Organic or natural cleaning products are becoming more common in the marketplace today. Mainstream companies now offer green versions of their products, ranging from toilet bowl cleaner to dusting spray. Determining which products really are safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly can be a challenge. Learning more about the ingredients and options available today can help you to keep your home both green and clean.
Significance
Cleaning products on the shelves at your local stores may be labeled as natural, green, organic, or non-toxic. However, understanding what these labels mean is key to choosing the best products for your home. Some may have a "Design for the Environment" seal from the Environmental Protection Agency to indicate that the product is made with the safest ingredients in each class of chemicals such as solvents or detergents, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. Other companies opt to provide clear information about their ingredients and what chemicals they avoid using in their products.
Identification
Identify the ingredients used in the natural cleaning products that you wish to purchase. LiveScience.com advises to avoid phosphates, phthaltes, and volatile organic compounds in products you use at home. Phosphates may decrease water quality, while volatile organic compounds can impair neurological function. Phthaltes may have adverse effects on the reproductive system. The Design for the Environment seal signifies that the product is made with the safest ingredients in each class, but they may not be naturally derived or organic, even in products marketed as green. Companies such as Method Home and Seventh Generation, Inc., on the other hand, provide clear, easy-to-understand ingredient lists on their products and avoid using hazardous chemicals.
Function
Organic or natural cleaning products do work and in most cases work as well as comparable chemical products, reports LiveScience.com. You may also find that homemade organic cleaning products are options. You can clean most surfaces in your home with various combinations of vinegar, baking soda, and a basic liquid castile soap. This is one way to be sure that the cleaning products you choose are safe, non-toxic and natural. However, homemade options may not have the antibacterial properties found in natural-cleaning commercial products.
Considerations
You can cut through dirt and grease, scrub away stains, or leave your glass sparkling clean with natural cleaning products. However, you may find that natural cleaners can't match the whitening and stain removal power of bleach. According to LiveScience.com, removing stains with a natural cleaning product may require you to scrub a little longer compared to cleaning with a bleach-based product. Yet, green commercial products that are oxygen-based can help with stain removal without the power of bleach. OxiClean, for example, is biodegradable and uses the natural reaction of water and oxygen to effectively lift and clean stains around the house.
Expert Insight
As more companies are producing greener products, Good Housekeeping Magazine suggests carefully reading product labels to make better comparisons, especially if the product claims to be green. Learning about the effectiveness of a green product is also essential. Good Housekeeping rated Sun & Earth All Purpose and Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner products as the best ready-to-use cleaners for all-around cleaning, as they both cut through grease and soil effectively. Arm and Hammer Essentials and Purex Natural Elements are powerful natural laundry detergents that work well for spot removal. Good Housekeeping also favors Planet Ultra Dishwashing liquid over other green dish-detergent brands, as it cuts dried grease and food particles and cleans the most dirty dishes per use.
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