Cleaning products are crucial for maintaining a clean, healthy, hygienic indoor environment. Store-bought cleaning agents, powder and solvents can effectively remove stubborn stains, caked-on grime, built-up grease, mould and lethal germs from almost all surfaces without much elbow grease.
Unfortunately, these products contain hazardous chemicals, such as ammonia, phosphates, bleach and other toxic ingredients that can pose various health hazards. Excessive use can lead to
respiratory disorders, skin infections, and eye irritation and also cause harm to the environment.
Therefore, people choose green cleaning products over traditional ones to reduce human health and environmental concerns. However, many consumers fall into the trap of market gimmicks when purchasing green cleaners and end up buying equally hazardous products.
Here is a complete guide to help you identify greener cleaning products and help you reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Make sure you check Ecolabels and consider the following tips:
What is Green or Eco-Friendly Cleaning?
It refers to using cleaning products and methods that are environmentally friendly and don’t leave carbon footprints behind. People have been using vinegar, lemon, baking soda, etc, to remove stains, grime and germs from their homes, while some households may look for store-bought green cleaning products that claim to be environmentally safe and chemical-free. These products are green because they have the following characteristics:
- No Ammonia
- No Phosphates
- No Artificial fragrances
- No chlorine
- Recyclable packaging
- Cruelty-Free
- Organically grown
However, some green cleaning products available in the market may not be free of harmful chemicals. They may contain substitutes for ammonia and other chemicals that are equally harmful to the environment. On the other side, people have understood the
benefits of eco-friendly cleaners and added such products in their household cleaning caddy.
How to Identify Green Cleaning Products?
If you want to know the authenticity of store-bought green cleaning products, consider the following tips and make a well-informed buying decision:
Check the Third-Party Certifications
When buying non-toxic cleaning products, make sure you ask for certifications of green products regulated by third-party organisations. It is good to check for:
- ECOLOGO: This represents that cleaning products have reduced environmental impact.
- Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA): It is a non-profit organisation that certifies products based on their environmental and health impacts. You can buy GECA-certified green cleaners without a hint of stress.
- Australian Certified Organic (ACO): It is a national certification organisation that certifies organic products.
- Environmental Protection Authority (EPA): This also certifies cleaning products are safe for the environment and living beings.
Professionally-trained
end of lease cleaners in Canberra also recommend you trust products with Green Seal, Safer Choice and other reliable third-party certifications.
Read The Label Carefully
The EPA permits companies to put labels on green cleaning products that meet their environmentally-friendly criteria. Therefore, it becomes crucial to check the ingredient list and labels before buying any eco-friendly cleaning product.
Avoid the ones if you see chlorine, ammonia and synthetic fragrances on the label. Here are some standard product labels you can check for:
- Green: This suggests the product is safer for the planet and human health.
- Eco-friendly: This label is used for products that do not release toxic fumes and chemicals in the air.
- Cruelty-Free: This means products are not tested on animals like rabbits and rats.
- Sustainable: This indicates a product is made from biodegradable products and has a long shelf life.
- Non-toxic: Non-toxic cleaning products are free of toxins and prevent adverse health problems.
Note: Never buy cleaning products if they have VOC (
Volatile Organic Compounds), as they can pollute indoor air and cause respiratory health concerns.
Opt for Concentrated Products
It is good to choose concentrated cleaners as they require less packing and transportation, which, in turn, helps reduce environmental impact.
When diluting such products, make sure you carefully check and follow the instructions mentioned on the label.
Consider Eco-friendly Packaging
Choose products that come in reusable or recyclable packaging. Make sure the bottles of cleaning products don’t contain heavy metals and phthalates.
Note: Avoid buying products that have single–use plastic packaging.
Say No to Aerosols
These products contain pressurised gases, such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide that can pollute the indoor air. Instead, use pump sprays or products that come in non-aerosol containers.
Buy Fragrance-Free Products
Store-bought toilet cleaners and floor cleaners usually contain strong fragrances that are made up of VOCs that can cause eye and throat irritation, leading to coughing and wheezing.
If a product claims to be green but contains strong fragrances, don’t buy it. Instead, opt for natural-scented products, such as essential oils, lemons, cinnamon, etc.
How to Prepare Green Cleaners at Home?
Instead of buying expensive and fancy products from the market, you can prepare DIY eco-friendly cleaning products at home. Here are some of the best products:
Eco-friendly All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix two parts of vinegar and one part of warm water. Add a teaspoon of mild dishwashing soap and a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
Spray the solution and clean almost all surfaces, including fans, windows, glass surfaces, cabinets, doors, kitchen appliances, toilet bowl, and more.
You can also hire seasoned cleaners for a quality end of lease cleaning Canberra and pass the rental inspection at the end of your tenancy.
Baking Soda as a Natural Deodoriser
Baking soda is one of the most versatile cleaning products that can help you clean, disinfect and deodorise all surfaces without leaving toxic fumes behind.
You can use it as a powder or in a paste form to get rid of oil stains,
bad smells from bathrooms. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda and refresh your carpets, rugs and upholstery furniture.
Lemon as an Eco-friendly Disinfectant
Banish all germs and bacteria using lemon as a natural disinfectant. Use it with baking soda or add a few drops in the vinegar solution to remove caked-on grime, grease and stubborn stains from the oven and microwave.
DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Mix half a cup of white vinegar and borax in a spray bottle. Add warm water and a few drops of essential oil to remove brown stains from the toilet. You can also
use castile soap because it is also a natural cleaning product that can tackle stubborn stains with ease.
If you are moving out of a rental property, hire professionals for a detailed end of lease cleaning Canberra and get your full bond back.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the trusted green cleaning products requires a bit of research and awareness. You can check the certifications and labels along with the ingredients list to know everything about store-bought green cleaners that are safe for humans and the planet.
