Cleaning your home doesn’t have to mean exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. By selecting safer products and adopting smarter cleaning habits, you can create a healthier, more sustainable environment.

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Why Healthy Cleaning Matters

• Hidden Ingredients: Cleaning product labels often omit ingredients, leaving potential allergens and toxins undisclosed.
• Harmful Chemicals: Ingredients like ammonium quaternary compounds, bleach, and formaldehyde can cause asthma, allergies, and reproductive harm.
• Indoor Air Quality: Many cleaning products contribute to indoor pollution, releasing chemicals into the air.

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Tips for Choosing Healthier Cleaning Products

Opt for All-Purpose Cleaners
- Reduces the need for multiple products and minimizes ingredient exposure.

Check for Ingredient Listings
- Look for products with transparent labels. Avoid ambiguous terms like “fragrance,” “dye,” or “surfactant.”

Go Fragrance-Free
- Fragrances often contain hidden chemicals linked to health issues and indoor air pollution.

Choose Simple, Soap-Based Formulas
- Look for ingredients like potassium cocoate, sodium cocoate, or saponified plant oils.

Avoid Dyes and Colorants
- Brightly colored cleaners often contain unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals.

Select Safer Disinfectants
- Favor hydrogen peroxide (?3%), ethanol (?70%), or citric acid (?0.5%) over ammonium quaternary compounds.

Try Vinegar-Based Solutions
- Mix equal parts vinegar and hot water for glass cleaning, but avoid vinegar on delicate surfaces.

Check Online Ingredient Lists
- Use California’s ingredient disclosure laws to research product safety, even if you live elsewhere.

Look for Certifications
- Choose products certified by Made Safe or labeled with the EPA Safer Choice seal for safer options.

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Tips for Healthier Cleaning Practices

Use Distinct Products for Cleaning and Disinfecting
- Cleaning removes dirt and germs; disinfecting kills germs and should be used for high-risk messes.

Clean Before Disinfecting
- Dirt and grime can block disinfectants from effectively killing germs.

Protect Yourself
- Wear gloves and ventilate your space when using harsh cleaners or disinfectants.

Prioritize Reusables
- Swap disposable wipes for washable cleaning cloths to minimize waste.

Choose Sustainable Wipes
- If you use cleaning wipes, select biodegradable materials like cotton or Tencel.

Dust with Damp Cloths
- Skip specialized dusting sprays and use a damp reusable cloth with water or an all-purpose cleaner.

Refill and Reuse
- Opt for products with refillable tablets or concentrates to reduce packaging waste.

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Eco-Friendly Cleaning Resources

• Made Safe Certified Products: Ensure products meet rigorous health and sustainability standards.
• EPA Safer Choice Label: Identifies products with verified safer ingredients.

By making informed choices, you can maintain a clean home while protecting your health and the planet.

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