Cleaning is a necessity, but most things we use contain lots of chemicals. This begs the question: are cleaning products bad for the environment?
If, like us, you are looking to live a more sustainable life and reduce the impact you have on our environment, you might look at swapping to more eco-friendly products.
There are many areas, where a swap could make all the difference. One of these areas is cleaning. After all, there are lots of different products.
So in this guide we will answer the question: are cleaning products bad for the environment? And we also look at one alternative to traditional cleaning products.
Chemicals In Cleaning Products
One of the biggest concerns in terms of environmental impact of cleaning products are the chemicals they contain.
So in order to answer the question if cleaning products are bad for the environment, we have to find out if the chemicals used are bad.
While we don’t know the impact of all the chemicals that are used, and there are loads, we are aware of the effects of many of them.
You might think that if a chemical is harming the environment, surely, it will be banned. That would be great, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Many chemicals that are known to harm the planet, or us for that matter, are still allowed and are used.
That’s why it’s important that we, as consumers, have the knowledge to make the right choices. Only if we stop buying products with harmful chemicals will the manufacturers stop using them.
Find Your Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Quiz
Just answer 5 simple multiple choice questions and get a personal recommendation for eco-friendly cleaning products:
How Chemicals Harm The Environment
Before we have a closer look at what kind of harmful chemicals are in cleaning products, let’s look at how these chemicals impact the environment.
The biggest impact cleaning products have on the environment is water pollution. Through our drains, the chemicals reach our waterways, such as rivers, lakes and the ocean.
Although the water we flush down our toilets or sinks passes through water treatment plants, some chemicals manage to get through to our waterways.
There they can cause harm to aquatic plants and animals. For example, phosphates trigger algae growth, which reduces the oxygen level in rivers and lakes. This will reduce the biodiversity.
Other chemicals are toxic for plants and animals. Others again might inhibit the growth and reproduction of plant and animal life.
Through aquatic life, such as fish, these chemicals can transfer to birds and mammals who eat the fish. And even enter the human food chain.
Some of the chemicals used in cleaning products can take ages to break down, some don’t break down at all. This means they will have a lot of time to cause harm to our environment.
You might have already guessed it, the answer to our question is yes, cleaning products are bad for the environment. At least the ones that contain these harmful chemicals.
Some Chemicals In Cleaning Products To Avoid
While not all chemicals used in cleaning products have been tested, we know that quite a lot of them are bad for the environment and us.
So in our guide to answer the question “are cleaning products bad for the environment?”, we will tell you which chemicals you should stay clear of.
- Parabens
- APEs
- NPEs
- Triclosan
- Isothiazolinones
- Ammonia
- Petroleum-Based Chemicals
- Chlorine Bleach
- Formaldehyde
- Butoxyethanol
- Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)
Let’s look at these nasties in more detail.
Parabens
These chemicals are used as preservatives in many products, including cleaning products. They extend the shelf-life of any products they are added to.
While not much research has been done in terms of the impact parabens have on the environment, it is thought that they are harmful.
One study has shown that low levels of the paraben butylparaben can kill coral. But has also been shown to be harmful to turtles. (Ding et al., 2023)
But what has been researched is the harm that parabens can do to humans. These chemicals have been linked with reproductive harm, endocrine disruption, cancer and skin irritation.
It is not difficult to imagine that if it is harmful for humans that it is also bad for wildlife and the environment in general.
So avoiding parabens is not just good for the planet but also for yourself and your family.
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEs)
Very nasty chemicals. You can find them in stain removers, degreasers and disinfectants.
One of the APEs has been linked to breast cancer, so not a substance you want near you.
When these APEs get flushed down our drains and reach the water treatment plant they turn into even more toxic chemicals.
In our waterways, they then cause havoc with the reproduction systems of aquatic life, such as fish. (Acir et al., 2018)
These are definitely chemicals you should avoid.
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
Like APEs, NPEs are great for removing stains and getting rid of grease. That’s why you will often find them in oven cleaners.
So they are great for a clean oven, but they will also cause infertility in any animal that comes in contact with them.
And while we can wear gloves when we clean our ovens, the fish and water mammals have no protection from these NPEs once they are in our rivers, ponds and lakes.
If you see NPEs on the label of a cleaning product, put it back on the shelf.
Triclosan
You find this chemical in many cleaning products, as it is antibacterial. It’s actually classed as a pesticide as it kills bacteria and fungi, so gets rid of mould.
If you have a cleaning product that is labelled “antibacterial” then the chances are it contains triclosan.
Not in your handwash though, because in the UK triclosan can’t be used in toiletries. Why? I hear you ask.
