Natural Cleaning Products

When it comes to natural cleaning products, you might be seeing a lot of hype.

Everywhere you look, you are reminded of the new era we've entered spurred on by the recent attention to global warming. So as more and more people seek to buy natural cleaning products also called green cleaning products, the manufacturers have taken notice and responded with a vast array of new product offerings.

But therein lies the problem.

With the exception of certified-organic foods, there really aren't official government standards to use when evaluating a product that claims to be "green", "earth-friendly" or "natural." Because the labeling for natural cleaning products is unregulated, manufacturers are free to use the labels they want.

Another common claim is "biodegradable" which is a reference to the length of time it will take the disposed product to decompose into nature. While you do want to purchase products that biodegrade, the question you should ask yourself is "How long will it take to biodegrade?" and is it a shorter period of time than that of other products you might consider.

Shopping for Green Cleaning Products

Buying green cleaning products is an investigative process. It is up to you, the consumer, to evaluate the products you buy and read the labels for yourself.

So what should you look for if you want an earth friendly cleaning product?

Start by looking for companies that have been in the natural cleaning products industry for awhile and who choose to disclose their ingredients on their labels, such as Seventh Generation® and Ecover®. Other companies selling non toxic products, such as Mrs. Meyers® and Method® don't disclose every ingredient on their labels but they provide information regarding eco-friendly benefits of their products.

To get a clear understanding about how little information you have about what you buy, consider the fact that federal labeling laws do not require manufacturers to list ingredients on labels even when those ingredients are toxic! When evaluating products, there are some ingredients you should clearly avoid such as petrochemicals, phosphates, and chlorine bleach as well as artificial fragrances.

If you have specific suggestions, don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer. Go on the company website or call the customer-service department to ask about the ingredients. Be an informed consumer. If the responses you receive don't answer your questions or alleviate your concerns, you should consider other products.

In addition to putting your family at risk from exposure to toxic ingredients, chemical cleaning products are often responsible for large percentage of accidental poisonings among children. To keep your family safe, it is very important that whatever you buy is kept in a safe location out-of-reach from your children.

Natural Cleaners in the Stores

In response to the changing times, Clorox® recently rolled out its Green Works™ line of cleaning products which are natural cleaners made using plant-based ingredients derived from coconuts, as well as essential oils. According to their website, the products are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, are packaged in bottles that can be recycled and not tested on animals. The product line includes:

• Green Works™ Natural Dishwashing Liquid
• Green Works™ Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Green Works™ Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner Green Works™ Natural Glass Cleaner
• Green Works™ Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Green Works™ Natural Dilutable Cleaner
• Green Works™ Natural Bathroom Cleaner

Another company who has been an innovator in producing environmentally friendly cleaning products is Seventh Generation which is committed to making effective cleaning products that are safe for people and the environment. Among others, their products include:

• Natural All Purpose Cleaner
• Natural Dish Liquid
• Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Kitchen Cleaner

Started by two former roommates, Method cleaning products "contain biodegradable ingredients derived from natural materials like soy, coconut and palm oils." Their packaging is manufactured using recyclable materials and the company utilizes carbon and renewable energy credits to offset CO2 emissions and energy used in the manufacturing process. Method products can be found at a variety of mainstream stores nationwide including Target® and BabiesRUs.

Make Your Own Chemical Free Products

If you don't want to risk using products with unknown ingredients, you can make your own chemical free products at home.

Every day items such as hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and baking soda can be combined in different ways to make cleaners that are very effective.

Homemade cleaning solutions are easy to make and very cost-effective. You may be surprised at just how many cleaning jobs you can tackle with eco friendly products.

Note: Always be sure to label your cleaners and store them in a safe location out of reach of your children. Never mix ammonia and chlorine bleach! Combined the two are very toxic and dangerous.

Finding or creating natural cleaning products may be a little labor intensive, but it is clearly worth it to eliminate harmful chemicals in your home.

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