Non-Toxic Cleaning Products discussed by Eco Solutions
Many cleaning products both industrial and household are dangerous to humans and to the environment. They can irritate the eyes and throat, cause headaches and other health problems, some of which are serious. Many cleaning products have overpowering smells and lots of colours and they can make us sneeze, our eyes water and our skin sting and all of these things should be telling us that these cleaning products have ingredients in that aren’t good for us. Using Non-Toxic Cleaning Products is the best option and they are easily available, preventing inhalation of toxins and chemicals, skin irritations and much more.
Some off the shelf cleaning products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful ingredients including ammonia and bleach so always be really careful when buying and using them as they can be as toxic to humans and the environment as vermin poison is.
Some environmental experts are saying that the average household cleaner, perfume and creams contain a minimum of 62 toxic chemicals, all of which can be potentially harmful ingredients like parabens and phthalates. research has shown that if you are exposed to them routinely it can result in mild skin irritation and itchy eyes, or major symptoms like reproductive issues, asthma and much more.
To make these things more worrying, there is no regulation of what goes into our cleaning products across the world and neither ingredients or products need to meet any sort of safety standard, testing or notification before bringing a product to market. Think about the cleaning products you have used in the past which have a hazardous warning on, yet we still continue to use them.
Lots of cleaning product manufacturers claim that using their products sparingly and as per their instructions ensure they have no harmful impact on our health. According to a 20-year longitudinal study conducted by scientists at the University of Bergen in Norway it was found that using cleaning products can be as harmful as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.
The research showed that ”People who have worked as cleaners or done household cleaning for 20 years have reduced lung function equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day, for the same period of time,” says PhD-candidate Øistein Svanes, at the Department of Clinical Science, at the University of Bergen. He is the main author of the study.
Bad for Lungs
He says his findings might not be surprising when thinking about all the small particles that follow with cleaning products.
The study also shows that cleaners have a 40 per cent higher risk of developing asthma than others.
The research includes 6 000 participants, based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).
The study is published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and is part of the Horizon 2020 project Aging Lungs in European Cohorts (ALEC).
Use a Water Bucket
Professor Cecilie Svanes at the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, UiB, supervisor of the study, says the cleaning sprays are the main problem.
”The small particles from the sprays can remain in the air for hours after cleaning. The small particles can travel deep into the lungs and cause infections, and ageing of the lungs,” Svanes explains.
“I would recommend using a bucket of water and soap when cleaning. You will not need a lot of chemicals after all, when cleaning. Microfibre cloths may be just as effective,” Cecile Svanes points out.
Breast Cancer UK state:
Some household cleaning products contain EDCs which may be linked to breast cancer. These can be anything from detergents to cleaning sprays. Using these products could increase your exposure to EDCs, either by inhaling them, or getting them on your skin.
Look to avoid products containing them and be aware of the ingredients normal household products contain.
What are the harmful chemicals found in cleaning products?
Phthalates are found in many fragranced household products, including air fresheners, soaps and even some scented toilet paper. Companies don’t have to disclose what is in their scented product so you probably won’t find phthalates on any labels. If you see “fragrance” on a label then it is highly likely that phthalates will be in the product.
Perchloroethylene also referred to as, “PERC” can be found in lots of dry-cleaning solutions and products, spot removers, and carpet and upholstery cleaners and products as well as products that are described as degreasing metal products. It is also commonly an ingredient found in a range of common products such as water repellants, paint removers, printing inks, glues, sealants, polishes and lubricants.
Triclosan is sometimes abbreviated as TCS and is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toys, and surgical cleaning treatments.
Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, or “QUATS” is commonly found in fabric softeners and sheets, most household cleaners labelled as “antibacterial” and antistatic agents in shampoos and conditioners
2-Butoxyethanol is found mainly in window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners and gives them their sweet characteristic smell.
