As we become more aware of the impact our everyday choices have on both our health and the planet, the way we clean our homes and the products we use are increasingly coming into the spotlight.
The harmful effects of PFAS and other toxic chemicals in traditional cleaning products are well documented and research is increasing. With this comes a growing demand for healthier, more environmentally friendly alternatives that combat dirt without compromising our well-being.
Here, leading toxicologist Samara Geller, senior director of cleaning science and consumer safety science at EWG, shares her cleaning tips for smarter, safer homemaking that will help you create a healthier home with a better environmental footprint.
Tips from toxicologists for purchasing cleaning products
Green cleaning doesn't always mean having to make your own cleaning solutions or always cleaning with vinegar, and it certainly doesn't mean settling for less than impressive results. Rather, it's about knowing which cleaning product ingredients to avoid, why, and what to use instead.
This is what Samara recommends.
Samara Geller focuses on developing and expanding EWG's healthy cleaning consumer guides and programs, including EWG VERIFIED® cleaning products, helping to raise consumer awareness and influence market changes. Geller manages the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning, which reviews and rates more than 3,100 household products based on hazards and ingredient disclosure. She also contributes to EWG's political efforts in California.
1. Avoid “ambiguous” ingredients
(Image credit: Getty Images / Evgeniia Siiankovskaia)
The most important Cleaning products that experts hate are the ones who hide exactly what is inside them. Samara Geller says, “Avoid ambiguous mixtures.” Look for products that disclose all ingredients, even those hidden behind vague terms like “fragrance,” “surfactant,” and “preservative.”
To avoid this Cleaning mistakes make you sickselect or opt for products that go into detail about their contents Natural methods to combat grease and dirt Use products from your pantry so you no longer have to read long product lists.
Attitude odorless dishwashing liquid
This odorless dishwashing detergent kills bacteria without the risk of contaminating your food. It is also better for sensitive skin.
Attitude: Live consciously bathroom cleaner
Keep your bathroom hygienic without bleach by switching to Attitude's EWG approved bathroom spray.
The Attitude cleaners help break down stubborn grease without string chemicals, making them perfect for green cleaning.
2. Know your ingredients
(Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd)
Many cleaning products contain ingredients that you might feel comfortable overlooking, but make the products special Secretly toxic things in your home that you should get rid of.
Samara says there are four main ingredients to be wary of:
- Ethylene glycol ether – including aggressive solvents such as 2-butyoxyethanol and butyoxydiglycol in dirt and stain removers. They are dangerous air pollutants that affect reproduction and development. When Setting up a staining stationIt is better to use a detergent without dyes or fragrances such as Seventh Generation or instead Oxygen bleach (available at Walmart).
- sulfuric acid And hydrochloric acid: “These harsh chemicals can cause serious skin and eye damage,” says Samara. “They are typically found in products such as oven cleaners, drain openers, hard water stain removers, and toilet cleaners.” Most of the time, Cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar does the job just as well, without all the harmful effects.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds: These are also known as “quats” and are found in fabric softeners, disinfectants, and disinfectants. “They have been linked to asthma as well as reproductive harm and birth defects in animals,” says Samara. “Avoid distearyldimonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, and other ingredients that end in “-onium chloride,” as well as nonspecific terms such as “cationic surfactant.”
- Sodium hypochlorite : This is the active ingredient in chlorine bleach that has been linked to respiratory damage.
High quality distilled white vinegar
Vinegar is a “safe” cleaning agent that helps kill bacteria and remove odors without the need for harsh chemicals.
Harris 12% concentrated food grade hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic natural antibacterial agent that helps you keep food surfaces clean without commercial sprays.
Pure baking powder from Arm & Hammer
Baking soda is a natural abrasive that helps loosen stubborn buildup without scratching delicate surfaces, and it is safe to use in most areas of your home.
3. Choose products with a regulated mark
(Image credit: EWG)
To make it easier Clean your home without harming the planet To protect your health, Samara strongly recommends looking for cleaning products that carry the EWG seal of approval.
The Environmental Working Group was founded in 1993 as a nonprofit environmental group that helps people access the information they need to make smarter, healthier decisions. Many non-toxic cleaning products are now certified by their experts as safe for use in your home.
Samara says, “To get your home sparkling without adding toxic chemicals into the mix, we recommend looking for the EWG VERIFIED® mark.” Products with the EWG VERIFIED mark are manufactured to the strictest standards and are formulated without any chemicals of concern.
“You can also seek advice.” EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaningwhich rates over 2,500 cleaning products “A” to “F” based on their hazard profile and manufacturing transparency. Choose products rated A or B or with the EWG VERIFIED® mark.
AspenClean odorless dishwasher capsules
These healthier dishwashing tablets are EWG approved and dissolve grease and grime on your plates without the risk of food contamination.
Heritage Park silk and wool, fragrance free
Great for sensitive skin, this newly EWG-approved laundry detergent extends the life of your laundry with fewer astringent chemicals.
Attitude multi-purpose spray cleaner
This all-purpose cleaner is EWG and Ecologo certified and designed for use around small children, making it great for families.
4. Be aware of greenwashing
(Image credit: Getty Images / Anastasiia Krivenok)
When putting together your ultimate cleaning product setThe biggest pitfall is greenwashing.
Samara urges: “Avoid marketing hype.” Stay away from potential greenwashing such as words like “green,” “natural,” and “non-toxic.” There are no regulatory standards for these terms.”
Instead, look again at the ingredients list to look for those cumbersome, harsh chemicals and check for regulated seals like the EWG mark, Ecologo, Green Seal, etc EPA safer choice Labels.
FAQs
Is green cleaning actually effective?
Green cleaning (opting for cleaning products that don't use toxic or astringent chemicals) is typically just as effective at maintaining a healthier home as commercial cleaning products – if not more so a medical study from 2020 This shows that acetic acid (white vinegar) has a disinfectant effect against a variety of microorganisms, including dangerous pathogens such as E. coli.
Is green cleaning more expensive?
In many cases, you can use household staples to remove dirt inexpensively and effectively. Cleaning with baking soda or vinegar is much cheaper than buying chemical-containing products off the shelf. However, costs start to rise when you look at products like fragrance- and dye-free laundry detergents, as they use higher quality, more sustainable ingredients that are typically more expensive to source.
However, when you weigh the health costs of chemical products with the monetary costs of green cleaning, the scales tip in favor of environmental products, especially when you consider that they improve your family's health.
Green cleaning is certainly one Cleaning habit I can't live withoutto protect myself and my household.
Will you follow Samara's advice? If you're not sure where to start, start small Cleaning tricks to reduce plastic consumption at homeor dive into cold water and try it Clean with only baking soda and vinegar for a week and see how it goes.