By now, the chemicals in traditional household cleaners are old news. We all know that there are health consequences for using anything from glass cleaner to dryer sheets. There have been countless studies pointing to the same thing: Go Green. But where does that leave us, the consumers? For those of us who are bold enough to throw out a lifetime of accumulated knowledge on stain removal, disinfecting and deodorizing, how do we proceed? A slew of green cleaners have cropped up in the last decade, as well as multitudes of home recipes and tips, but common sentiment seems to point toward inefficiency, expense and sometimes, fraud. Where do we turn in our quest for a chemical-free clean?
Though it may seem like a booming new industry, natural cleaners have always been around. In fact, before the industrial revolution, what we think of today as “traditional household cleaners” hadn’t even begun to be invented. When people started putting together the link between bacteria and disease in the mid 1800’s, new products were developed to kill bacteria and the modern cleaning industry was born. What the innovators of the 1900’s didn’t realize was that the lethal chemicals they so highly toted killed more than the germs. The criticism of these cleaners really began as the environmental movement gained a foothold in America and they were eventually swept up in the wave of eco-change. New companies joined the scene with earth- friendly products and existing companies began to clean up their act.
In the last few years, an avalanche of companies offering “green” products has flooded our grocery stores and mega-marts, and while the idea is popular, many concerns have recently been raised around the industry. For example, how do we know these new products are actually eco-friendly? Many of the terms used to describe them are undefined and unregulated. Without preset standards, the terms are meaningless. This has led to the creation of non-profit organizations like Green Seal and the Natural Product Association that can give consumers a measurable standard for green products. Another problem common to new industries is the fact that green cleaners tend to be more expensive. But the issue most central to the success or failure of green cleaners is that consumers tend to think they are not as effective as traditional chemicals.
But is this true? Is the whole industry based on an unrealized hope that deep cleaning can be accomplished without endangering ourselves and the environment? Joe Lynch, Tucson, AZ franchise owner of the popular green cleaning company EcoMaids, doesn’t think so. His company uses all Green Seal certified products and methods and has been rapidly expanding since it started franchising in 2009. One of the problems he sees is the lack of regulation by the FDA. The agency currently does not address the use of labels such as “organic” “non-toxic” and “eco-safe”, or approve any over-the counter green cleaners. “Until the FDA approves green products,” Lynch says, “it’s going to be an apples and oranges comparison.”
Another problem green cleaners face is the difficulty in accurately testing their effectiveness. “It’s easy to measure how well a product kills bacteria, but people are Looking for more than that. They want things like shine and for [the products+ to work quickly.” According to Lynch, it’s nearly impossible to produce a test that proves that green cleaners are comparable in all areas of performance. “When it comes to disinfecting, [green cleaners] are just as good,” he says, but he believes there’s room for growth in the industry, and looks forward to a broader array of certified green cleaning products.
Not so Pleasant Fragrances
We tend to associate “clean” with fragrances like “fresh squeezed lemon”, “ocean breeze” or “pine forest”. But did you know that these aromatic enticers are actually contributing to toxicity and health problems in your home? In a recent study by the University of Washington, Seattle, researchers tested 25 scented consumer products (most of which were household cleaners) and found a total of 133 unique Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). VOC’s are a group of toxic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Each one affects humans differently and to varying degrees, but all are harmful and cause health problems.
While the researchers recommend avoiding scented products, that might not be as simple as it sounds. Currently, personal products are required to list the term “fragrance” on product labels but cleaning supplies, air fresheners and laundry products are not. And none of them are required to list fragrance ingredients on their labels. This leads to the question, how do we avoid fragrances in our home? One good organization to trust is Green Seal. Most of their certified products are fragrance free and those that aren’t are required to list “fragrance” on the label, as well as all fragrance ingredients. Or, another route the researchers recommend is to clean with basic supplies like vinegar or baking soda.
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