Ammonia is commonly found in polishing agents for bathroom fixtures, sinks and jewellery and glass cleaners as the ammonia evaporates and doesn’t leave streaks. Ammonia is a powerful irritant and will irritate the lungs when breathing it in.
Chlorine is commonly found in scouring powders, toilet cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners and there is a limited amount in household tap water. You can be exposed to chlorine through fumes and through your skin when you clean. It can be a respiratory irritant if exposed to it at an acute level.
Sodium Hydroxide is found in oven cleaners and drain unblockers and is otherwise known as lye, sodium hydroxide which is extremely corrosive: If it touches your skin or gets in your eyes it can cause severe burns and sore throats which can last for days.
Bleach is found in lots of different household cleaners and can burn your skin and eyes and impact your breathing if inhaled. Bleach reacts with other chemicals to form other products including dioxins.
We all want to keep our homes clean, however, how do you do this without using the normal off the shelf cleaning products that you can buy in your local shop or supermarket.
Find out the Benefits of using Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products are Safe for Children
When you have young children having cleaning products with harmful chemicals in the around the house can be a concern as they will be breathing them into their airways and lungs as well as the problems that will occur if it touches their skin or goes into their eyes. Using non-toxic cleaning products will ensure they aren’t breathing in harmful chemicals and there is no chance or the product irritating their lungs, skin or eyes whilst still having a clean and healthy home.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products are Safe to Breath in
Breathing in toxic chemicals can be harmful to your lungs, airways and overall well being, even if it isn’t an excessive amount of product being used and it is especially more serious with anyone who has asthma or an existing lung condition. Traditional household cleaners play a huge factor in air quality within our homes so using Non-Toxic Cleaning Products is better for all of us and our families now and in the long run. Using non-toxic cleaning products protects your own and your families airways and lungs whilst still enabling you to keep your home clean and free from germs and bacteria.
Non-Toxic Cleaning products aren’t Harmful to the Environment
Cleaning products go into our pipes and drains and eventually end up in our rivers and seas, as well as in our water treatment plants for it to be cleaned and filtered for us to use again. A huge concern now is that large volumes of chemicals in our water make it difficult for many water treatment plants to treat and clean the water effectively enough for it to go back into our water systems again. The toxic chemicals from our cleaning products seep into the environment and end up harming wildlife and the food we are growing to consume. Bleach is a chemical which is especially damaging to the environment because it lingers for many years and even small amounts will keep accumulating in air and water over time, all resulting in negative health impacts for both humans and wildlife. Using non-toxic cleaning products enables you to have a clean and healthy home whilst knowing that you are doing your bit to protect the environment.
Our Careful Cleaning Advice
- Always use cleaning products sparingly
- Avoid mixing chemicals and cleaning products together, as an example mixing a product containing bleach and ammonia creates gas combustion which can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death
- Wear gloves, mask and safety goggles when using strong cleaners which state they are hazardous and harmful or don’t use them at all
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using toxic cleaning products
- Wash your eyes out with water immediately if any product gets into your eyes
- Keep rooms well ventilated when using toxic cleaning products
- Don’t use anything that contains formaldehyde and chloroform, both of which are known carcinogens
- Switch to eco-friendly household cleaning products from the Eco Solutions range
Eco Solutions Home Use Cleaning Products
Our range of safe, water-based non-toxic cleaning products includes multi-purpose household and commercial cleaners, paint strippers, graffiti remover, textured coatings remover and other specialist products.
They have been researched, developed and manufactured in the UK and are a safer, non-toxic cleaning product formulated by Eco-Solutions from the most advanced, innovative water-based technology using ” science not solvents”.
One product does all and there are no pre or after treatments needed.
They are safe to use and cause no harm to the environment compared to conventional and sometimes hazardous cleaners and solvents.
Our Non-Toxic Cleaning Products & Features
One product does all – No pre or after treatment – Suitable for many substrates – Water-based – Non-hazardous – Non-toxic – No skin burns – Non-caustic – Non-flammable – PH neutral – Solvent-free- “Tough not toxic” – No H (hazard) or P (precautionary) statements on the label.
