What to Avoid When Choosing a Safe Household Cleaner
To be clear, not all chemicals are dangerous. The human body contains over 60 chemical elements. Many of these chemicals perform vital life supporting functions. That said, it's unlikely you'll find a cleaning product that contains no chemicals. So, it is extremely important to be able to recognize dangerous chemicals when (or if) you see them. Cleaning product brands are very good at hiding, disguising and denying this information. We'll discuss how and why this happens and what you can do to make smarter, safer purchase decisions.
1) Hard to See Ingredients
Manufacturers frequently make certain ingredients difficult to find on product labels. While by law this information should be clear and identifiable, it is often not the case. Product benefits and marketing slogans typically take center stage. Meanwhile, valuable content information is often barely visible. Finding Information on web sites can be equally frustrating. This is true because in most cases, transparency is not always in the company's best interest. The worst offenders go to great extremes to hide potentially dangerous chemicals. We'll discuss how this is done and what to look for and avoid.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
Extremely Small Text: Oftentimes, ingredients are written so small that even someone with 20/20 eye sight would struggle reading them. Now, imagine for a moment you have a vision impairment. Without the use of a large magnifying glass, deciphering this information could be all but impossible for some.
Ingredients Listed On the Inside of the Bottle: Yes, this does actually happen! One well known manufacturer takes this tactic to a new level. They place a large UPC bar code directly over the view of the internal label. You can't make this stuff up!
Low contrasting text and backgrounds can make reading products ingredients difficult. For example, light gray letters on a white background may be difficult for anyone to decipher. This is especially true for individuals with visual impairments. This lack of contrast means they could miss crucial details might be missed. The Environmental Protection Agency monitors Household cleaner labels. They state that ingredients must be clearly visible on product labels. Yet, unlike the internet, there are currently no specific guidelines as to the level of color contrast required.
3) Green Washing Rather than Washing Green
Nothing says please don't read our ingredients more than this one. For a well-known manufacturer, listing the ingredients on the inside of the bottle wasn't enough. They also conveniently place a large UPC bar code directly over the view of the label. Even an empty bottle with the bar code removed proved difficult to read through the plastic container. Rather than emptying the contents and cutting the bottle open, the company web site is your best source for finding ingredients. That said, if a brand is going this far to bury this information, it's a safe bet they have something to hide!
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
Using Vague or Unsubstantiated Claims or Terminology: Manufacturers frequently use terms like "natural," "eco-friendly," or "green" without providing verifiable proof. These terms are often unregulated, allowing brands to use them even when not true. The term "natural" is a prime example. This is because many naturally occurring ingredients can still be toxic or harmful. Another common misleading claim is "chemical free". This is scientifically impossible since all substances are made of chemicals. This claim plays on consumer fear rather than scientific facts. Misleading marketing practices also include green packaging or images featuring nature images. Leaves or flowers can make a product appear more natural or sustainable than it actually is.
Distracting Consumers with Minor or Irrelevant "Green" Features: Some companies divert attention from their environmental impact by touting minor eco-friendly attributes. Meanwhile, the majority of their products or operations cause great harm. A brand might advertise a particular product that uses recycled plastic for their containers. Yet, the product may contain multiple chemicals known to be dangerous to people and the planet. . This tactic attempts to shift responsibility for environmental protection onto consumers. This of course is far easier than accepting any accountability for the problem.
Creating Fake or Unverified Certifications: Eco-friendly certifications serve as a useful guide when looking for safe cleaning products. Their approval is a good indicator of transparency and adherence to environmental standards. Yet, some brands design their own logos that mimic trusted third party organizations. This gives the false impression that their products are verified safe or sustainable. "Green" claims lack strict oversight. So, it is important to look for independent certifications from credible bodies. These days, anyone can create a pretty authentic looking logo. If you are uncertain about a particular certification, do your research. A quick google search will verify or debunk its legitimacy. Trusted third party organizations include EPA U.S. Safer Choice, Ecocert, Green Seal, or EcoLogo.
