Costco Kirkland Signature Eco Friendly Cleaners
Posted by easy eco blog
Costco has new Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly – Eco Friendly cleaner made from environmentally friendly ingredients that are biodegradable and biorenewable. Plant based formula, made from bio-renewable resources. No Phosphates or dyes, cruelty free, natural fragrance. Costco Connection has an article on this product in Costco Magazine page 55.
Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly fabric softener is also available. It uses biodegradable softening agents.
Costco Kirkland Signature Eco Friendly Cleaner Ingredients
Costco lists all active agreements. Coconut and palm oils ingredients as well as natural plant oils are used. MSDS documents are tough to get. Calling Costco at 800-774-2678 lead to a recommendation to call their supplier for these products, Huish detergents – Sun Products, at 800-776-6702. You can call them and ask for the MSDS documents.
Costco follows the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) requirement of cleaning agent degrading. Biodegrades 70% in 28 days after functioning.
Costco has stated that “Palm and coconut products are purchased only from certified-sustainable plantations where deforestation and irreversible damage to the ecosystem are forbidden.”
Per the MSDS documents, the Multi Purpose Cleaner has Cocamide DEA (From coconut oil, toxicity) and d-limonene (major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind). They do not indicate how much is present.
The Liquid Dish Detergent has Ethanol. (On the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders)
Liquid Laundry Detergent did not list items on its MSDS.
Digging into a product takes a while but can produce some interesting results. At least Costco is moving in the right direction. Using these products rather than old fashion ‘regular’ cleaners is a step in the right direction.
Alternative Eco Friendly, Green Cleaning products
An easier route we take is buying Planet, Seventh Generation, or Method product from a local grocery store or Amazon. Free shipping and low prices make it easy. These vendors clearly declare ingredients used in their products. No need to lug the heavy items too!
Related posts:
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- MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets – What ingredients are in a product?
- Clorox Green Works Laundry Detergent Deal
- Scotts Miracle Gro EcoSense Eco Friendly Green Gardening Products
- What is a Natural Cleaner or Natural home care product ?
- Safeway Bright Green Eco-friendly Products – Scotch Brite Greener Cleaner Green cleaning products
- Eco Friendly Green Toliet Paper
Filed under: Cleaning, Easy, Eco Friendly, Effort, Environment, Green, Home, Kitchen, Waste | Tags: Costco, Eco Friendly Cleaners, Huish Detergents, MSDS
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26 Responses to “Costco Kirkland Signature Eco Friendly Cleaners”
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February 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Hello! “…Costco lists all active agreements. Coconut and palm oils ingredients as well as natural plant oils are used…”
- Yes, coconut oil and other tropical oils are certainly eco-friendly. Kind of like “nature just going back to nature…” Just my two cents.
Cheers,
CoconutOilGuy
http://www.coconut-oil-central.com
Your Drugstore in a Bottle
May 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
thankk ou for the information. i need the input of those who can understand “ingredients”
May 20th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
>An easier route we take is buying Planet, Seventh Generation, or Planet >product from Amazon. Free shipping and low prices make it easy. No need >to lug the heavy items too!
Oh good grief! Do you have any idea what the carbon footprint is on a single order of cleaning products packaged and shipped to you via UPS from Amazon? This is NOT the way to be ecologically friendly. A distribution method such as one used by Costco is much more ecologically friendly – which BTW, is why it is also cheaper. Talk about being penny wise and pound foolish! The first thing to do when trying to be ecologically friendly and lowering your carbon footprint is to use common sense.
