Free cleaning guide – How to clean in an eco-friendly way and what to watch out for.
Sara IdenforsIn summary, we list hazardous chemicals to be aware of in cleaning products and offer environmentally friendly alternatives.
Last edited on May 8, 2024
We list the most dangerous chemicals to watch out for and recommend environmentally friendly alternative products.
Cleaning in an environmentally friendly way is not only good for nature, fish in waterways, and all other plant and animal life, but also for you and your family. Being around harmful chemicals is not healthy, and they can harm us quite directly.
It is worth mentioning that most things are chemical in nature. Water, for example: H2O, dihydrogen monoxide; salt is chemical too: sodium chloride – neither of these is harmful. Sodium chloride may not sound very appealing, but once you know it means = salt, it suddenly seems less dramatic. What is needed, then, is knowledge.
By learning a little more, it is easy to distinguish harmful substances from harmless ones. We will never be able to completely avoid contact with harmful chemicals; for example, we cannot decide which cleaning products are used in all the different places we visit during a day, BUT we can do our best by making sure we are not exposed to unnecessary and unhealthy substances at home.
Here we will go through a few simple things you can keep in mind to make your everyday life less exposed to harmful chemicals.
Tip number 1 – Start reading ingredient lists
Warning symbols on the back are the first warning sign. If the warnings and ingredients list are also long, you should be cautious – keep reading and investigate, or put it back on the store shelf.
Things that are toxic or can cause serious, long-term harm are labeled like this
Products that are hazardous to the environment are labeled like this
Västerbottenssåpa does not require any of the above labels; Västerbottenssåpa is readily biodegradable and harms neither you nor the environment.
Chemicals to watch out for in cleaning products
Chlorine sodium hypochlorite – a toxic chemical that harms aquatic organisms. As we know, wastewater eventually ends up in lakes and waterways.
Triclosan – can cause hormonal problems, both for you as the user and when it enters the ecosystem.
2-Butoxyethanol – can cause breathing difficulties and low blood pressure, and may even reduce the red blood cells in your blood.
Denatured ethanol – ethyl alcohol that causes nausea and dizziness; you may lose your vision and, in the worst case, die. This should preferably not be kept inside the home, and if you have it at home, it must be handled with extreme caution and kept far from children.
Alkyl dimethyl benzyl = ammonium chloride, works in the same deadly way as denatured ethanol.
Things you can use for cleaning instead:
Baking soda can be used for cleaning
Baking soda is alkaline and can therefore be used for all cleaning where the dirt comes from plants, animals, or people.
A few tips:
Remove bad odors from shoes.
Clean a mattress topper / sofa / rug
Mix with vinegar to unclog drains
Spirit vinegar can be used for cleaning
Spirit vinegar is acidic and can therefore be used for all cleaning where the dirt comes from metals or corrosion, or where limescale needs to be dissolved.
A few tips:
Clean a coffee maker clogged with limescale
Clean the strainer in the faucet / showerhead
Use as a rinse aid and polishing agent.
Do NOT use on anything containing eggs or on wooden floors.
Vinegar can be used for cleaning
Vinegar is acidic and can therefore be used for all cleaning where the dirt comes from metals or corrosion, or where limescale needs to be dissolved.
A few tips:
Remove tape residue
Catch fruit flies
Soap for all cleaning at home and at work
Soap is both alkaline and greasy, so it can be used for all cleaning where the dirt comes from plants, animals, or people, or where the dirt is greasy.
Some tips:
Pretreat greasy stains on clothes before washing
Clean the kitchen extractor fan filter
Behind the stove
In the bathroom
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Questions and Answers
- What is the first step to avoid harmful chemicals?
The first step is to start reading the ingredient lists on cleaning products and watch out for warning signs, especially if the ingredient list is long.
- What are some examples of hazardous chemicals that may be found in cleaning products?
Examples of hazardous chemicals include chlorine, triclosan, 2-butoxyethanol, denatured ethanol, and alkyl dimethyl benzyl.
- What are some eco-friendly alternatives suggested for cleaning instead of hazardous chemicals?
Eco-friendly alternatives include baking soda, vinegar, wine vinegar, and soap, which can be used for different types of cleaning depending on the source of the dirt.
- What are some examples of uses for vinegar in cleaning?
Examples of uses for vinegar include cleaning the coffee maker, removing limescale from taps and showerheads, and using it as a rinse aid and polishing agent.
- What is the advantage of using soap for cleaning?
The advantage of using soap for cleaning is that it is both alkaline and fatty, making it effective for cleaning dirt from plants, animals, or people, as well as greasy dirt.
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