In 2008, New York Times reporter Virginia Heffernan introduced the world to the fascinating and deeply relatable concept of pleniplessence, which she defined as “paralysis induced by the sight of how many kinds of detergent, say, exist on the shelves of the grocery store.” 

Pleniplessence plagues the modern consumer, and it affects me, Bluedot’s Marketplace Editor, too. Which sunscreen should I buy, which cleaning products, which mattress? Which feels best? Which smells the least? Which is made the most sustainably? Whose recommendations should I trust?

We created the Bluedot Marketplace to help everyone — ourselves included — find products that work well and that we can truly feel good about buying. To learn how we research and choose items, keep reading. And thanks for joining us.
— Elizabeth Weinstein, Marketplace Editor

Every spring, my husband designates a weekend for deep-cleaning and decluttering our house. I don’t look forward to this. He inevitably tries to convince me to get rid of the life-sized paperboard cutout of Liberace that lives in our hall closet, and I always declare No — Liberace stays! 

Spring cleaning used to stress me out. Conventional cleaning products contain lots of nasty ingredients like petroleum, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals that can dramatically harm indoor air quality. In recent years, I’ve ditched the liquid detergents with brightening agents and swapped in papery laundry strips, started using recycled paper towels and toilet paper, subbed wool balls for dryer sheets, and ditched some chemical solvents in favor of things like plain old distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and lemons.

There are great “clean” cleaning products out there. Click through the list below to find items that Bluedotters use to keep our own little corners of the world clean. Don’t stop at green cleaners! Visit our Buy Better Marketplace for more Bluedot picks of all kinds.

How do we choose?

As much as possible, we try things. We seek the opinions of friends and trusted colleagues. We consult industry experts and consider reviews from consumers. We also assess materials and manufacturing protocols, verify  third-party certifications, and look out for greenwashing. In the coming months, we’ll feature Bluedot BuyBetter picks for swimsuits, tennis shoes, makeup, skincare, pet products, and more.

Buy Less (but Buy Better)

By the way, our aim is not to get you to buy more stuff. Our motto is “Buy Less, Buy Better.” So use what you have. Give away, compost, or recycle what you can. And when you need to buy something — something good, something that will last — come see us.

Have ideas, comments, or suggestions? We want to know!

Send us a message at marketplace@bluedotliving.com.

Happy cleaning, and happy spring!