Well, that’s because it has been linked with cancer, liver problems and hormone disruption in humans. Nasty stuff!
But despite this, it’s still allowed in cleaning products. Even though it’s known that it affects aquatic life if it gets into our waterways. And we know that it does, because researchers have found triclosan in dolphins. (Fair et al., 2009)
They live in our oceans, so this nasty chemical has a far reach. Avoid it if you can.
Isothiazolinones
Another group of chemicals that is used as a preservative that makes products last longer.
On a label you will probably find the names of the individual chemicals of this group: Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylisothiazolinone (MI or MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI or CMIT).
They are used in many products, including cosmetics, personal care products, lotions and cleaning products, such as washing up liquid. It might even be used in products labelled “natural”, because these chemicals replace parabens.
But there is nothing natural about these chemicals. They have been linked to skin irritation and can be toxic to your lungs and nervous system.
It is also known to be highly toxic to aquatic life. And because they need oxygen to degrade, they won’t break down in water. (Lee et al., 2022)
So stay away from products using any of these chemicals.
Ammonia
You might have heard of this chemical. It’s used in a lot of cleaning products, including in cleaners for bathrooms, glass, toilets and ovens.
Ammonia is very harmful for the environment. It can cause loss of biodiversity on land as well as in the water. (Edwards et al., 2023)
This nasty chemical can even contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases, which are responsible for climate change.
Don’t buy anything that contains ammonia, as it is a very harmful chemical for our planet as well as for us.
Petroleum-Based Chemicals
There are many chemicals that are made from petroleum, which means fossil fuels. And we know very well how bad the use of fossil fuels is for our environment.
Petroleum-based chemicals that are used in cleaning products include: phthalates (or diethylphthalate), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and paraffin.
The fact that these chemicals are made from petroleum means they are not eco-friendly. But they can also cause a lot of harm to plants, wildlife and us humans.
Keep away from cleaning products that use petroleum-based chemicals.
Top-Rated Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
| Cleaning Products | Value For Money | Effectiveness | Ease Of Use | My Rating | Review | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | 4.90 | Review | Visit |
 | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | 4.90 | Review | Visit |
 | Great | Outstanding | Excellent | 4.87 | Review | Visit |
Chlorine Bleach
Most of us probably have used bleach to clean. It’s known as a very effective disinfectant. It keeps your toilet clean and free of germs.
But it’s a very harsh chemical that can cause skin burns. Its fumes can cause damage to your lungs, if you inhale them regularly, for example, by using bleach often for cleaning.
Chlorine bleach is also bad news for the environment, as it is very harmful to wildlife on land and in the water.
Given that this chemical is often found in toilet cleaners, it will inevitably reach our waterways. And because wildlife drinks from lakes, ponds and rivers, it also get’s into their system.
If you want to clean your house in an eco-friendly way, don’t use chlorine bleach or any cleaning products that contain it.
Formaldehyde
This chemical is another preservative that is used in many household products, including for cleaning your house.
It’s nasty stuff that has been linked to cancer and can cause all sorts of problems for humans when exposed to it, including headaches, burning eyes, nose and throat, skin irritation, coughing, nausea and more.
And it’s just as bad for animals if they come in contact with it. In water, this chemical is toxic, so is a threat to aquatic life.
Given that this substance is strictly regulated in the EU, keep away from anything that contains it.
Butoxyethanol
This chemical is used as a solvent that gets rid of grease and dirt, so it is often used in cleaning products.
It has been shown in studies that this chemical can be harmful to humans when inhaled or comes in contact with skin.
There is a lot of research that shows that butoxyethanol is harmful to humans and animals. There is also evidence that it is toxic to aquatic life.
Sounds like a very nasty chemical that is better avoided.
Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)
This type of Quatenary Ammonium Compoud is used as a preservative. You can find it in many wet wipes.
BAC is actually known to be toxic to cats, so if you have one, make sure you don’t use anything with this chemical in.
And if it is bad for house cats, it won’t be good for other animals.
Wet wipes often end up in the environment, and if they contain BAC, they can cause a lot of harm to our wildlife and plants. Stay away from this chemical.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are so many chemicals that are used in cleaning products. Many of which we don’t know much about.
But if you stay clear of these, you will make a big difference to our environment.
Microbeads
Another way household products are bad for the environment is by their use of microbeads.
These are tiny pieces of plastic, less than 1mm wide, which are used as fillers or emulsifiers.
These microplastics are too small to be caught during the water treatment processes and therefore end up in our waterways.
There they are eaten by marine life. Studies have found these tiny plastic pieces in all sorts of animals. And microplastics even made it into our bodies.
Although the exact extent to which these microbeads can harm animals and humans is not known, scientists are very worried about them.
