A clean home is essential to a stress free and healthy home life. Unfortunately, our busy lives often mean that cleaning gets a low priority on the to-do list. It’s tempting to go for products that promise a quick clean so we can get on with more pressing matters.
As a result, many of us fill our cupboards with products that we haven’t fully considered the impact they may be having on our health, or the planet. Sadly, most are created from harsh chemicals that are not only damaging to you and your family’s well-being, but are also causing havoc to delicate ecosystems once they are flushed down the drain.
Eco-friendly cleaning products promise a gentler approach to cleaning, and if you choose carefully, you’ll be getting it all done just as quickly as when using the harsher choices.
What Makes an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Product
Eco labels make identifying eco-friendly cleaning products a little easier, but so too is checking that the claims are legitimate.
Claims can vary, and you will see packaging labels advertising features like “eco safe,” “environmentally friendly,” or “green” to sway you into adding these products to your cleaning arsenal and tricking you into beiieving you are doing something good for the environment.
The main factor determining whether a product is truly eco-friendly comes down to the ingredients. Products with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients that are non-toxic to human and aquatic can generally be considered environmentally friendly.
Other key factors include sustainable and recyclable packaging, concentrated formulas for reducing transportation emissions, and a third-party certification from an organisation like GECA(Good Environmental Choice Australia), or Global GreenTag.
Don’t be fooled by labels claiming natural ingredients. Plenty of naturally occurring products can still do plenty of harm. For example, concentrated essential oils like lemon, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil are toxic to aquatic organisms. D-limonene is a natural solvent that can create ground-level ozone gas.
Citric and other natural acids may be biodegradable but can significantly alter the pH levels of waterways to impact the aquatic environment.
And remember, supporting local Australian-made products will help your local economy while reducing transport emissions.
Common Misconceptions About Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Eco-friendly cleaning products have collected more than fair share of misconceptions over the years. Fortunately, they are not true as many green cleaning products perform just as well, if not better, than their more environmentally damaging counterparts.
Misconceptions versus Reality
Myth #1: They don't remove dirt and grime.
Plant-based surfactants and natural acides are excellent at breaking down grease and removing grime.
Myth #2: They are more expensive
While shelf prices might seem higher, many eco-friendly cleaning agents are concentrated, effectively reducing the cost per clean ratio.
Myth #3: They don't kill germs
The ingredients of many green products, such as citric acids, vinegar, and essential oils have been used for centuries because of their ability to kill bacteria and pathogens.
Myth #4: They don't foam up so they don't work
Foam is a marketing tactic to create the illusion that a product is getting things clean. Green products are all about doing the work with the showiness. Suds do not necessarily equate to cleanliness.
Myth #5: All eco-friendly products are sustainable
Always watch for greenwashing (claiming a product is eco-friendly when it isn't). High levels of plastic, long-distance transportation, and excessive use of resources can make a seemingly green product unsustainable. Check labels and look for reputable certification. Genuinely environmentally safe products break down without harming the ecosystem.
Myth #6: Green products are natural and therefore non-toxic
Just because something is natural doesn't make it safe to put on your skin or be accessible to children. While most are a lot safer than bleach or ammonia, you should still handle them with care and keep them out of reach of tiny hands. Keep in mind that there's often no requirement to list all the ingredients, depending on where you live.
Why Make the Shift to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers many of our buying habits are having on our delicate planet, causing a notable shift towards more sustainable products. This shift is leading to a more health conscious society practising increasing social responsibility.
A move towards eco-friendly cleaning products means we are conserving natural resources and lowering our toxic exposure. When enough of us join the cause, we can ensure we leave the planet better than we found it for future generations to enjoy.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Around the House
One of my favourite features of green cleaning products is their versatility. As you become more practiced with their use you will find that most have multiple uses, reducing your reliance on stocking a cupboard full of different products. Here's what you should consider for the different areas of you home.
As you'll see, your cleaning kit will only require a few items that can be used all around the home.
Environmentally Responsible Kitchen and Surface Cleaners
A kitchen will need cleaning products that can tackle grease and food residue as well as sanitise surfaces. While vinegar is a staple for many areas around the home and works great to bring back the shine for a stainless steel kitchen sink.
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that won't scratch while it neutralises odours. For tougher deposits like mineral deposits go for products containing citric acid derived from citrus fruits.
Castille soap made from olive oil is an excellent degreaser for areas with stubborn buildups like stoves and range hoods.
Essential oils are your go-to antimicrobials and for leaving a fresh, clean scent.
