster, better, less expensive and healthier.

I have always been somewhat skeptical of using "green" products for cleaning---and some I have actually used in the past have not been as good as the regular products available. However, Deirdre Imus has written a very useful, well-organized overall review of products already in the home that can be used for "green cleaning" Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning (Green This!). I have discovered that white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and salt, in various combinations can do a wonderful job of cleaning in bathrooms and kitchens, for example. Because I became acquainted with her on her husband's talk show, I was willing to buy Deirdre's book and am pleased that I did so.

Were to begin... I agree with all of the negative comments of this book. Basically, if you like to be preached at and like vague instructions this book is for you. It is completely redundant and could have been half as long (maybe less). The title is not only uncreative but inaccurate. She is focused on using natural, nontoxic chemicals for health benefits but not necessarily trying to reduce waste thus also helping the environment. My definition of "green" includes both. For example one suggestion is to buy sponges in bulk and trash your sponge weekly! There are ways to disinfect your sponge "naturally" so you don't have to be so wasteful! Also, I have another thing to add about essential oils. People can still have reactions and allergies to essential oils. Just because something comes from a natural source does not automatically make it safe or nontoxic. Between "Toxic Interruptions" and blanket statements like: "I don't approve of [microwaves]." I was completely irritated while reading this book. Just send your $11 to the Imus Ranch and use your tax deduction to buy a different book!

I found this book to be full of very helpful information! I love the way she breaks down by room and has so many specific definitions for all the toxic chemicals we use. My only criticism is that there is no comprehensive recipe list for the homemade cleaning solutions. I wish there was a list in the back that had every recipe you need for home cleaning. Rather, she has them within the paragraph in each chapter. It makes it tough to go back and fine or copy for future use.

Overall, I loved the book and made some big changes in my home as a result. My son's asthma has disappeared!

This is a great book. I, honestly, only bought it because I was in support of her husband since I didn't think that he should have been fired. However, I'm glad that I did buy it. I didn't realize that the cleaning products I have been using were so dangerous, especially to my 16 month old daughter. Mrs. Imus understands that not everyone has the money to spend on these "green" cleaning products and she instructs the regular person on how to do it. The only thing I did not like about the book is that there are no lists, such as a "do this, not that" kind of list. Everything is listed in paragraph form, so you often have to go back and forth throughout the book in order to find what you are looking for. I would have loved to have a summary chart on the products I should be looking for. I found myself taking notes while I was reading it so that I could have all of the information I wanted in a short format.

I purchased this book thinking that there may be cleaning recipes/formulas in this book... Nope, no recipes of any sort. Ms. Imus just give you tips of what products you can use to clean your house. This book was a bad investment and I was fairly disappointed because not only does the author failed to add some cleaning formulas, this book also reads like a thesis paper. Like the other reviewers, I couldn't finish the book and considered this a bad investment. For those looking for cleaning recipes, I would recommend any Haley cleaning book by Graham Haley and Rosemary Haley.

"Green This!", to me, looks like a great starter book for someone who has never considered cleaning green, or wants to, but has no idea where to start. I did not think it was an ad for her products as I only saw them mentioned maybe 4 times in the entire book. The author refers to many other store bought natural products, so it is helpful for the person that really does not want to make home made products, but wants to learn how and where to buy the right stuff to use and why the chemical stuff is bad. The author also mentions different homemade combo's using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and salt, and how to use them. She offers many helpful tips. She includes an extensive reference on what chemicals are harmful. I think it is a good book, but probably not for someone who is already cleaning green. This is a starter book for sure.

Deirdre Imus' new book is great! It is full of hands on practical advice that will make your home a safer place for your children. I have been using The Imus Greening the Cleaning products for several years-they work well! I made the mistake of buying carpet spot cleaner from another company and by using it I had to take my daughter to the Emergency Room with her first asthma attack ever! Never again! Follow the recommendations in this book to stay environmentally friendly and keep your kids safe! Having the profits go to a program for Kids with Cancer is a nice bonus! The work that the Imus family has done for children,the environment,our military families,and our veterans far outweighs one stupid thoughtless remark!Buy this book and boycott MSNBC.