Grime Go is a unique surface preparation cleaner for the home and workplace. It removes all types of grease, oil, dirt, stains, grime, dirt, mould, adhesive residues and paint splashes. It can be used to prepare surfaces for re-painting or just to clean and brighten the substrate. No fumes, no skin burns, no abrasives and non-toxic.
PVCu Cleaner cleans uPVC windows, doors and guttering (may etch certain types of Perspex and polycarbonate so do a patch test first). Removes heavy grime, dirt, oil, and paint splashes too. Spray on and wipe away any stains and grime. The product is being used by an increasing number of consumers and professional users. DIY Doctor is currently one of the largest home improvement websites in the UK. They are committed to putting the customer first, providing a platform for novice and experienced Home Improvers so they can get together with experienced tradesmen to share knowledge, skills and experience about anything to do with house and home. You can see their demonstration for PVCu Cleaner here.
Super Strength Degreaser removes grease, oil, grime, glue and even light carbon build-up. It is effective and pleasant to use, water-based, no abrasives with no H (hazard) or P (precautionary) statements on the label.
Graffiti Go removes all paints including car spray paints – Graffiti shadow – Leather dye – Marker pen -Crayons – Fly posters – Chewing gum and can be used on all types of surfaces including; woods, all metals (including Aluminium), stone (including soft and porous stones), brick, marble, concrete, most plastics (may etch certain types of Perspex and polycarbonate).
Eco Solutions Non-Toxic Product Cleaning Hints & Tips
Grime and Stain Removal
How to clean and remove grime and dirt from a glass top stove – Wipe away as much of the grime and dirt using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft damp cloth and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean and remove grime and dirt from granite – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft damp cloth and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean and remove grime and dirt from hardwood floors – Mop your floor using warm soapy water. Spray your floor with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Using clean warm soapy water and a mop wipe the floor clean. Polish with a soft clean dry cloth.
How to clean and remove grime and dirt from marble surfaces – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft damp cloth and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean and remove grime and dirt from outside window sills – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with PVCU Cleaner and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the PVCU Cleaner with a soft damp cloth.
How to clean and remove paint from outside window sills – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with PVCU Cleaner and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the PVCU Cleaner with a soft damp cloth.
How to clean and remove dirt and grime from oven glass & doors – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 – 10 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft cloth and warm soapy water and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean and remove dirt and grime from oven racks – Wipe the racks down using a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Spray the racks with a generous amount of Super Strength degreaser. Leave to work for 15 minutes and use a scouring ball and warm soapy water to wipe away the dirt and grime. Wipe clean with a wet soft cloth and polish clean with a soft dry cloth.
How to clean and remove dirt and grime from an oven – Wipe the oven down using a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Spray the oven with a generous amount of Super Strength degreaser. Leave to work for 15 minutes and use a scouring ball and warm soapy water to wipe away the dirt and grime. Wipe clean with a wet soft cloth and polish clean with a soft dry cloth.
How to clean and remove dirt and grime from quartz surfaces – Wipe the surface using a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft damp cloth and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean stainless steel – Wipe the stainless steel surface with a soft damp warm cloth, spray with Grime Go and leave for 5 minutes. Wipe away the Grime Go with a soft warm soapy cloth and then polish with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean tile floors – Mop your floor using warm soapy water. Spray your floor with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Using clean warm soapy water and a mop wipe the floor clean. Use a dry mop over the tiles to ensure you don’t leave any watermarks.
How to clean vinyl floor – Spray your floor with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Using clean warm soapy water and a mop wipe the floor clean. Use a dry mop over the vinyl to ensure you don’t leave any watermarks.
How to clean wooden floor – Mop your floor using warm soapy water. Spray your floor with Grime Go and leave for 5 – 10 minutes. Using clean warm soapy water and a mop wipe the floor clean. Use a dry mop over the tiles to ensure you don’t leave any watermarks.