Green Bathroom Solutions
The bathroom section is one of the most crowded in the supermarket, with tens of products all proclaiming to make the job easy and quick.
As a professional cleaner I can confidently say that you don't need any of these harsh and environmentally damaging cleaners.
A complete bathroom cleaning kit should contain hydrogen peroxide for mould and mildew, as well as keeping the porcelain throne sparkling white.
Sodium percarbonate, or oxygen bleach releases hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water so it's excellent as a grout cleaner and whitener and getting rid of soap scum.
Baking soda and white vinegar is also a good combination for toilet bowls, shower screens, and tiles.
Spray glass shower cubicles with a vinegar. let it soak for 5 or so minutes while you clean the basin and toilet and then rinse off. Scrub with a mix of water and morning fresh clean and green using a light scourer. Finish off by polishing with a glass microfibre cloth and you are done.
In the Laundry
The laundry is a huge drain on planetary resources for the average household, so it's critical to consider more than the cleaning products you are using.
According to Choice, there aren't many eco-friendly laundry products that can cleanmuch better than plain water, but there are a still things you can do to limit the laundry's impact on the environment.
Sodium percarbonate is an excellent colour-safe bleach and stain remover. White vinegar is a natural alternative to fabric softeners and deodorisers. A dash of citric acid will help prevent mineral buildup in washing machines.
Ask yourself if you could you get one more day out of what you're wearing or would a spot clean do the trick. Dryers are power hungry and will add a lot to your power bill when used daily. Only use them if you absolutely have to. The heat from the sun can dry just as quick and is always free.
Living Areas, Floors, and Glass
Living areas are typically filled with a variety of surface materials that can be easily damaged if the wrong products are used.
I keep it simple. A spray bottle with water and a dash of Morning Fresh Clean and Green does it for pretty much everything, including glass, timber, and natural stone surfaces. Microfiber cloths and elbow grease do most of the work.
The floor is even simpler. A bucket of freshly boiled water and a flat mop using a microfiber head is a safe and effective cleaning process that will leave floors sparkling clean. You can use a cap or two of Pine-O-Clean for a fresher smell, but that is optional as it adds nothing to the cleaning power in my experience.
Sticky residue may need a bit of a soak before mopping or use a scraping tool that won't take chunks out of the floor. I use a scraper tool with a plastic blade to be safe.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: What to Use and Why
A clean home is essential to a stress free and healthy home life. Unfortunately, our busy lives often mean that cleaning gets a low priority on the to-do list. It’s tempting to go for products that promise a quick clean so we can get on with more pressing matters.
As a result, many of us fill our cupboards with products that we haven’t fully considered the impact they may be having on our health, or the planet. Sadly, most are created from harsh chemicals that are not only damaging to you and your family’s well-being, but are also causing havoc to delicate ecosystems once they are flushed down the drain.
Eco-friendly cleaning products promise a gentler approach to cleaning, and if you choose carefully, you’ll be getting it all done just as quickly as when using the harsher choices.
What Makes an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Product
Eco labels make identifying eco-friendly cleaning products a little easier, but so too is checking that the claims are legitimate.
Claims can vary, and you will see packaging labels advertising features like “eco safe,” “environmentally friendly,” or “green” to sway you into adding these products to your cleaning arsenal and tricking you into beiieving you are doing something good for the environment.
The main factor determining whether a product is truly eco-friendly comes down to the ingredients. Products with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients that are non-toxic to human and aquatic can generally be considered environmentally friendly.
Other key factors include sustainable and recyclable packaging, concentrated formulas for reducing transportation emissions, and a third-party certification from an organisation like GECA(Good Environmental Choice Australia), or Global GreenTag.
Don’t be fooled by labels claiming natural ingredients. Plenty of naturally occurring products can still do plenty of harm. For example, concentrated essential oils like lemon, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil are toxic to aquatic organisms. D-limonene is a natural solvent that can create ground-level ozone gas.
Citric and other natural acids may be biodegradable but can significantly alter the pH levels of waterways to impact the aquatic environment.
And remember, supporting local Australian-made products will help your local economy while reducing transport emissions.
Common Misconceptions About Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Eco-friendly cleaning products have collected more than fair share of misconceptions over the years. Fortunately, they are not true as many green cleaning products perform just as well, if not better, than their more environmentally damaging counterparts.
Misconceptions versus Reality
Myth #1: They don't remove dirt and grime.
Plant-based surfactants and natural acides are excellent at breaking down grease and removing grime.
Myth #2: They are more expensive
While shelf prices might seem higher, many eco-friendly cleaning agents are concentrated, effectively reducing the cost per clean ratio.
