How to clean your home – naturally
As natural cleaning products pioneers Ecover and Method champion the efficacy of
their ranges following a controversial Which? report, we revisit exactly why ecological
household cleaners should be the natural choice for conscientious shoppers.
Sarah Woodhead writes.
An English girl's home is her Taj Mahal
If an Englishman's home is his castle, an English girl's home is her Taj Mahal.
Our sanctuary from daily stress, or a safe nest for our kids, our home is a uniquely
precious place. We put our hearts and souls into making our homes comfortable and
uplifting. We love to pour through glossy interiors magazines, browse in boutique
homes stores and go window shopping at estate agents too. Our love for our home
has no bounds.
It's not surprising then, given that we cherish our homes as a place of safety and
sanctuary that more of us are thinking carefully about the products we use to look
after our home. We are choosing to treat our homes kindly, not just because it's
better for us and better for our children but because it's better for the environment
too.
Switching to natural cleaning products
From wall paint to toilet cleaner, we are increasingly picking ecological products
that are free from toxic nasties. It comes as naturally to us as buying natural
beauty products or fresh organic fruit and vegetables. We know that, ultimately,
the kinder we treat our home, the kinder it will treat us in return. Fortunately,
a good number of us are also realising that natural products can bring more than
enough cleaning power to our homes too. We are, thankfully, surfacing from decades
of “kill every known germ dead” advertising in which, apparently, our
children's very lives are on the line if the kitchen floor isn't industrially scoured
twice daily!
If you've yet to switch to
natural cleaning products the range of choice can seem a bit bewildering.
It's not always clear what to avoid or what the benefits of switching to natural
products are.
But choosing natural cleaning products doesn't have to be complicated. You might
want to pick a brand that you trust or that has come recommended to you, such as
Ecover or Method. Or you may wish to try an own-brand product. Either way, our guide
highlights what to look for.
Switching to natural laundry products
What to look for: A concentrated solution that works at low temperatures, because
nothing else will limit damage to the environment more than turning down the temperature
of your wash to 30 degrees or less. Also look for rapid biodegradability, as your
children won't thank you for the future impact of laundry liquid sloshing about
in rivers. Products should be free from performance-enhancing phosphates, too, and
sold in packaging that can easily be recycled.
A product like
Method's Laundry Detergent fits the bill. It is a 95% plant-based biodegradable
formula, in an impressive 8 x concentrated solution that washes at 30 degrees. The
packaging is made from 50% recycled plastic, and there is a fragrance-free version
too.
Going natural in the kitchen
What to look for: Products made from sustainable plant and mineral-based ingredients,
organic all the better. Don't be conned by products with natural sounding names,
or with a “natural” synthetic fragrance or essential oil. Look for biodegradability
again, and select products that are free of phosphates, phthalates and known allergens
such as
parabens (preservatives). Choose minimum packaging and if possible, consider
refillable products.
Pioneering brands, like Ecover, are currently researching surfactants made from
natural sources without the use of chemical processes. Surfactant is the ingredient
that clings to dirt and whooshes it away. Currently even natural plant-based surfactants
go through a chemical process.
Where concentrates aren't available, think about buying larger-sized packs to cut
down on multiple smaller plastic bottles. Washing-up liquids, like
Ecover's Washing Up Liquid, can be bought in large sizes too, to cut down
on packaging.
Choosing natural bathroom cleaners
What to look for: A recent Which? report criticised ecological toilet cleaners,
claiming they had no less impact on the environment than normal cleaners once water
had been through waste treatment facilities. However, as Method boss
Adam Lowry recently pointed out to Independent.co.uk, normal toilet cleaners
contain bleach which won't biodegrade. Instead, bleach breaks down into chlorine
which combines with organic material to form toxic chemicals.
For bath, shower and sink cleaners look for the same elements as kitchen cleaners,
with the added incentive that your skin has much more chance of coming into contact
with any cleaning product residue in the bathroom.
An important tip is to buy products that do more than one job. This cuts down on
plastic waste for all of those separate bottles. And it should go without saying
that you should avoid any product that has been tested on animals. Look for the
cruelty free rabbit logo, or a Not Tested On Animals guarantee. BigGreenSmile.com
does not stock any products that have been tested on animals.
What products are available?
You might not be aware but it is possible to buy ecological versions of the following
household products, amongst others: Laundry liquid and balls; washing up liquid;
dishwasher liquid, tablets, gels and rinsing agents; cleaning cloths; all purpose
cleaners; shower and bathroom cleaner; disinfectant; limescale remover; floor cleaner;
carpet shampoo; toilet cleaner and drain unblocker.
Where to start?
We don't recommend you clear out your cleaning cupboard in one go as that would
be wasteful. Simply swap in ecological products as your old non-eco ones expire,
initially buying smaller sizes until you find products you feel happy with. The
technology behind these products is so much more advanced now than when we first
started seeing them on the shelves more than 20 years ago, so you'll be hard pushed
not to find ones that you'll want to stay loyal to. What's more, the packaging of
some ranges is so pretty you'll want to keep it out of the cupboard. Now, I can
guarantee you'll never feel that about a bottle of Domestos!
