How to Read and Understand a Green Cleaning Product Label

You’ve heard it before, read the label. It’s your best weapon against buying something you would not have paid for in the first place if you knew what was in it. The box may say healthy, but the actual ingredients are not. It may say low in fat, but the calorie content is anything but. The same is true with green cleaning products. It may say green, but what do you know about what makes something green?

Here, at Green Office Cleaning, we want to educate you about product labels, especially those that come with cleaning products. So the next time you hire green office cleaning Colchester, you’ll know what words to look for in the products used to clean your office or business premises. You want them safe in every sense of the word, not safe in word alone.

When checking out the label…

Look for words associated with green, eco-friendly, and safe.

These are biodegradable, contains no phosphates, contains no chlorine, contain no petroleum products, formulated without dyes or fragrances, hypoallergenic, non-flammable, and plant-based. If the label says organic or natural, you’re on the right track. But read some more and see if any of the words listed above are included.

Look for words associated with danger or risk.

The words Poison, Danger, and Warning, with or without a skull and bones along with it is reason enough for you to steer clear of such products. What could be a clearer sign that the item you’re looking at can cause health problems or injuries? If the word caution comes with a list of safety concerns, then you know you’re putting your employees at risk if you use the product.

Look for warning of health risks and injuries

Remember caution? If it comes with “may cause minor eye irritation”, “may cause suffocation when inhaled”, “exposure may cause skin irritation”, and “avoid breathing in fumes”, you know you’re dealing with nothing green and safe. Look for a better and safer alternative.

Be wary of terms you’re not familiar with and research about them.

In some cases, manufacturers hide toxic content under generic terms, such as dispersal agents, surfactants, and the like. If you’re uncertain of what they mean, do your homework and find out. Don’t believe everything you read on the label, even if the first half of it seems safe and legitimate.

Key terms to remember:

  • Names of ingredients ending with “-ol” or “-ene” may indicate toxic solvents are included, such as benzol or toluene.
  • Names of ingredients with “chlor” mean a product is chlorinated or contains chlorine.
  • Names of ingredients with “glycol” and “phenol” mean a product contains petroleum-based ether or uses coal tar derivatives, respectively.

Now that you know what to look for, you can ensure the use of green cleaning products. But a better alternative would be to hire a trustworthy provider like green office cleaning.

Green Office Cleaning cleans your business without costing the earth and putting you and your employees’ health at risk. We are 100% environmentally friendly and invest only in cleaning products with genuinely green credentials.