Bloggers and Parents Nationwide Say "Mind the Store"

The checkout clerks at local discount stores are always fascinated when I show up with a cart full of white vinegar bottles, perhaps some boxes of baking soda, and not much else.  They often seem surprised when I answer their questioning looks by explaining that it takes very few products to do everyday cleaning at my house.  It's not that I haven't been tempted by other appealing bottles and boxes of products; I'm just not sure if they're right for my family since apparently no one has been minding the store when it comes to long-term consumer safety.

I really want the best of both worlds:  convenient store products that work great, with the peace of mind of homemade ingredients.  Safer Chemicals, Healthy Family's new Mind the Store campaign is asking the nation's top ten retailers to step up and work on behalf of their customers by  eliminating the Hazardous 100+ Chemicals of Highest Concern from a wide range of everyday products.  You can peruse the Hazardous 100+ list for yourself at the Mind the Store website.  Just beware that current law allows some of those chemicals of concern to be omitted from a product label if the maker considers it a trade secret.  Think that's not fair to either consumers or the stores where we shop?  You're not the only one.

I shared with you earlier this week about my visit to the popular Costco warehouse store.

Here's how bloggers around the country are taking the lead in asking the nation's Top 10 retailers to get involved in this important effort:

Anna Hackman of Green Talk appealed to Lowes to Mind the Store with its building and home products.
Laura MacCleery of Laura's Rules asked Safeway to Mind the Store.
Tiffany of Nature Moms Blog writes about her visit to the local Kroger.

Becki Lewis of Organic Aspirations visited her local Best Buy store.

Lori Alper of Groovy Green Livin' visited her local Walgreens store.

Shane Smith of Environmental Booty visited her local Target store.

Sommer Poquette of Green & Clean Mom is reaching out to her local Walmart store.

Katy Farber with Non-Toxic Kids explains why she wants top retailers to Mind the Store.
Molly Rauch with Mom's Clean Air Force shares her enlightening visit to Safeway.
Sarah with the Made in the USA Challenge explains why reading labels just isn't enough.

Harriet Shugarman of Climate Mama explains what minding the store has to do with climate change!
Lindsay Dahl at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families rounds up the latest on Mind the Store efforts.

You can take action today via the Mind the Store app and send a message asking the Top 10 retailers to get on board with this.  You might also want to have a cordial conversation with the manager of your favorite local store to share your concerns about the Hazardous 100+.  And when other moms in the play group are chatting about the same old, same old, Mind the Store can be a great conversation starter!