Eco-friendly cleaning

This is a great article discussing some of the sustainable living topics that have competing viewpoints on which is the most eco-friendly alternative.  The actual article may be behind a paywall for some of you, so I’ll summarize some of the main points.

• In recent years, green cleaning products have improved significantly and are generally just as effective.  Various certifications such as EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, and UL Ecologo can help you identify the ones that work well. 
• Is a car more fuel efficient running the AC or driving with the windows open?  It depends on the car and the speed.  However, there are things you can do to help, such as keeping the windows open for a few minutes before you start the air conditioner to allow some of the hot air to vent out of the car.  And use a sunshade against the windshield when parked to help reduce some of the heat buildup. 
• Studies show that reusable towels do a better job of cleaning than paper towels, so save the paper towels for the big messes. 
• There’s a lot of advice with diagrams on how to load the dishwasher for the best effectiveness.  The two most interesting pieces of information are that the soap works better if your water heater is set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (instead of hotter), and that modern dishwashers work better if you don’t pre-rinse your dishes.   

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/07/09/eco-friendly-house-cleaning-practices/