While the UK has banned microbeads in certain products in 2018, the ban does not include cleaning products.
Because these microbeads are made from different plastics, there isn’t just one type to look out for.
If you see any of the following on the ingredient list of a cleaning product, it contains microbeads:
- nylon (PA)
- polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
- polyethylene (PE)
- polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- polypropylene (PP)
The annoying thing is that these microbeads are not even needed. So hopefully the government will soon fully ban any products containing microbeads.
But until then, look out for these terms on any household cleaning product, so you can avoid buying them.
The good news is that there are eco-friendly brands out there that don’t use these nasty chemicals and microbeads in their household cleaning products.
Single Use
When we try to answer the question of “are cleaning products bad for the environment?” we can’t ignore that some are single use.
You probably know what I am talking about, these oh so convenient wet wipes. You can buy them for kitchen surfaces, the floor, the bathroom and to dust with. And that’s just for cleaning, they are also used in many other areas.
Sure they are great, you use them and just bin them with all the dust and dirt. But did you know that most wipes are made of plastic?
Yep, they are terrible for the environment. Being single use is already bad because it produces so much waste. The plastic just makes them even worse.
And because so many people think they can be flushed down the toilet, millions of wipes end up in our environment, where they have many negative impacts.
You can find out more about this topic in our simple guide about how bad wet wipes are for the planet.
So try to avoid using single use cleaning solutions as they cause a lot of harm to our environment.
Packaging Cleaning Products Come In
To answer the question “are cleaning products bad for the environment?” we can’t forget the packaging that most cleaning products come in.
The main packaging is plastic. And even though most plastic bottles can be recycled, all this plastic is unnecessary.
Producing plastic uses a lot of energy and most traditional plastics are made from fossil fuels, which is not a sustainable source. Besides, they are responsible for climate change, among other things.
Also, plastic can’t be recycled forever, as the quality deteriorates. This means it will eventually end up in landfill.
We have a huge problem with plastic pollution, which we can only solve if we use less plastic.
Like so many other plastic bottles, they are not necessary. We could use reusable glass bottles, that can be recycled endlessly by the way.
The good news is that there are companies who offer just that. You can buy refills, rather than a new bottle. Often those companies also use eco-friendly ingredients, without using those nasty chemicals or microbeads.
Recommended Eco-Friendly Cleaning Product Brand – Microbz
Through my research I came across Microbz, a UK-based company that specialises in probiotics and who make probiotic cleaners.
They don’t use harsh chemicals; instead they use beneficial bacteria. I was immediately intrigued by this.
Probiotic cleaning is my new favourite thing. Basically these bacteria do the job of chemicals, but they are harmless for us and the environment.
And they even continue working after I have finished. If you now wonder how bacteria can be good, think of our body. We have loads of bacteria everywhere that help us.
For example, gut bacteria help us to digest food. So the Microbz cleaning products use nature to keep our homes clean. I love that!
Their products come in concentrates, which you just add water to. And the best thing, you don”t need much. One bottle latsts us for month and month.
I use their power cleaner, which is an all-purpose cleaner with is extra powerful. It gets rid of tough stains, such as blood.
And cat sick is no problem any more either. I spray it on the stain and leave it for a bit. Then rub the carpet and the stain is gone. Fabulous!
I use it to clean everything in my home, the kitchen, bathroom, floors, the cats’ litter tray, for dusting, windows, mirrors, and much more.
If you are looking for eco-friendly cleaning products that work, Microbz has you covered. Want to find out more, read our full Microbz cleaner review.
Now then, are cleaning products bad for the environment?
The answer is yes, most of the ones we buy in the supermarket are.
They contain nasty chemicals that are not just bad for our planet but also for us humans. The packaging most household cleaners come in is plastic, which is also bad news for our planet.
Disposable cleaning wipes don’t just contain harmful chemicals, but most of them are also made of plastic, which will cause great harm to aquatic life. A big amount of wipes end up in our environment, because they are flushed.
Many cleaning products also contain microbeads, which are too small to be caught by the water treatment plants. This means they end up in our waterways, where they cause harm to marine and wildlife.
The good news is that there are companies in the UK that offer eco-friendly cleaning products that don’t contain harmful chemicals or microbeads. They also ensure that their packaging is sustainable.
Swapping to eco-friendly household cleaners is one way you can help to protect our environment for generations to come. And you are also keeping yourself and your family safe from nasty chemicals.
Or if you prefer, you can make your own natural cleaners, with our favourite DIY cleaning product recipes. Whichever you choose, creating an eco-friendly cleaning routine has to include moving away from harsh synthetic chemicals.