June 7th, 2009 at 7:50 am
My sister purchased the Costco Kirkland Eco Friendly laundry detergent and broke out in hives all over her neck and back. She has a slight allergy to shrimp, and clearly was very allergic to somthing in this detergent. She’s going back to her regular detergent.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
We have been using this detergent for about 6 weeks and last week I developed a very itchy rash. I’m not completely certain it is the detergent, but it started the day after I the cap fell off the detergent when I was starting a load so I got some extra detergent in the wash. I rewashed everything, but this rash will not go away and it is driving me nuts! It appears I have developed a sensitivity. I hope this is the case because the next most likely possiblity is an allergy to gluten.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:27 am
the Kirkland dish detergent has way too strong a smell – I smell it from the next room. Tone it down, please.
October 25th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I saw the info on being allergic and I’m having the exact same response. I’m also allergic to shrimp. I think it’s this and need to try something new. Thanks for putting this info in.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
DO NOT USE THIS STUFF ON PLASTIC!
My wife ruined a Rubbermaid one gallon plastic container that I have used to make ice tea in for about 3-4 years. She washed the container in “Kirkland Brand environmentally friendly liquid dish soap” over two weeks ago,and I am still trying to get the smell and taste out. I think the thing is ruined. I even tried bleach and the soap smell over powers the bleach. Talk about strong! Over ten gallons of water soakings don’t even help. It still smells like soap.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 pm
My son is also allergic to the eco-friendly detergent. It took several visits to the pediatrician and emergency room. Finally, a co-workerasked if we had a new detergent that might be creating the rashes. So we stopped using it and it started to immediately clear up. He is not allergic to shrimp, however, as others have suggested. We are unsure of what ingredient in the detergent that he is allergic to.
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I too have had a rash develop all over my chest, neck,shoulders and back. It does not itch or hurt. Looks like chicken pox. Seeing dermatologist, he’s stumped, but I think I may have found the culprit, Ecos laundry detergent. I’m switching back to old detergent, and we’ll see if the rash leaves.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
My husband also broke out in a rash around his neck and shoulders after I started using this detergent. There is something in there that is causing a problem for those sensitive to it!
March 30th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Thanks all. After using the detergent for a month developed a hives. This has happened before when I’ve used a eco-friendly product. They should label their products. I am using the lavender scent. I usually use a non fragrance detergent.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:08 am
Have you tried Planet’s laundry detergent? I’ve used it and found it ok.
You can always return the other one to Costco.
July 15th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I received their material data sheet and two ingredients were listed on the OSHA hazard list:
Methyl ester sulfonate
Cocamide DEA
I found the latter on the cosmeticsdatabase.com A summary of their conglomerated research on this ingredient:
According to studies that have been completed –
Known human immune system toxicant – according to National Library of Medicine
Human skin toxicant – strong evidence
Possible carcinogen
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses – according to RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1996
Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans – according to Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
The material data sheet also noted that it is:
Incompatibilities:Strong oxidizers, acids or bases
(these are all things I think that people routinely add to laundry detergents…..)
They claim it is safe if “used according to directions” – I’m wondering now what the directions are on the bottle, if it says not to mix it with bleach (oxidizer) or an acid (like vinegar)…… I also don’t know really what “strong” means here…..
It says that no real protections are required (other than skin protection). But that respiratory protections do not need to be considered…. that said, it also says regarding inhalation that “Prolonged exposure may produce headaches and mucous membrane irritation.” And to avoid “extreme heat” – I’m not sure what “extreme” means. Washers and dryers can get pretty hot.
I emailed memberservice@costco.com to request the MDS.
And then they had it sent to me from noreply@3ecompany.com
The good news is that if you bought it and used it and don’t want it, at least Costco will take it back and grant you a full refund.
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Coconut Oil Guy I hate to inform you that the more plam oil plantations that are planted, the more tropical rain forests that are cut down. Very far from sustainable. Deforestation for palm plantations is big problem in Malaysia & Borneo. Orangetuns will be extinct in 10 year largely because of the problem.
