Most household cleaners are a witch's brew of toxic chemicals. Sarah Madison takes a look at some eco-friendly alternatives.
We all want clean and hygienic homes, yet many of us are blissfully unaware of the high levels of toxic chemicals that can be found in the household cleaners underneath our kitchen sink. Don't believe me?
Go and take a look. Read the labels on th
e back of the cleaners and you'll see a variety of warning signs, asking you not to inhale or avoid contact with the skin, yet we continue to use them to clean our homes.
Many common household cleaners contain ammonia, chlorine, phosphates, benzene and phthalates. Some of these ingredients have been linked to respiratory illnesses, vomiting, asthma, hormone disruption, birth defects and even some forms of cancer.
And once we've finished cleaning, residues from these cleaning products end up being washed down the plughole, polluting our rivers and harming aquatic life.
Of course, it wasn't always like this. Before the Second World War, household grime was zapped with bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice, a splash of vinegar and a lot of elbow grease.
While I've waxed lyrical about cleaning your home with these inexpensive ingredients in previous columns, I appreciate that many of you simply don't have the time to concoct your own natural cleaning remedies, so this week I've taken a look at some shop-bought multi-purpose cleaners that use natural ingredients to get the job done.
Method All Surface Cleaner£3 for an 828ml bottle
They say: Made with naturally derived surfactants. It works by absorbing dirt rather than chemically degrading it. Not tested on animals and comes in a 100 per cent recycled and recyclable plastic bottle.
We say: Gives off a fresh, pleasant lavender smell. It was great at cutting through grease and grime, but leave for at least two minutes after spraying for best results. While the bottle is great to look at, it's difficult to grip. The eco-credentials of the company behind the cleaner are impeccable.
Rating: ***
Ecover All Purpose Cleaner£1.77 for a 500ml bottle
They say: Cuts through grease and grime using natural ingredients. Perfumed with plant-based ingredients. Packaging is made from recycled material and is fully recyclable. Refill packs available. Not tested on animals.
We say: Founded in 1980, Ecover is one of the pioneers of green cleaning. Standard bottle design is easy to grip, but the floral fragrance is a bit overpowering. Left most surfaces sparkling clean with no nasty smears. Refill packs hard to find.
Rating: ****
ASDA Eco-Friendly Multi Surface Cleaner£1.45 for a 500ml bottle
They say: Ingredients 100 per cent derived and sourced from plant-based material. Contains no petrochemicals, artificial colours or preservatives. Product not tested on animals. All packaging can be recycled.
We say: Excellent results throughout the house. Spray, wipe and you're done. Little or no smell. Easy-to-grip bottle. Cheap.
Rating: ****
Natural House Surface Spar£5 for a 500ml bottle
They say: Made with 83 per cent organic ingredients. Approved and certified by the Soil Association. Not tested on animals.
We say: A mild vinegar smell soon vanishes. Best designed bottle – very easy to hold. Excellent cleaner but needs time to work. It's the only product on test that's made from organic ingredients. Expensive.
Rating: ***
TESCO Naturally All Purpose Cleaner£1.04 for a 750ml pouch
They say: Cleaning ingredients made from plant extracts. Contains no phosphates or bleach. Ingredients not tested on animals.
We say: Best of the bunch. No frills green cleaning at an affordable price. Spray on, wipe off – simple and easy to use. Bought the refill pouch as the bottle wasn't available. Need to dilute with water so even better value for money.
Rating: *****
