“It shouldn’t be allowed”

The company is facing backlash for suggesting that water is no longer good enough to clean products.

Clean Boss, maker of Eat Cleaner laundry detergent, aired a TV ad claiming their product was better than water, but eagle-eyed viewers noticed some troubling problems in the comparison.

What happened?

Reddit user recently brought attention to a Clean Boss ad on the r/Anticconsumption community, pointing out how the company used misleading tactics to promote its product.

The ad shows a side-by-side comparison vegetables washed with water compared to Eat Cleaner. However, as the small text at the bottom of the screen shows, the products used in the “water only” demo were 21 days old, while the Eat Cleaner washed inside vegetables appeared fresh.

“The water is outdated. BUY EATCLEANER!” The Redditor wrote sarcastically.

The post sparked a heated discussion in which one of the commentators took part arguing“Such nonsense shouldn’t be allowed on TV because there are too many stupid people on it.”

While these sentiments reflect frustration with misleading marketing, the real problem lies with companies that exploit consumers’ food safety concerns.

Why does misleading marketing concern you?

This type of marketing can encourage consumers to spend money on unnecessary products, while undermining trust in one of our most basic and sustainable resources: water.

Clean water effectively removes dirt and bacteria of products combined with proper washing techniques. Raising doubts about the effectiveness of water may lead people to purchase single-use products plastic bottles filled with cleaning solutions they don’t need, contributing to plastic waste and unnecessary household expenses.

Is Clean Boss doing anything about it?

While Clean Boss promotes Eat Cleaner as an eco-conscious choice, the company still needs to address concerns about its advertising tactics.

It offers the product in a concentrated form, which allows for the reduction of packaging waste and the use of recyclable bottles. However, these efforts do not address the fundamental issue of promoting a solution to a problem that may not exist for most consumers.

What can I do about misleading marketing?

Maintaining the cleanliness and safety of products does not require the use of special products. Food safety experts confirm that thoroughly rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables with clean running water and gently rubbing their surfaces effectively removes dirt and bacteria. For items such as melons with a rough surface, you can use a clean brush moistened with water.

Some cities and states have consumer protection laws misleading environmental marketing claims, often called “greenwashing”. If you notice potentially deceptive advertisingyou can report it to your state’s consumer protection agency or the Federal Trade Commission.

The most sustainable – and often most effective – solution is usually the simplest. In this case, it is clean, safe tap water that already flows through your home.

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