Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning
AP
With zillions of cleaning products on the market (that's just our rough estimate), it can be tough to pinpoint the appropriate options for your household.
One thing we can all agree on is that purchasing products that aren't harmful to the earth (or your health) is pretty important. So where do you go from there? Eco-friendly products have popped up everywhere. But not every one is really what it seems. Here's a guide to get you through the madness.
Do take a closer look at the bottle to make sure the manufacturer has fully disclosed all of the ingredients in the product, says Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group ("The Green Cleaning Experts"). "Typically if they provide full disclosure that's a sure sign that the manufacturer is more careful when selecting ingredients."
Don't choose products with a label that contains words like "poisonous," "corrosive" or "flammable." It may seem obvious, but sometimes we overlook this simple tip when searching for a specific product, like oven cleaners or rust removers.
Do opt for concentrates, Ashkin says. "They reduce the environmental impacts from packaging -- plus they typically save money compared to less concentrated alternatives." Be sure to use only the recommended amounts for dilution.
Do keep an eye out for products that carry eco-friendly certification like the Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) label.
Do opt for products that call for cold water (labels should state this). "This has a significant environmental benefit by eliminating the heating of water," Ashkin says.
Don't fret over products that have artificial (read: chemical) fragrances. "Prefer products that are also low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the ingredients, like solvents, that evaporate and can cause respiratory irritation or trigger asthma," Ashkin says.
Don't obsess over antibacterial agents. "Products (such as hand soaps) with added antibacterial agents are not effective against flu or other viruses," he says. "The Center for Disease Control found that these products seem to offer no more protection compared to good ol' fashion soap and water."
Do use disinfectants and sanitizers only when and where necessary, Ashkin advises. "And make sure they are used properly as most have to remain on the surface for 5 to 10 minutes to be effective," he adds. "And keep in mind that these are powerful cleaning compounds and, by definition, are toxic because they are designed to kill living organisms."
Do throw out that bleach jug. It may be an effective sanitizer, but bleach does more harm than good (such as burning eyes or skin, a respiratory irritant, permanently damages fabrics if spilled and is poisonous if ingested).
Do consider using microfiber cloths with just water or a little detergent for cleaning most surfaces. But make sure the cloths are high quality, says Ashkin, as cheap ones clean no better than cotton. Laundering them properly is also important, so skip fabric softener as it will adversely affect their performance, he advises.
Do invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner that is capable of capturing small particles. Check out the Carpet & Rug Institute's Seal of Approval Program for approved products and make sure to use high-filtration filter bags and change the bags when they are only half-full as suction and performance decrease significantly when the bag reaches this point.
Do go the extra mile and look for cleaning products and tools that are manufactured using recycled components. BISSELL's Little Green compact deep-cleaner is manufactured using a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. (According to the folks at BISSELL, if every adult in the U.S. purchased a Little Green, it would be like recycling 658 million pounds of plastic -- or 20 million bags of trash.)
Interesting (gross) facts from the Allery and Asthma Foundation:
- The air in homes can contain 70 percent as much pollen as outdoor air.
- Eight in 10 American homes have dust mites.
- Nearly 10,000 dust mites can live in one square yard of carpet.
- Six in 10 American homes (even those without pets) have cat or dog dander.