Myth #3: They don't kill germs
The ingredients of many green products, such as citric acids, vinegar, and essential oils have been used for centuries because of their ability to kill bacteria and pathogens.
Myth #4: They don't foam up so they don't work
Foam is a marketing tactic to create the illusion that a product is getting things clean. Green products are all about doing the work with the showiness. Suds do not necessarily equate to cleanliness.
Myth #5: All eco-friendly products are sustainable
Always watch for greenwashing (claiming a product is eco-friendly when it isn't). High levels of plastic, long-distance transportation, and excessive use of resources can make a seemingly green product unsustainable.
Check labels and look for reputable certification. Genuinely environmentally safe products break down without harming the ecosystem.
Myth #6: Green products are natural and therefore non-toxic
Just because something is natural doesn't make it safe to put on your skin or be accessible to children. While most are a lot safer than bleach or ammonia, you should still handle them with care and keep them out of reach of tiny hands. Keep in mind that there's often no requirement to list all the ingredients, depending on where you live.
Why Make the Shift to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers many of our buying habits are having on our delicate planet, causing a notable shift towards more sustainable products. This shift is leading to a more health conscious society practising increasing social responsibility.
A move towards eco-friendly cleaning products means we are conserving natural resources and lowering our toxic exposure. When enough of us join the cause, we can ensure we leave the planet better than we found it for future generations to enjoy.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Around the House
One of my favourite features of green cleaning products is their versatility. As you become more practiced with their use you will find that most have multiple uses, reducing your reliance on stocking a cupboard full of different products. Here's what you should consider for the different areas of you home.
As you'll see, your cleaning kit will only require a few items that can be used all around the home.
Environmentally Responsible Kitchen and Surface Cleaners
A kitchen will need cleaning products that can tackle grease and food residue as well as sanitise surfaces. While vinegar is a staple for many areas around the home and works great to bring back the shine for a stainless steel kitchen sink.
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that won't scratch while it neutralises odours. For tougher deposits like mineral deposits go for products containing citric acid derived from citrus fruits.
Castille soap made from olive oil is an excellent degreaser for areas with stubborn buildups like stoves and range hoods.
Essential oils are your go-to antimicrobials and for leaving a fresh, clean scent.
Green Bathroom Solutions
The bathroom section is one of the most crowded in the supermarket, with tens of products all proclaiming to make the job easy and quick.
As a professional cleaner I can confidently say that you don't need any of these harsh and environmentally damaging cleaners.
A complete bathroom cleaning kit should contain hydrogen peroxide for mould and mildew, as well as keeping the porcelain throne sparkling white.
Sodium percarbonate, or oxygen bleach releases hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water so it's excellent as a grout cleaner and whitener and getting rid of soap scum.
Baking soda and white vinegar is also a good combination for toilet bowls, shower screens, and tiles.
Spray glass shower cubicles with a vinegar. let it soak for 5 or so minutes while you clean the basin and toilet and then rinse off. Scrub with a mix of water and morning fresh clean and green using a light scourer. Finish off by polishing with a glass microfibre cloth and you are done.
In the Laundry
The laundry is a huge drain on planetary resources for the average household, so it's critical to consider more than the cleaning products you are using.
According to Choice, there aren't many eco-friendly laundry products that can clean much better than plain water, but there are a still things you can do to limit the laundry's impact on the environment.
Sodium percarbonate is an excellent colour-safe bleach and stain remover. White vinegar is a natural alternative to fabric softeners and deodorisers. A dash of citric acid will help prevent mineral buildup in washing machines.
Ask yourself if you could you get one more day out of what you're wearing or would a spot clean do the trick. Dryers are power hungry and will add a lot to your power bill when used daily. Only use them if you absolutely have to. The heat from the sun can dry just as quick and is always free.
Living Areas, Floors, and Glass
Living areas are typically filled with a variety of surface materials that can be easily damaged if the wrong products are used.
I keep it simple. A spray bottle with water and a dash of Morning Fresh Clean and Green does it for pretty much everything, including glass, timber, and natural stone surfaces. Microfiber cloths and elbow grease do most of the work.
The floor is even simpler. A bucket of freshly boiled water and a flat mop using a microfiber head is a safe and effective cleaning process that will leave floors sparkling clean. You can use a cap or two of Pine-O-Clean for a fresher smell, but that is optional as it adds nothing to the cleaning power in my experience.
Sticky residue may need a bit of a soak before mopping or use a scraping tool that won't take chunks out of the floor. I use a scraper tool with a plastic blade to be safe.
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