Are Green Cleaning Products Really Safe?

by Caryn Colgan, Networx

As concern for the environment and home safety increases, consumers are demanding non-toxic cleaning solutions more than ever before. Jumping on the environmental bandwagon, more cleaning product manufacturers declare that they use “green” ingredients and boast “safe for the environment” on their labels. Consumers trying to do the right thing may buy a product based on hype and false labeling — and not on the facts. While it may take some time to conduct research on which products really are green and which are the imposters, here is some information you may find helpful:

Check the Material Safety Data Sheet for the Product

Since many cleaning products do not include labels with a list of ingredients, consumers can check the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Website to learn more about the products.

“Green” Doesn’t Mean “Green”

If a product’s ingredients read like a who’s who of gibberish then you probably don’t want to spread it around your home or let your loved ones breathe it. One of the common cleaning products that claims to be non-toxic and has a questionable pedigree is Simple Green.

According to a study conducted by Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), some of the purportedly non-toxic Simple Green products, manufactured by Sunshine Makers, contain 2-butoxyethanol. The Simple Green Website states, “Our Mission: We, the Sunshine Makers, as a socially responsible company, are committed to being worldwide market leaders providing quality, environmentally safe, cleaning products.”

However, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says this about 2-butoxyethanol: “Exposure to 2-butoxyethanol…occurs mainly from breathing air or having skin contact with household products containing them. Breathing in large amounts of 2-butoxyethanol … may result in irritation of the nose and eyes, headache and vomiting. 2-Butoxyethanol has been found in at least 20 of the 1,430 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.” In summary, this ingredient is decidedly not non-toxic.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cinderella Maid S.

10:37AM PDT on Oct 2, 2011

Pretty cool post. It’s really very nice and useful post. Thanks for sharing this with us!it’s my first visit.

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send a green star

Ida J.

4:30AM PDT on Sep 3, 2011

thanks

Josh T.

5:44PM PDT on Jun 16, 2011

Thanks Chaya!

carlee t.

4:33PM PDT on Jun 7, 2011

thanx

Marcia M.

6:55AM PDT on May 27, 2011

Thanks

Lorraine P.

4:56AM PDT on May 15, 2011

I am so glad you are sharing this information with everyone. So many of us trust that if a product is on the shelves in the store, it is safe to use. I was so surprised when I learned that products, like Tide, Simple Green, Windex, Murphy's Oil Soap all contained toxic ingredients. Although I do use Baking Soda and lemon I also endorse Shaklee's "Get Clean" all natural, non toxic and safe cleaners. They are so concentrated that you need less product, but you don't have to compromise clean.