Greener Cleaners

Since we intend to create a gray water system as part of our house remodel and addition, we need to take extra precautions to prevent potential long-term pollutants from entering the soil.  We figure that one way to do this is to use non-toxic cleaners when cleaning the bathrooms.  Such greener cleaners also come with the additional benefit of making the act of cleaning less hazardous to our health.

We looked for non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning supplies a while back but were not impressed with the available selection and didn't quite feel adventurous enough to try developing our own.  Recently, however, we found at least a couple of brands of non-toxic cleaners at major discount outlets, drug stores and grocery stores.  Each brand offered a fairly wide range of products, from glass cleaners to toilet cleaners. As we use up our existing cleaning supplies, we plan to replace them with the non-toxic ones we are able to purchase.

We found that doing a little research went a long way.

1. Terminology.  These days, many environmentally friendly-sounding terms are used, overused, misused and misunderstood.  We found a listing on a Consumer Reports' site to be helpful in determining what the terms are generally taken to mean.  We were surprised to find that the use of most terms is not overseen by an independent standards or certification organization.  Because of this fact, the meaning of such terms can vary greatly.
2. Product Reviews.  We tried to locate product reviews when possible but they were by no means comprehensive nor scientific.  So, we took everything with a grain of salt.  Over time, we will probably end up having to test multiple products to find the best ones.
3. Certifications.  There are a number of certification authorities, such as Scientific Certification Systems and Green Seal, but it was never made clear to us what criteria were used to justify and grant a certification.
4. Manufacturers.  Several small companies started making environmentally sound cleaners well before the big brands joined in.  All other things being equal, we prefer to purchase from the self-starters.

While at the stores, we were diligent about checking the ingredients to see what went into the bottles.  If the ingredients were not listed, we didn't even consider purchasing, regardless of any claims made by the manufacturer.  We also compared the containers and generally favored those that minimized packaging, such as liquid in a recyclable pouch that could be flattened.  For those who would like to create their own greener cleaners, recipes are available online and many cleaners can be made from everyday household items like baking soda.  Some examples are available here.