What to look for in Green Cleaning products
How to choose a green cleaning supplier
Making the choice to go green is one way to play your role in looking after the environment, as well as protecting your family’s health. But it can be a confusing process, especially if you have no idea where to start. Do you have to make your own products? Can you purchase them from the local supermarket? Are they available online? How do you verify that they are authentically ‘green?’ We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’re sharing expert tips on how to choose a green cleaning supplier.
What are green cleaning products?
Green cleaning can mean something slightly different to everyone. Some people see green cleaning as sourcing their own natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar and lemons. Other people prefer to go direct to green manufacturers to source cleaning products that have been made in an environmentally safe way. If you use a home or office cleaner, take the time to understand what green cleaning means to them and the types of products they use. However you choose to source your cleaning products, understand that the ultimate goal of going green is to use solutions that are sustainable for the environment.
Avoid these nasty chemicals
One of the first steps to choosing a green cleaning supplier is to understand what you should steer clear of. There are harmful ingredients that are common in traditional cleaning products that you should avoid at all costs. These chemicals are not only bad for the environment but they can be detrimental to your health. These ingredients include:
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Chlorine
- Phosphates
- Petroleum solvents
- Antibacterials and disinfectants
- Butyl Glycol, Ethylene Glycol, Monobutyl
- Phthalate
Stock up on these natural ingredients
Thankfully you can swap out these nasty ingredients for natural alternatives that are sustainable for the environment and better for your family’s health. Some popular natural ingredients include:
- Baking soda
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Castile soap
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
This is a limited list of the many safe ingredients that you can use, but it’s a great place to get started.
Source your green cleaning supplies
Now that you understand what you must avoid and the kind of ingredients you should be on the lookout for, it’s time to get shopping! There are a number of great websites that are dedicated to providing eco-friendly, all-natural green products. These are great places to source cleaning supplies when you’re just getting started. Having a curated selection of green products cuts out the overwhelm, making it easier for you! Helpful websites include biome and flora&fauna.
Alternatively, you can head directly to the website of eco brands. Renowned Australian green cleaning brands include ecostore, Koala Eco and Counter Culture. Most of their websites cite detailed ingredients lists so you can see exactly what’s in each product before you add it to your cart.
If online shopping isn’t your thing, you can always head into your local Coles or Woolworths to check out their green cleaning range, which includes Organic Choice and ecostore products.
Watch out for misleading labels
When you’re shopping for a green cleaning supplier in store, it’s important to remember that labels can be misleading. Oftentimes brands will use natural colours like shades of green and labeling like ‘natural,’ ‘non-toxic’ or ‘eco-friendly’ to help you associate their product with nature. Don’t be fooled! Beautiful design, phrases and colouring does not mean the product is safe to use. This is where it’s important to pay close attention to the ingredients list. Keep lists of harmful and safe ingredients in the notes section on your phone so that you can refer to them when you are shopping. If a product doesn’t include a detailed ingredients list, leave it behind. There’s a reason why that brand doesn’t want you to know what’s inside its products, and that can only be a bad sign. Keep looking until you find a product that includes only safe ingredients.
Consider your surfaces
When choosing what green cleaning supplier to go with and which products to choose, it’s important to take into account the surfaces you’ll need to clean. What are they made of? How old are they? How difficult are they going to clean? Green cleaning products generally work best on easy to clean surfaces like stainless steel, tiles, hardwood or laminate. Some products might be best suited to particular surfaces over others. Check out green cleaning supplier reviews to ensure you make the right choice for your household. If you use a specialist office cleaner, make sure they’re aware of the types of surfaces you have, so they can choose the best green cleaning products to suit.
Experiment to learn what works best
Ultimately, the best way to know if a green cleaning supplier is right for you is to test it out for yourself. Once you’ve decided on a few key eco-friendly brands, select some like products from each to experiment on different surfaces. You may find that some are more effective than others, or that you prefer a certain scent over another. This will help you ultimately decide on the best green cleaning supplier for you.
Start green cleaning today
The move to green cleaning can seem a little overwhelming and, at times, confusing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Focus on making small, incremental changes that will benefit the environment and protect your family’s health at home or your staff’s health at the office. By following these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a green cleaning expert in no time!