Protect water quality and aquatic life by refusing to purchase detergents containing phosphates, which may cause algal blooms, or alkylphenol ethoxylates, including nonylphenol and octylphenol. Unfortunately, these ingredients are rarely, if ever, disclosed on labels; however, the brands recommended in this report are, to the best of our knowledge, phosphate- and APE-free.

Beware of unregulated "greenwash" claims on labels! Terms such as "natural" and "eco-friendly" shouldn't be equated with safety unless they're backed up with specific ingredient information, such as "solvent-free," "no petroleum-based ingredients," "no phosphates," etc. "Non-toxic" has no official definition, so unless a third party has verified this claim, it is not considered meaningful. And don't believe "organic" ingredients in cleaning and other chemical products are any safer than other substances. Although "organic" in the grocery store refers to foods grown without synthetic pesticides, in chemistry it refers to chemicals that are carbon-based, including some VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that release harmful fumes and may cause brain damage or cancer.Additionally, watch out for products labeled organic. Household cleaning products aren’t regulated by the Organic Foods Production Act, but some of their ingredients, such as plant oils, can be labeled “certified organic.” For more info, see ecolabels.org.

Be aware that some labels that may make a product appear eco-friendly are actually meaningless. For example, many aerosol spray cans are labeled "no CFCs" (or chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer), leading consumers to believe they are buying a more eco-friendly product by purchasing that brand. In reality, CFCs have been banned from aerosols since 1978, so none are permitted to contain CFCs. And think of all of the resources that would be saved if companies that advertise their packaging as "100% recyclable" actually switched to materials that are "100% recycled!"

Shopping Suggestions

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS:

Some all-purpose cleaners contain the sudsing agents diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), which can react with nitrites (an often undisclosed preservative or contaminant) to form nitrosamines - carcinogens that readily penetrate the skin. Skin also easily absorbs nerve-damaging butyl cellosolve (also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether), present in some cleaners. Fumes from ammonia-containing cleaners may cause respiratory irritation. Sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) are highly caustic, and sodium hypochlorite should never be mixed with any product containing ammonia or acids, or toxic gases will result. To prevent chemical accidents, it's best to simply avoid.

Most household cleaning needs can be met safely and inexpensively with a sturdy scrubber sponge and simple ingredients like water, liquid castile soap (such as Dr. Bronner's, below), vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda for scrubbing grease and grime.

Listed below are a number of all-purpose cleaners that are gentler on human health and the environment. While eco-friendlier cleaners are becoming more widely available in conventional grocery and home stores, most can be found only at natural foods stores or must be ordered by mail.

AFM SafeChoice Super Clean, www.afmsafecoat.com, 800/239-0321

Aubrey Organics Earth Aware, www.aubreyorganics.com, 800/282-7394

BioShield Vinegar Cleaner, www.bioshieldpaint.com, 800/621-2591

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile (Liquid) Soaps, www.drbronner.com, 760/743-2211

Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds, www.drbronner.com, 760/743-2211

Ecover All-Purpose Cleaner, www.ecover.com, 800/449-4925

Ecover Multi-Surface Cleaner, www.ecover.com, 800/449-4925

1st EnviroSafety Cleaner/Degreaser, www.1stenvirosafety.com, 888/578-9600

Naturally Yours Gentle Soap, 888/801-7347

Our House Works Sanitizing Surface Cleaner, www.ourhouseworks.com, 877/236-8750

Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner, www.seventhgeneration.com

Shaklee Basic H, www.shaklee.com, 800/SHAKLEE

Vermont Soapworks Liquid Sunshine, www.vermontsoap.com, 866/SOAP4U2

BATHROOM and TOILET BOWL CLEANERS:

Corrosive ingredients in toilet bowl cleaners are severe eye, skin and respiratory irritants. Some toilet bowl cleaners contain sulfates, which may trigger asthma attacks in those with asthma. And bathroom cleaners containing sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or phosphoric acid can irritate lungs and burn eyes, skin and, if ingested, internal organs. Mixing acid-containing toilet bowl cleaners with cleaners that contain chlorine will form lung-damaging chlorine gas. Your safest best is to avoid both ingredients.

Soap and water, or baking soda for scrubbing soap scum and toilet bowls, work for most bathroom cleaning needs. Scrubbing shower tiles with a toothbrush of baking soda-water paste will help remove mildew and its stains. For tougher toilet jobs, pour one cup of borax and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice into the bowl. Let sit for a few hours, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Or look for these safer, plant-based bathroom, shower and toilet cleaners at natural foods stores. Some are only available by mail order.

