Consumers Don't Have to Sacrifice Clean for Green

A recent study by Jelmar LLC., the manufacturers of CLR branded cleaning products, found that while Americans have an average of seven cleaning products under the sink, less than 30 percent of the products are environmentally friendly(1). On the other hand, nearly seven out of 10 Americans in a recent Roper Reports study said they feel it is their individual duty to protect the environment. On the whole, Americans want to "go green" but aren't sure where to start.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is helping consumers with its DfE (Design for the Environment) designation and has recognized the powerful CLR brands of household cleaners with this seal. All three of Jelmar's flagship products -- CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover, CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner and CLR Septic Treatment and Drain Care -- have now earned this designation.

"Environmental consciousness is at an all-time high," said Alison Gutterman, president of Jelmar, LLC. "Consumers are seeking products for their home -- from the plastics they use to cleaning products -- to be effective but also have less environmental impact. Our trusted cleaning supplies can be used every day and are safe for both the environment and families -- eliminating the need for consumers to sacrifice clean for green."

The EPA created the DfE designation in 1997 to recognize products that contain only those ingredients that pose the least concern to human health and environmental affects. Before receiving this designation, these CLR branded cleaning products passed rigorous independent testing to ensure they contain only natural ingredients that meet the EPA's tough standards. Many of the CLR brands have been formulated under the EPA's DfE standards for years. CLR Septic Treatment & Drain Care's formula was the first consumer retail product to earn the DfE seal. This product is designed to treat household wastes that clog septic systems. To ensure waste material is able to flow to the drain field, a septic treatment is necessary to convert all waste to liquid, and CLR Septic works to keep this drain-flow clear.

According to Treehugger.com, the average household has more than 63 synthetic chemical products in it, which translates to roughly 10 gallons of harmful chemicals. By using the CLR brands of DfE-certified products, consumers can reduce the amount of household toxins, since they are made with no inorganic phosphates, hazardous solvents or environmentally harmful surfactants.

Although consumers are purchasing green products in increasing numbers, nearly 40 percent of Americans said they do not purchase eco-friendly cleaning products because there are not comparable green cleaning alternatives to their favorite cleaners.

Some respondents -- 17 percent -- also said they do not purchase "green" cleaning products for fear they are less effective than other cleaners. However, in a recent independent study(2), CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner demonstrated a greater degree of mold/mildew removal than a leading

competitor's bathroom cleaner and greater de-scaling than a separate leading competitor's bathroom cleaner, both of which are currently on the market.

"The CLR brands are more effective than many cleaning products on the market today," said Lou Manfredini, national home improvement expert and host of the nationally syndicated television show Housesmarts. "They may look tough on the outside, but rest-assured that this product will clean your home without harming its inhabitants -- your family."

The following Jelmar products all boast the DfE designation:

• CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover: a powerful formula designed to dissolve the toughest calcium, lime and rust stains. It works best on bathtubs, toilet bowls, sinks, glass, chrome, fiberglass, stainless steel, coffee makers, humidifiers, dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads to remove tough calcium and lime deposits and surface rust stains.
• CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner: a multi-use cleaner perfect for regular use in the kitchen and bathroom for general cleaning and to cut through tough soap scum and grime.
• CLR Septic Treatment & Drain Care: a product that works effectively to keep underground septic systems from becoming clogged with human waste.

All three products are earth-friendly with no phosphates, ammonia or bleach to harm you or your family.

Jelmar also provides CLR Power Plumber, a compressed gas that, when it comes in contact with water in your drain, expands rapidly, using water as a battering ram to push out even the toughest plumbing blockages. CLR Power Plumber is also environmentally friendly as it has no harmful chemicals and is non-toxic.

Jelmar is an independent, family-owned business committed to gaining total DfE compliance on ALL their CLR branded products to protect their consumers' family's environment.

Note

1. Study conducted by Russell Research May 2 - 5, 2008, among 1,099 respondents across the United States. All interviewing was conducted on the Russell Research survey website. Results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
2. Independent Lab testing done conducted on May 2, 2008.