2011 Heart of Green Awards

Winner: Method
Method cleaning products first caught our eye a few years ago, when they were launched in Target stores nationwide. We were impressed with the hip aesthetics and the emphasis on design and function. We love the super concentrated, super compact laundry detergent pump, although we suggest the fragrance-free version unless you like your clothes to retain a significant scent. The dishwashing liquid is also powerful, and the company is built on progressive values. $3.75-$190 at amazon.com

People's Choice: Seventh Generation
Although outspoken company founder Jeffrey Hollender was pushed out of the president's chair in mid 2010, Vermont-based Seventh Generation continues to be a leader in the green cleaning space. The blogosphere has been anxious to see if the company will continue on its original path of "radical transparency" and deep green commitment. For now, Seventh Generation continues to expand and innovate with an increasing range of products, with efficacy that continues to impress testers and consumers. $3.80-$111 at amazon.com

Learn more about our 2011 Heart of Green Award winners!

About the Nominees

Ecover
Ecover may not be that familiar to many Americans, but the Belgian company claims to be the world's largest supplier of green cleaning products. Ecover has been in the business since 1980, long before most other brands, and it makes a wide range of very capable products, all based on plant and mineral ingredients. Ecover has received numerous awards over the years, including one from the United Nations, and the company built one of the world's first green factories, back in 1992. $3.50-$86 at amazon.com

Green Works (Clorox)
It's no secret that some environmentalists have been wary of the Green Works line of green cleaners since they were launched by Clorox a few years ago, although an early endorsement by the venerable Sierra Club helped the brand gain traction. Green Works products have been widely praised by consumer scientists for their cleaning power, as well as for listing their ingredients on the bottle (a move started by Seventh Generation, but which Clorox does not do for its conventional lines). Green Works products are mostly naturally derived, largely coconut-based with plant oils. The bottle on our desk also lists "fragrance," but lists no bleach or phosphorus. $3.60-$49 at amazon.com

Nature's Source (S.C. Johnson)
Another offering by a major chemical company, Nature's Source is a line of green cleaners by S.C. Johnson, makers of Windex, Shout, Scrubbing Bubbles, Pledge and many other products. Nature's Source products aren't tested on animals, they aren't antibacterial (so don't contribute to resistance), and are said to be at least "99% natural." S.C. Johnson admits consumer demand for green cleaners is rising, and says Nature's Source is "specially formulated to combine simple, biodegradable, plant-based cleaners into a natural cleaning solution that leaves nothing behind but a fresh scent." Expert tests point to strong cleaning abilities, though some purists fret over what's in that last 1%. $3.80-$59 at amazon.com

Mrs. Meyers
We love the quirky, colorful packaging of Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, as well as their fresh floral scents. In fact, the products are based on aromatherapy (we particularly like the natural air fresheners). All of Mrs. Meyers' cleaning, personal care and baby products are ammonia-, chlorine bleach-, paraben- and phosphate-free, and none are tested on animals. The brand is named after a mother of nine from Iowa who kept a tidy home. Meyers' daughter founded the line, which is owned by the Caldrea Company (itself acquired in 2008, by S.C. Johnson). $5-$47 at amazon.com

- Brian Clark Howard