It is claimed that biodegradable cleaning products offer protection to the environment and also helps you in getting a pleasant, clean home. Nowadays with a number of products on the block, consumers have a wide range of choices, but the point is- are these products as safe for the environment as the manufacturers claim?
It is a common assumption that if a product is marketed as eco-friendly and biodegradable, it is safe both for the consumer as well as the environment. The point is that this is not true in every case. Remember that even lead and lye are natural products; however, they are not good for us to handle.
For those who are looking for biodegradable cleaners because they have eco-friendly qualities, there are certain ingredients which must be avoided:
- Ammonia
- Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs)
- Sodium hydroxide
- Phosphates
- Petroleum based ingredients
- Nonylphenols (NPEs)
- Chlorine bleach/sodium hypochlorite
- Butyl cellosolve (aka butyl glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl)
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Glycol ethers
- D-limonene
- Triclosan
- Terpenes
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
If you are keen on protecting the environment, go for cleaning materials that do not contain these ingredients.