How to clean wooden doors – Spray your door with Grime Go and leave for 5 – 10 minutes. Using warm soapy water wipe the door clean. Wipe the door dry with kitchen roll.
How to remove mould from wood – First, spray some PVCU cleaner onto the mould areas. Leave to work for 5 – 10 minutes and wipe the mould away with a clean damp cloth. Repeat as necessary. If this doesn’t remove the mould then you can paste some Home Strip Paint Remover on the mould, leave to work for 30 mins and wipe the area clean. Be aware that the Home Strip Paint Remover will remove any surface paint or varnish as well as the mould so you will need to repaint or varnish after.
Carpet, Fabric & Clothes Grime and Stain Removal
How to clean a fabric sofa – Spray the dirty area on your sofa with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Using a clean, warm damp cloth gently wipe away at the stain, this isn’t always needed as the Grime Go will often dissolve the stain without the need for wiping it.
How to clean upholstery – Spray the area you want to clean on your upholstery with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Using a clean, warm damp cloth gently wipe away at the stain, this part is not always needed as the Grime Go will often dissolve the stain without the need for you wiping it.
How to clean fabric shoes – Spray the area you want to clean on your fabric shoes with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Using a clean, warm damp cloth gently wipe away at the stain, this part is not always needed as the Grime Go will often dissolve the stain without the need for you wiping it.
How to remove grass stains from clothes or any fabric – Spray the grass-stained fabric with Grime Go and leave for 10-20 minutes. Wash in the washing machine as normal and the stain will be removed.
How to remove oil stains from clothes – Spray the oil stain with Grime Go and leave for 20 – 30 minutes. Wash in the washing machine as normal and the stain will be removed.
How to remove oil stains from anything – Spray the oil stain with Super Strength Degreaser and leave for 10 – 20 minutes. Wipe away the Super Strength Degreaser with a soft damp cloth.
How to remove zinc oxide from clothes – Spray the zinc oxide stain with Home Strip Paint Remover and leave for 20 minutes. Wash away with clean water. Wash in the washing machine as normal.
Outside Grime and Stain Removal
How to clean headstones – Spray the headstone with Grime Go and leave for 30 minutes. Use a soft scourer to gently rub the dirt, grime and mould away. Wash the headstone with cold water.
How to clean outdoor furniture – Spray the furniture with Grime Go and leave for 30 minutes. Use a soft scourer or brush to gently rub the dirt, grime and mould away. Wash the furniture down with clean warm water.
Glue, Ink, Varnish & General Grime Stain Removal
How to remove crazy glue – Spray the glue stain with Home Strip Paint Remover and leave for 10 minutes. Use a soft scourer or brush to gently lift the glue away. Wash the area with clean warm water.
How to remove Gorilla Glue – Spray the glue stain with Grime Go and leave for 10 minutes. Use a soft scourer or brush to gently lift the glue away. Wash the area with clean warm water.
How to remove 5-minute epoxy – Spray the glue stain with Home Strip Paint Remover and leave for 10 minutes. Use a soft scourer or brush to gently lift the glue away. Wash the area with clean warm water.
How to remove nail glue from skin – Dab the glue stain with Home Strip Paint Remover and leave for a minute. Use a soft scourer or brush to gently lift the glue away. Wash the area with clean warm water.
General Dirt & Grime Removal
Grime Go is the one product that everyone should have at home as it will lift and clean away most grime and dirt on almost any surface. It will be your ‘go-to’ product and one you won’t ever want to be without. Simply spray on the area, leave for 10 plus minutes and wipe away, it really is that easy.
Where can I buy the Eco Solutions Products?
Our Eco Solutions ‘Home Use’ and ‘Trade Use’ Products can be purchased through Brewers, Buildbase, Jewsons, Travis Perkins. You can also find our stockists here.
Make your home or business safer and start using our Non-Toxic Cleaning Products today, you really won’t be disappointed and won’t ever want to be without them ever again.