Products

Many products are still tested on animals

Most people are aware that animals are used in medical research, but would never imagine that in this day and age, cosmetics, cleaning products and even paints are still tested on animals. Unfortunately, across Europe, hundreds of thousands of animals are subjected to horrific experiments in which they are poisoned to death - to try to work out how toxic a product will be to humans. Not only are these tests horrific in nature, but also they do not yield any relevant results for human beings. Because people and animals are not the same!

Consider this: rats, commonly used in toxicology tests, can live in sewers and drains, environments in which humans would invariably get very sick. Our immune systems and physiological make up are very different. And when you are unwell, you go to a doctor, not a vet ­ which surely again says something.

So where to shop and what to buy if you want to be a cruelty-free consumer? Don't panic. These days, it's really easy to buy stuff that hasn't been tested on animals, whether it be make up, bubble bath, bleach or toilet cleaner.

BUAV's Little Book of Cruelty Free

Cosmetics

It's hard to believe that manufacturers are still dripping shampoo into rabbits' eyes and force-feeding them lipsticks - yet sadly, that's the case. Yep - it's sick. Animals shouldn't have to suffer just so you can have a sparklier eye shadow or a longer-lasting lippie. Here in the UK, cosmetics manufacturers have agreed to a voluntary ban on animal testing, but products that were manufactured - and animal-tested - in other countries continue to be sold here.

Vague statements and ambiguous labels

Most of the big cosmetics houses are involved in animal testing, no matter what they say. Manufacturers use cleverly worded statements to try to trick well-meaning people into buying animal-tested products.

Watch out for these deliberately misleading claims!

Against animal testing
This is a meaningless statement unless the company can guarantee that a strict, non-animal testing policy is stuck to.

We do not carry out animal tests
Another company may have done so on its behalf!

Contains only natural ingredients
What is 'natural'? Besides, they still may have been tested on animals!

Environmentally-friendly
This doesn't necessarily mean animal-friendly!

Not tested on animals
The finished product might not have been, but each ingredient could have been tested on animals individually.

Cruelty free cosmetics

Both luxury and budget brands of cruelty-free cosmetics and toiletries are widely available - in health food shops, supermarkets and via mail order. Look for the Beauty Without Cruelty range of make up, Paul Mitchell Systems and Daniel Field haircare and colours. Supermarket ranges of cosmetics and toiletries are cheap, cheerful and pretty decent quality. Co-op, Safeway's and Sainsbury's own brands are all ok - although if you are veggie or vegan, you might want to investigate to see whether they contain slaughterhouse by-products such as lanolin, gelatine, keratin and panthenol.

Order cruelty-free cosmetics from the Animal Aid shop

Look out for this logo

Look out for the 'humane cosmetics' bunny logo, which signifies the company is endorsed by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection's Humane Cosmetics Standard. This guarantees that the products are genuinely not tested on animals. More and more manufacturers are being added all the time - and if your favourite brand isn't listed already, write to the company and complain!

Household cleaning products

So you're away from home and no-one else is around to tidy your room or do your laundry. Damn! So it might not get done as regularly as it should ­ but if you leave it too long, there will come a point when your sheets walk off the bed and head for the washing machine all of their own accord!.

An endless torrent of 'new and improved' versions of washing powders, air fresheners, floor cleaners and polishes is unleashed on us by manufacturers desperate to rake in the profits. Unfortunately, each time a new product hits the market, it will have been tested on animals. Everyone knows that cleaning products are corrosive by nature and should be used with care. No amount of animal testing will ever make it safe to drink disinfectant or use floor cleaner as toothpaste. You'd have to be pretty thick to think that drinking a gallon of weed killer or bathing in neat bleach is a good thing. The following companies produce household cleaning products, which have not been tested on animals.

• Honesty: Tel: 01629 814888 www.honestycosmetics.co.uk Mail order service
• Clear Spring: Tel: 0161 764 2555 www.faithinnature.com Available from the Animal Aid shop, in health food shops & via mail order
• Astonish Tel: 0113 236 0036 www.astonishcleaners.co.uk Available in supermarkets, a lot of Poundsaver shops and via mail order
• The Co-op supermarket range of household products is cruelty-free

Main Offenders

The five main producers of household products are:

• Proctor & Gamble
• Lever Brothers
• S.C. Johnson
• Reckitt & Colman
• Colgate-Palmolive

They are responsible for producing the vast majority of products we see on our shelves, and are knee-deep in animal testing.

Supermarket policies

Each of the main supermarket chains also has developed public positions on animal testing. Their statements, and product labels, however, can be misleading and evasive - see above. Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Somerfield, Morrisson's, Superdrug & Boots might make claims that lead you to believe their products are cruelty-free, but they do not operate stringent controls on whether or not they are buying in animal-tested ingredients.

The Co-op supermarket range of household products is cruelty-free and approved under the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV)'s Humane Household Products Standard - check www.buav.org/gocrueltyfree for more info.

NB Ecover, whose products are found in most supermarkets and health food shops, has a lax policy on potentially animal-tested ingredients, making their products much less 'ethical' and 'cruelty-free' than is implied.

Clean the natural way!

These natural alternatives will de-toxify your home and save you money!

Not just old wives' tales, these tried-n-tested natural recipes really work.

Kim and Aggie will be proud of you!

Washing powder (sodium carbonate) or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): mix 1 cup of finely grated soap, 1 cup of washing soda, and 2 tsp of lavender oil

Fabric conditioner: soak herbs in white wine vinegar

Alternatively, buy a 'laundry ball' eg. from www.lakelandlimited.co.uk to replace washing powder and conditioner altogether. It lasts for ages, cuts down on chemical pollution of waterways, and really works!

Stain remover: washing soda removes tea, fruit juice and blood. For oil, rub white chalk into the stain before laundering.

Scouring powder: bicarbonate of soda can be used for sinks and baths

Window cleaner: use a mix of vinegar and water. To avoid smears, rub onto windows using newspaper

Floor cleaner: washing soda crystals in water

Oven/microwave cleaner: mix baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and water to form a paste

Furniture polish: mix three parts olive oil and one part vinegar, or one part lemon juice and two parts olive oil. Buff with a soft cloth

Silverware polish: apply bicarbonate of soda paste with a damp sponge or soft cloth

Air freshener: leave opened box of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) in the room or add cloves and cinnamon to boiling water

For clogged drains: pour 1/2 cup baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), then 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain.

NB. Bicarbonate of soda is the same as baking soda. Washing soda is sodium carbonate (it can usually be bought in supermarkets)