The Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) maintains a list of the top green cleaning products that are safest to use (last update June 2016). They’ve tested and rated 2,000+ popular household cleaning products, rating them from A (very low toxicity) to F (high toxic or little to no ingredient disclosure). This grading is based on the safety of the product’s ingredients as well as the information the manufacturer discloses about the contents of their product. Find out more about their grading practices in the EWG’s FAQ.
But wait! If a product is being sold in grocery stores, it must be safe to use, right? NOPE! Plus, unlike labels for food, drugs, and cosmetics, cleaning product manufacturers are not required to disclose all of the ingredients in their products. Heck, even some of the “green” companies don’t. And that’s a problem. Frighteningly, the EWG estimates that only 7% of the cleaning products being manufactured adequately disclose their contents.
Guide to Healthy Cleaning by the Environmental Working Group
The EWG’s research team spent 14 months reading through company websites, technical documents, governmental databases related to toxicity as well as numerous medical and scientific journals. (Read more about where and how the EWG gathered facts for this study here.)
What the EWG’s study on home cleaning products found is scary:
- About 53% of the cleaning products EWG assessed have ingredients known to harm the lungs. They also found that approximately 22% contain chemicals reported to cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy individuals.
- Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, can sometimes be found in a product where it’s used as a preservative. It may also be released by other preservatives in cleaning products. In fact, it may form when terpenes, found in citrus and pine oil cleaners and some essential oils used as scents can react with ozone in the air.
- The chemical 1,4-dioxane is a common contaminant of widely-used detergent chemicals; it’s a suspected human carcinogen.
- Chloroform – It sometimes escapes in fumes released by products containing chlorine bleach; it’s a suspected human carcinogen.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”) like benzalkonium can cause asthma. You’ll find it in antibacterial spray cleaners and fabric softeners.
- Borax (also know as Sodium borate) can disrupt the hormone system. It’s found in a plethora of products as an enzyme stabilizer and cleaning agent among other things. It’s also an ingredient in many DIY laundry detergent recipes and marked in error as a “green” ingredient.
The EWG’s study found that many leading “green” brands sell superior products. Among them are the Green Shield Organic and Whole Foods’ Green Mission brand. But don’t be fooled. Not all products marketed as being environmentally conscious or “green” score highly and not all products from the same company have the same green qualities so their products can be rated very differently. Also, some “green brands” like Earth Friendly Products may be great, but since they do not disclose their ingredients adequately, there’s no way for the EWG to rate them, and so they are given an “F” rating.
Additionally, the EWG found some products they believe shouldn’t be used at all because there isn’t a safer alternative for them and they’re unnecessary. They advise avoiding these commonly-used home cleaning products:
- Air fresheners – they contain secret fragrance mixtures that can trigger allergies and asthma. Open windows or use fans. (though they did rate several scented room mists with an A-grade – Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Mist – Eucalyptus Harvest, Lavender Harvest, Peppermint Harvest, Tangerine Grapefruit, and Tea Tree Harvest. The Aura Cacia Electric Aromatherapy Air Freshener (Relaxing Lavender Essential Oil) received a B-rating, but it provides longer lasting air-scenting than the mists.
- Antibacterial products – can spur development of drug-resistant superbugs.
- Fabric softener and dryer sheet – their ingredients can cause allergies or asthma and can irritate the lungs. Try a little vinegar in the rinse cycle or wool dryer balls.
- Caustic drain cleaners and oven cleaner – these can burn eyes and skin. Use a drain snake or plunger in drains. Try a do-it-yourself paste of baking soda and water in the oven.
EWG Top Green Cleaning Products
These findings were presented on EWG.org on Apr. 8, 2016. They want to remind users that all cleaning products by their very nature can present hazards under certain conditions of use so always read and heed the directions included with the product. However, the products they’ve chosen and posted as the top-rated green cleaning products have all received the EWG’s highest marks based on the criteria developed by EWG’s research team. The team’s goal is to encourage companies to embrace full transparency of the ingredients they use and to avoid chemicals that have been deemed to have potential safety and health concerns to humans and then environment.