AFM SafeChoice Safety Clean, www.afmsafecoat.com, 800/239-0321

BioShield Toilet Bowl Cleaner, www.bioshieldpaint.com, 800/621-2591

Bon Ami Cleaning Powder, www.bonami.com

Earth Friendly Shower Kleener, www.ecos.com, 800/335-ECOS

Earth Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaner, www.ecos.com, 800/335-ECOS

Ecover Toilet Cleaner, www.ecover.com, 800/449-4925

Naturally Yours Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner, 888/801-7347

Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner, www.seventhgeneration.com

Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner, www.seventhgeneration.com

Seventh Generation Shower Cleaner, www.seventhgeneration.com

ENZYME CLEANERS:

Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins produced by all living organisms to speed up chemical reactions. Enzyme cleaners make use of these naturally occurring enzymes to break down the proteins in specific targets: Protease enzymes work on protein stains, lipolases fat or lipid stains, and amylases starch- or other carbohydrate-based stains. Allergy sufferers should avoid using enzyme cleaners on carpets, as the enzymes remain in the carpet fibers after cleaning and subsequent vacuuming can lead to prolonged exposure. Some enzyme cleaners still contain the same harsh surfactants, chemicals and preservatives found in standard cleaners, so be sure to read the label carefully.
Bi-OKleen’s Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator ($8.39/32-oz. bottle, drugstore.com).

GLASS CLEANERS:

Some window cleaners contain nerve-damaging butyl cellosolve. Many contain ammonia, which may irritate airways and will release toxic chloramine gases if accidentally mixed with chlorine-containing cleaners.

Plain water is just as effective as some commercial glass cleaners. Or fill your own spray bottle with water and either 1one-quarter cup white vinegar or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to help wipe away greasy fingerprints and other harder-to-remove spots. The safer glass cleaners below may be found at natural foods stores or ordered by mail.

Aubrey Organics Liquid Sparkle, www.aubreyorganics.com, 800/282-7394

BioShield Glass Cleaner, www.bioshieldpaint.com, 800/621-2591

Earth Friendly Window Kleener, www.ecos.com, 800/335-ECOS

Naturally Yours Glass & Window Cleaner, 888/801-7347

Our House Works Shiny Surface Cleaner, www.ourhouseworks.com, 877/236-8750

Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner, www.seventhgeneration.com

DRAIN CLEANERS:

Chemical drain cleaners are among the most dangerous of all cleaning products. Most contain corrosive ingredients such as sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) that can permanently burn eyes and skin. Some can be fatal if ingested.

Prevent drains from becoming blocked in the first place by capturing hair and other drain-clogging particles with inexpensive metal or plastic drain screens, available at home improvement and hardware stores. Regularly collect and dispose of hair that collects around shower or sink drains, and do not allow large food scraps to wash down the kitchen sink.

When clogs occur, use a "snake" plumbing tool to manually remove blockage, or try suction removal with a plunger. If you purchase a chemical drain cleaner, choose one of the two below that use enzymes, rather than caustic chemicals, to eat away gunk. Earth Friendly is available in natural foods stores; Naturally Yours must be ordered by mail. Like chemical cleaners, these are most effective on drains that are only partly clogged.

Earth Friendly Earth Enzymes Drain Opener, www.ecos.com, 800/335-ECOS

Naturally Yours Enz-Away, 888/801-7347

OVEN CLEANERS:

Lye and sodium hydroxide, which are corrosive and can burn skin and eyes, are ingredients in many oven cleaners. Aerosol spray oven cleaners are easily inhaled into lung tissue.

Prevent spills from being baked onto the oven floor by lining it with aluminum foil, and by cleaning them up before they have had time to dry and cook. To remove grease and charred food residues without resorting to caustic chemicals, try soaking oven surfaces overnight in a mixture of water, baking soda, and soap, then scrubbing off with baking soda and a soapy sponge. Or a paste of washing soda and water may do the trick, but be sure to wear gloves when working with washing soda.

If you choose to buy a commercial cleaner, try any of the scouring powders and creams we recommend on the next page.

SCOURING POWDERS and CREAMS:

Some scouring powders contain silica, which is harmful when inhaled, as the abrasive scrubbing agent. And some are made with chlorine bleach, which may irritate skin and airways and will form hazardous gases if mixed with ammonia or acidic cleaners.

Baking soda effectively scours away most grime on tubs, showers, toilets, and countertops. For cleaning up grease, cleaning expert Annie Berthold-Bond recommends applying a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda, 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, and 2 cups of hot water with a spray bottle. Wear gloves when working with washing soda, though. Or try the brands below. Bon Ami can be found in grocery stores; look for the others at natural foods stores.

Bon Ami Cleaning Cake, www.bonami.com

Bon Ami Cleaning Powder, www.bonami.com

Earth Friendly Cream Cleanser, www.ecos.com, 800/335-ECOS

Ecover Cream Cleaner, www.ecover.com, 800/449-4925