Eco Friendly Cleaning Products

Eco Friendly Cleaning Products

Some manufacturers may be
promoting their products as being good for the environment without their truly
being eco friendly.

How can you tell if the products in the store are
good for the environment, or if they’re just using that phrase on their labeling
to make you think they are?

There are no standards to verify a product
as “green” or “eco friendly.” Some products on the market are listed as eco
safe, environmentally friendly, environmentally safe, green, or non-toxic. Any
manufacturer can choose to use those labels. But do these labels really mean
that the products are safe for the environment?

If you can’t tell if a
product is environmentally safe just by reading the labels, how do you know if
it is safe to use or not? Until there is some type of certification to very that
a product is “green” the consumer is responsible for evaluating the products
they use and whether the products claims are true.

You can always use
household products like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils to make
home recipes that would be very effective in cleaning your home. Be sure to
label the homemade cleaners clearly and store them where children cannot reach
them. Also, NEVER mix ammonia and chlorine bleach; the results are extremely
toxic.

One product that has been used widely to disinfect modern homes
is chlorine bleach. However, chlorine bleach has chemical compounds in it that
should not be used in the home, and are extremely toxic. If you need an
alternative for chlorine bleach, try hydrogen peroxide bleach, leaving it on the
surface to be cleaned for a minimum of ten minutes. Wiping it up any sooner will
not kill the germs.

What if you need another cleaner? Throw your support
behind companies that list each and every ingredient in their product. Two such
companies are Ecover and Seventh Generation. Although they are not required by
law to list all of their ingredients, they are proving that the product is safe
by doing so.

Choose a product that specifies how long it takes for them
to decompose in nature. Being labeled “biodegradable” doesn’t necessarily mean
that you should choose this product. Use a product that specifies that it will
biodegrade completely in “X” number of days. You will know that after that time,
the product will no longer affect the environment.

Here are some labels
that you should avoid:

corrosive

chlorine bleach

ammonia

phosphates

petroleum products

You’ll also want to avoid
products that have artificial fragrances and those made with animal by-products.
All of these labels indicate that the product is harmful, not only to the
environment but also to your family.

Finally, if you’re not 100% sure
about a product, you can always call the toll-free telephone number on the
product. Ask them questions about the ingredients. Request as much specific
information about it as you can. And, if the manufacturer refuses to answer your
questions, you might consider finding another product.

Finding truly
economic-friendly products that are safe and effective for cleaning your home is
not impossible. It takes a little time reading labels but the time is worth it.
The only other option would be to make your own.

Author Resource:- Gina Buss is a biologist and
freelance environmental writer.

Article From Freelance-Articles.com