June 2008
Clorox Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner: First Look
This biodegradable multisurface cleaner does a strong job of preventing soap scum and mildew in the bathroom
Price we paid: $3.50 (24-ounce bottle)
Date of Consumer Reports full report: September 2008
What it is. Clorox Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner is supposed to eliminate soap scum and hard-water and rust stains and is designed to be safe on counters, shower doors, sinks, tubs, tile, and other bathroom surfaces. The manufacturer claims the product is 99.05 percent natural and made only with plant and mineral-based ingredients.
What we liked. In our preliminary tests, with daily use this cleaner has proved excellent at preventing soap-scum buildup and very good at averting mildew growth. It has not left streaks on the mirrored-tile surfaces we've cleaned, has done a good job eliminating soap scum, and has even removed rust stains.
What we didn't like. This daily-use cleaner has stained a few surfaces, including stainless steel and marble that were not well sealed. (Note that this test is severe—we leave samples of the different surfaces in a puddle of the cleaner overnight then evaluate them the next day.) The Green Works was also only fair at removing existing mildew.
Our initial take. Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner works well and meets most of the manufacturer's cleaning claims. It proves that green household cleaners do actually work.
Essential information: Look for our report on shower cleaners in the September issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and online in August. Learn more about green cleaners.
Date of Consumer Reports full report: September 2008
What it is. Clorox Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner is supposed to eliminate soap scum and hard-water and rust stains and is designed to be safe on counters, shower doors, sinks, tubs, tile, and other bathroom surfaces. The manufacturer claims the product is 99.05 percent natural and made only with plant and mineral-based ingredients.
What we liked. In our preliminary tests, with daily use this cleaner has proved excellent at preventing soap-scum buildup and very good at averting mildew growth. It has not left streaks on the mirrored-tile surfaces we've cleaned, has done a good job eliminating soap scum, and has even removed rust stains.
What we didn't like. This daily-use cleaner has stained a few surfaces, including stainless steel and marble that were not well sealed. (Note that this test is severe—we leave samples of the different surfaces in a puddle of the cleaner overnight then evaluate them the next day.) The Green Works was also only fair at removing existing mildew.
Our initial take. Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner works well and meets most of the manufacturer's cleaning claims. It proves that green household cleaners do actually work.
Essential information: Look for our report on shower cleaners in the September issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and online in August. Learn more about green cleaners.
