Green cleaning is more than just a trend; it is a lifestyle shift that benefits your home and health. Many people are moving away from harsh store-bought chemicals in favor of eco-friendly alternatives. If you have been wondering if this path is right for you, you are in the right place.
We will share 14 benefits of green cleaning to show you how making this switch helps your family and the planet. Plus, we will share stellar tips on choosing the right products if you don’t know where to start. We love opting for natural solutions, so let’s dive into everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Switching to eco-friendly products reduces exposure to irritants and toxic chemicals.
- Green cleaning improves indoor air quality and is safer for asthma sufferers.
- You can save money by using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemons.
- Biodegradable formulas protect local waterways and aquatic wildlife.
14 Benefits of Green Cleaning
Let’s look at the specific advantages of ditching the chemicals and switching to green cleaning.
1. Say Goodbye to Irritants
One study found that 75 percent of cleaning products contain irritants, 64 percent contain harmful substances, and 28 percent contain corrosive ingredients (1). When you switch to green, you eliminate these risks. In turn, you will experience less eye, skin, and lung irritation. Many people also report fewer asthma-like symptoms after making the change.
2. Reduces Asthma Attacks
Speaking of asthma, switching to green cleaning products can significantly reduce asthma attacks since harsh chemicals often trigger them (2).
When you opt for eco-friendly cleaners, you wave goodbye to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and triggers. Instead, natural cleaners use gentle ingredients that make it easier for everyone in the house to breathe.
3. Better for the Planet
Many people switch to green cleaning to protect our environment. Traditional cleaning products are a massive source of urban air pollution (3). When you use natural ingredients, you increase indoor and outdoor air quality. It is a win for the planet and a win for your lungs.
4. Better for the Fish
Green products are safer for aquatic species and our waterways (4).
The hazardous chemicals in traditional cleaning products, such as alkylphenol ethoxylates, have serious adverse effects on water. They pollute the supply, which harms wildlife. Green products rarely contain ingredients that damage ecosystems.
5. You May Save Money
We use green products and homemade cleaners in our home, and it saves us a ton of money. While some pre-made green brands have a higher upfront cost, DIY solutions cost pennies.
You can make effective cleaning solutions using products you likely already have. This includes white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and lemons. These items are cheap and available in bulk.
If you prefer store-bought green cleaners, look for “subscribe and save” options or concentrated tablets to lower the cost over the year.
6. More Sustainable Packaging
If a company makes a green cleaner, they usually care about the environmental footprint of their packaging. You will notice containers are often 100 percent recyclable or made from recycled materials.
We are also seeing a rise in glass packaging and cardboard, such as Seventh Generation’s laundry detergents.
Another trend is concentrated formulas. You buy a small tablet or liquid concentrate and add water at home, which cuts down on plastic waste immensely.
7. Your Home Becomes Safer
If you have kids and pets, they are more susceptible to toxic residue from shelf cleaners (5). By making the switch, you protect them from hazardous chemicals.
Additionally, many chemicals are toxic when mixed. For instance, you should never mix chlorine bleach with other cleaners (6). This is an easy mistake to make, so it is best to avoid chlorine bleach altogether in favor of safer alternatives.
8. You Know the Ingredients
When you use a green or DIY cleaner, you know exactly what is in the bottle. This helps you make educated decisions for your family. For instance, if baking soda irritates your skin, you can easily avoid recipes that use it.
You also learn what to avoid when shopping. Soon, terms like “carcinogenic” and “quaternary ammonium compounds” (quats) will be on your radar, helping you avoid dangerous toxins.
Where To Start
The main ingredients you should avoid include phosphates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, VOCs, chlorine, ammonia, phthalates, and quaternary ammonium compounds.
9. Biodegradable Formulas
Brands should make green cleaners with biodegradable ingredients. This means the product breaks down into basic components and returns to the earth without leaving toxins behind (7). The best biodegradable products leave zero trace, making them the superior eco-friendly choice.
10. Less Clutter
A huge bonus of green cleaning is reduced clutter. We keep a large bucket of baking soda and a gallon of distilled white vinegar, which handles most of our cleaning. That takes up far less space than dozens of specific bottles for windows, floors, and counters.
We also use reusable glass spray bottles with dissolving tablets. Storing tiny tablets is much easier than stocking up on plastic bottles.
Finally, you can make recipes on the spot for removing stains or cleaning grout. You do not need to store these; just mix them as needed.
11. Cleaning Becomes Easier
When you use green products, you have less to worry about.
First, there is no concern over toxic fumes. You can clean with your kids and pets in the room without worry. While you should still wear gloves to protect your skin from drying out, you won’t need vapor masks or high-powered fans to air out the room.
You will also find products that are versatile enough to tackle multiple jobs. You can use white vinegar for mold, mildew, stains, odors, surfaces, and laundry.