Take a moment and let manufacturers and your legislators know that having the ingredients listed on products you use in your home and around your family should be required. Putting hard-to-find PDF files on their website isn’t enough.
Visit the EWG’s website to find out more about the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning study and how to get involved. Plus look up some of the products you’re using in your home and see how they rate.
Note: BabytoBoomer.com & the EWG makes no representations or warranties about the products rated here and the ratings may change at any time.
Yes, I clean a lot with vinegar and water. It works well, but I could definitely go for a different smell!
Wow i never realized how many bad chemicals were in the things i use most. Almost all of the items you listed as a category F are under my sink right now!
My kids are allergic to so many of the ingredients they use in most cleaners so I’m all about good and natural cleaners like these!
Isn’t it amazing that the products that are supposed to clean are actually harmful? How wonderful!
This is the kind of stuff I need to pay attention to! Thanks for sharing!
I had no idea! Super helpful post and one I’ll bookmark for future reference. Always scary to learn that something you assumed to be regulated isn’t!
These were such great tips! I work at a place that sells an e-cloth which people love since it’s 100% organic, all you have to do is get it wet and it works miracles!
I’ve been making the switch to all-natural, organic products, from our toiletries to the cleaning products that we have at home. I think it’s the best choice for me and my kids.
I am a germaphobe and I swear by cleaning products containing bleach. After reading on how much harm I may be getting from the them, I may have to scale down a bit. I didnt know that airfreshners are harmful too, I hate their smell and now I have a genuine reason to dislike them.
There are so many studies about bleach – it’s bad for you and the environment from the manufacturing process to when it goes into our water stream. It doesn’t clean any better than a natural cleaner – promise!
This is a very informative post. Since I have children I try to use more products that are safer.
This is so awesome! I’ve been looking for information like this. I have wanted to make better choices but haven’t had much ability to. I totally didn’t know that about borax or most of the things in this list!
http://www.ewg.org is a fantastic source! Also http://www.skindeep.com for makeup and more. You’ll be shocked what you’re using and how toxic it is!
I am pretty bad with cleaning products and rarely ever check the ingredients within them, but this has made me rethink that attitude x
Well this is depressing. I use Borax in my laundry and whenever I have a stain I can’t get out. I also use the Laundress stain remover with great results. I thought those products were highly rated.
Yikes, the Laundress products all rate D and F. Perhaps it’s time to find an alternative? Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster & Household Cleaner is rated A and people swear by it for stain removal. Also, OxiClean Laundry Baby Stain Soaker is rated A. Their other products are much lower. Good luck!
We are diligently working on reducing the chemicals in our home. We have to, I am a cancer survivor and more susceptible to carcinogens.
I’m sorry about your cancer and yes, you can greatly benefit from using more natural products for sure! Best wishes!
just wow!
Shocking to see all of the harmful things we are exposed to everyday! Definitely going to pay more attention!
What to really be shocked? Go check out their partner site http://skindeep.com and check out your shampoo, conditioner, soap, makeup, lotions, etc…..
I love that there are so many convenient products on the market these days. I’ll have to give some of them a try! I’m still cleaning with vinegar, salt, baking soda, lemons and Castile Soap! I don’t know what I’d do without my Castile soap lol
Yikes – thats a lot of stuff that is no bueno for us, our homes and our environment! I’m kinda surprised the list is so massive. I have wanted to try out a wool ball, so thats my next item on my shopping list tomorrow!
I LOVE my wool balls. So much so I bought them for both of my adult children last year. They truly work & they make everything dry faster.
Ack! Now I’m super freaked out about all the cleaning products we have! I’m going to go through them all and see what I need to swap out!
http://www.ewg.org is a fantastic place to start! Then go to http://skindeep.com and start looking at all of your makeup, personal care products, and more…you’ll be shocked how many bad chemicals a day you’re submitting your immune system to!
THis is a great resource list. I need to inform myself on this stuff more.
About 53% of the cleaning products EWG assessed have ingredients known to harm the lungs. I can’t believe this stat. This is reason enough to look for healthier options. Appreciate you raising the awareness.
I do a lot of my cleaning with vinegar. It’s natural, so it’s definitely something I trust.
I just wish it didn’t smell like vinegar! 🙂