I’m trying to avoid tropical oils in all products while still buying non-animal based cleaners w/ stearic acid, animal glycerin etc., and staying away from petro-based products. A tall order to fill indeed… but not impossible. 7th Generation is committed to sustainable, non forest-destructive palm oils. They show their commitment mainly through a cap & trade program, but that’s better than nothing. Dr. Bronner’s claims it buys it sources its palm & coconut oil fr. small farmers- again better if not optimal.
What’s Kirkland doing to promote sustainable tropical oils ?
October 12th, 2010 at 11:46 am
I developed a severe rash (very red and itching) for 3 weeks already and noticed that my husband has switched to the Kirkland Eco Friendly Detergent. He ssid we’ve been using it for 4-5 months so I’m not sure if this is the problem but it’s very likely. I took methylpredisolone 10mg and the rash came back after I finished the medication. Can anyone suggest on how to get rid of the rash. I’m desperate!
October 13th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
We rewashed everything that we had washed with the Kirkland detergent. If you haven’t rewashed your sheets or any towels you may be accidentally re-exposing yourself to the detergent.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Thanks to everyone who has posted regarding hives! My three year old daughter has been periodically breaking out in hives over the last few weeks. After ruling out all the common food allergens, it appears to happen when she has recently put on a new outfit and then gets hot. I’m not sure what the heat factor has to do with it, but crying or running around at the park egg it right on.
Has anyone asked Costco for a refund or tried to exchange the detergent?
October 22nd, 2010 at 11:16 am
I reported the rash problem to Costco and talked to Lauren from Costco today. Costco said that they will look into the problem. I think it will help if more people voice their concerns to Costco regarding the safety of this product. I hope Costco will do the right thing by either removing the product from the market or at least put a warning on the label. I will probably file a report with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission if I don’t see any positive actions taken by Costco within the next couple of weeks.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
For sensitive skin, I’ve found trying different detergents that have no dyes or perfumes helps. Seventh generation worked well for me.
February 2nd, 2011 at 11:10 pm
We have been using the Costco environmentally friendly detergent for over a year now and no problems until this evening, when my boyfriend accidentally spilled some on his wrist and now has a painful, nasty burn that almost seems like a chemical burn. Both he and our daughter have sensitive skin and no prior reactions or problems, but pretty scary to think what would cause such a burn when he had quick direct contact to his skin like that.
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 pm
My husband bought the kirkland HE detergent in the cardboard box. My office is near the laundry room. For several days, I have had a burning throat and felt like I had swallowed chemicals – I can taste them! I kept thinking it was the next door neighbor’s rehab job – I thought maybe they were using solvents – but – NO – it was the box of detergent just sitting there in the next room!!!! Aaaaack!!! We hadn’t even opened the box — back it goes! I wonder what they put in there! Just awful. No reason to have such strong, acrid “scent” in laundry detergent. I’m going back my natural lavender oil scented detergent!
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:43 pm
My Costco ran out of/stopped carrying the ECOS brand we usually use and I bought some of the Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly Detergent thinking it would be similar. Started breaking out all over in serious hives after about a month of use. Going to go to the doctors and to return the remaining detergent today!
October 5th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
HORRIBLE Product!
The Costco environmentally friendly laundry detergent is a horrible product. It doesn’t clean a thing. I have done several loads of laundry with this product and it has left my laundry looking dingy, stained, and without a clean or fresh smell. I was trying to cut down on household product costs in addition to trying something environmentally friendly. I will be going back to Tide.
October 6th, 2011 at 1:50 am
I switched from Tide to Kirklands Ultra Free and Clear (high efficiency)two weeks ago. My daughter has suddenly developed a fairly severe itchy rash. Rewashing with Tide starting last night. Hope this does the trick. Thanks for all the helpful comments.
November 17th, 2011 at 10:40 am
I purchased Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly Detergent from Costco several weeks ago and I now have a rash from neck to toes….anywhere that my clothes touch me. I have told my wife to switch back to tide and I will take this CR@P back. I will also report this product to whatever federal agency I kind find. I am talking big time rash here folks.
zdog