12. Protect Your Stuff
Green cleaning products are gentler, which helps your belongings last longer. For instance, it is much safer to use baking soda to whiten clothes than bleach, which degrades fibers. Your clothes will remain in better condition and save you money in the long run.
13. No Bad Fragrances
Green cleaners are often fragrance-free, but scented options usually rely on essential oils or real botanicals. This is a major upgrade from synthetic fragrances, which can trigger allergies, pollute the air, and contain hidden carcinogens (8).
Natural fragrances just smell better. Plus, when you stop using ammonia or bleach, your house won’t have that sharp chemical smell.
14. Support Small Businesses
While big brands are entering the green space, many amazing eco-friendly products come from small businesses. Choosing to shop green encourages you to support smaller entrepreneurs.
You might even love creating your own green cleaners so much that you start your own side hustle. Sharing safe cleaners with friends and family is a great way to spread the word and protect the environment.
How to Choose Greener Cleaning Products
If you are keen on making the switch, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here is how to navigate the aisle.
Are Green Cleaning Products As Effective?
In our experience, yes. We have found green products that work just as well, if not better, than traditional cleaners. This includes surface floor cleaners, stain removers, and laundry detergents.
While there are fewer “industrial strength” options, quality green products use powerful plant-based ingredients that leave your home spotless.
How Do You Tell If a Cleaning Product is Green?
“Greenwashing” is when a brand markets a product to appear eco-friendly even when it isn’t. Brands might say “made with plant-derived ingredients” even if the formula is still mostly toxic.
Here are some tips for choosing products that are genuinely green:
- Look for watchdog organizations: Check the packaging for certifications from The Environmental Working Group (EWG), Ecocert, or EPA Safer Choice.
- Download an app: Scan a product’s QR code with apps like Think Dirty, EWG Healthy Living, or Detox Me to see a safety rating.
- Learn your ingredients: Familiarize yourself with common toxins so you can scan the back of the bottle yourself.
- Check Safety Data Sheets: Look up the product’s safety data sheet (SDS) online to see specific hazards and side effects.
- Look at the “No-No” list: truly green products usually list what they don’t include, such as phosphates, artificial fragrances, dyes, VOCs, and chlorine.
In addition to those, try to avoid these specific ingredients:
- Sodium hydroxide.
- Triclosan.
- Ammonia.
- Perchloroethylene (PERC, PCE).
- Phthalates.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds.
What Is the Best Natural Disinfectant?
If you want to be completely natural, steam is your best friend. Steam cleaners sanitize a huge range of surfaces, killing up to 99.9 percent of common household germs without chemicals (9).
For surfaces that cannot handle heat, high-proof alcohol (like vodka) is a great option. It acts as a disinfectant, stain remover, and shiner. Look for 100-proof vodka or higher for antibacterial properties.
FAQs
How Do Cleaning Products Affect the Environment?
Cleaning products impact the environment by polluting water systems with phosphates, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, and generating massive amounts of non-recyclable plastic waste in landfills.
What Are Plant-Based Cleaning Agents?
Plant-based cleaning agents use ingredients derived from nature, such as citrus oils (degreasers), thymol (disinfectant), or enzymes. They are effective but generally acidic, so you must be careful on sensitive surfaces like natural stone.
Are Green Cleaning Products More Expensive?
Commercial green products can be more expensive due to higher quality raw materials and ethical manufacturing. However, DIY green cleaning (using vinegar and baking soda) is significantly cheaper than buying traditional chemical cleaners.
How Can I Disinfect My House Naturally?
You can disinfect naturally using hydrogen peroxide, high-proof alcohol (isopropyl or vodka), or steam. While vinegar is a great cleaner, it is not an EPA-registered disinfectant and does not kill potentially dangerous viruses like staph or salmonella effectively.
What Is the Most Eco-Friendly Way to Do Laundry?
The most eco-friendly laundry method is washing clothes in cold water with a concentrated, biodegradable detergent. Skip the dryer sheets and hang clothes to dry to save energy and extend the life of your garments.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using Natural Cleaning Agents?
The main disadvantages are that natural cleaners may take longer to work (needing more dwell time) and shelf life is shorter for DIY mixtures. Preservative-free DIY cleaners should often be made fresh for each use.
Can Vinegar Damage Certain Surfaces?
Yes, vinegar is acidic and can damage natural stone surfaces like granite, marble, and limestone. It can also harm hardwood floor finishes and rubber gaskets in appliances over time. Always check if a surface is acid-resistant before cleaning.
Go Green Today
There you have it, 14 amazing benefits to going green in your cleaning routine. It might seem daunting to make the switch, but if you change one product at a time, you will have a whole new cleaning routine in a few months. Trust us, you will never look back.