3) Lack of Product Ingredient Transparency
Other than food items, manufacturers are not legally obligated to disclose all contents of products sold in the USA. However, individual states can initiate their own legislative measures. Since 2017, both California and New York have passed laws mandating full ingredient disclosure for cleaning products. More states are also expected to follow suit in the near future. Currently, however, most states do not require full transparency regarding product ingredients. Here's how to spot if a brand has something to hide.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
No Third-Party Certifications: The absence of third-party certifications greatly diminishes a household cleaning product's safety credibility. The internet is filled with vague "eco-friendly" marketing jargon. Claims made by products without independent validation do little to establish consumer trust. Confirmation from industry respected organizations help simplify finding safe and effective products.
"Natural" Claims Without Specificity: Many household cleaners use the word “natural,” to describe their products. But, because this term is not clearly defined or regulated, it can be very misleading. Sadly, current federal laws do not mandate full transparency. Manufacturers are well aware of this fact and many are taking full advantage of it. Some brands sprinkle a small amount of plant-based ingredients into mostly synthetic products. Then, make embellished claims stating only that they are made from natural materials. These unsubstantiated statements make products seem safer or healthier than they really are. It’s important to look for brands that clearly list all product ingredients on their labels or websites.
Omission of Specific Chemical Names in Proprietary Blends: Manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients in their proprietary blends. This makes avoiding chemicals that might cause health problems a difficult task. Some of which may cause issues like skin irritation or breathing problems. More serious conditions such as birth defects and cancer are also known to occur. Unlike food or cosmetics, cleaning products have fewer rules about what needs to be on the label. This lets companies keep some ingredients hidden, often calling them trade secrets. The lack of transparency also creates problems for doctors and researchers. They need to know exactly what's in a product during emergencies or for safety studies. But, there is some good news. New laws, like those in California are pushing for more complete chemical disclosure. The goal is to give consumers the information they need to make smarter decisions.
How to Choose Safer, Eco-Friendly Cleaners
Label & Ingredient Transparency
Choose manufactures clearly display ingredients: Brands that willingly share a complete list of ingredients either on their labels or company web site are typically a safer bet. Companies with nothing to hide generally feel comfortable revealing this information.
Avoid brands that state their ingredients are proprietary or delliberatley hide ingredients.
Check the company's web site for more complete ingredient listing. If no further information is found, consider this product a risky option.
Red Flag Ingredients to Avoid
Dangerous chemicals: Hundreds of potentially dangerous chemicals are commonly used in household cleaners. Ammonia, chlorine bleach, or formaldehyde are some of the most common ingredients you should avoid
“Fragrance” or “parfum”: Due to trade secret protection, manufacturers do not have to list all ingredients in their fragrances. This makes it legal for companies to hide a long list of potentially harmful chemicals.
(VOCs) Volatile Organic Compounds: VOCs are easily evaporating compounds that become dangerous once air-born. Household cleaner chemicals responsible for VOCs include Fragrance, solvents, preservatives, antimicrobials and aerosol propellants. None of these chemicals are necessary to keep your home clean.
Search for Safer Ingredients
Plant-based or biodegradable ingredients: Safe, biobased cleaner ingredients come from natural biological sources. Examples include plants, microbes, or other renewable materials. This more natural, sustainable solution reduces reliance on petroleum, lowering environmental impact.
Less is more when it comes to household cleaners. Look for Simple formulas. Fewer ingredients means less exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Other common safer ingredients: Vinegar, baking soda, citric acid and hydrogen peroxide. These ingredients offer much safer alternatives that are still highly effective cleaners.
Trusted Certifications
EPA Safer Choice label: EPA US Safer Choice label: Certification means manufacturers have met strict guidelines for safety and transparency. Adherence to this lofty standard is no easy achievement. This is why EPA US Safer Choice has become one of the most trusted eco-friendly authorities.
Made Safe: Certification involves screening for chemicals found in the MADE SAFE Hazard list. Products are tested for substances like carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxins. Every ingredient must be deemed safe for people, animals, and ecosystems. Ingredient transparency is also an important element in the approval process
EWG Verified: Verification requires companies avoid toxic chemicals and provide full disclosure of all ingredients. Compliance with strict safety standards is also mandated for approval.
Green Seal: Certification confirms manufacturers have met strict health, safety and eco-friendly standards. This includes reduced toxicity, safer chemical ingredients, and lower environmental impact.
UL ECOLOGO: Certified products undergo third-party testing to verify safer chemical usage. Products must be proven to be low levels of pollutants and ecological harm.
