What Makes a Cleaning Product Non-Toxic?

Let's talk about cleaning products – those colorful spray bottles that keep our homes looking and smelling great. While some people prefer different cleaners for each surface, others rely on a single multi-purpose cleaner for everything.

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Here's the thing though – while we definitely need these products to keep our homes clean, many of them are packed with toxic chemicals that can harm our health and the environment. So the next time you shop for cleaning supplies, look for something gentler. Your body (and the planet) will thank you.

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Why Are Cleaning Products Harmful?

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One of the most common ingredients in cleaning products is surfactants. These are chemical compounds that separate the dust from the surface, making it easy to remove. But common surfactants like alkylphenol ethoxylates have been shown to interfere with the endocrine system which regulates the body’s hormones.

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These surfactants also biodegrade slowly, lingering in the environment for centuries. Some of them even biodegrade into more toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative chemicals, threatening aquatic life.

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Some all-purpose cleaners may contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and trisodium phosphate. These chemicals can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, and are toxic if ingested.

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Traditional cleaning products also release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that pollute the indoor air. Some of these VOCs are also responsible for smog formation in outdoor air.

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Then there are ingredients that contain phosphorus or nitrogen which contribute to nutrient-loading in water bodies, harming water quality.

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Non-toxic cleaning products offer a safer alternative to the traditional cleaning products. They use ingredients that are safe for people with allergies or skin sensitivities, pregnant people, kids pets, and the planet.

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But finding non-toxic cleaning products is difficult as the phrase “non-toxic” is not regulated.

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How Do You Find Non-Toxic Cleaning Products?

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Marketing terms like "non-toxic", "green", "natural", "safe", "eco-friendly", "organic", and "sustainable" are not regulated certifications or standards - they're just marketing claims. This means that even if a cleaning product displays these words on its label, it may still contain ingredients that are harmful to your health and the planet. This lack of regulation makes it particularly challenging to identify truly non-toxic cleaning products.

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You could try maintaining a list of harmful ingredients to check against product labels before buying. But this becomes complicated since there are thousands of such ingredients, often listed under multiple different names.

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A good rule of thumb is to choose unscented and fragrance-free options since manufacturers often hide toxic ingredients under generic terms like "fragrance."

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The most reliable way to ensure safety is to look for certifications. The following certifications have strict criteria for ingredients that protect both environmental and human health:

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• EPA's Safer Choice Certification: It requires products to undergo comprehensive ingredient review and meet strict safety criteria for human health and environmental impact, ensuring they're safe for families, workers, and ecosystems.
• UL Ecologo Certification: Certifies products including cleaning products for reduced environmental and health impact.
• Green Seal: Certifies that cleaning products are made without harmful chemicals and PFAs and have low-VOC‍
• EWG Verified: Verifies that products, including cleaning supplies, are free from harmful chemicals.