Are green products actually effective?

Bear, Delaware residents like a safe, clean home as much as anyone else. We want to keep our floors dust-free and our surfaces sparkling, but not at the risk of exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals.

Perhaps the biggest trend in the cleaning industry over the past decade has been environmentally friendly or ‘green’ cleaning. In a nutshell, green cleaning refers to any substance used to clean your home that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Studies have suggested that some of the ingredients used to make traditional cleaning solutions are hazardous to our health, causing damage to red blood cells and irritating our lungs, and possibly even causing cancer.

Green products, on the other hand, avoid these ingredients in favor of materials that are safe for human exposure. But not all cleaners are created equal. When choosing your product, consider the following questions:

Does it contain non-toxic ingredients?

You don’t have to be a Delaware homeowner to know this one simple tip: the first thing to do when choosing a product is to study the label. Like food, labels can be helpful in telling you what you need to know, and whether or not you’re making the right choice. (However, be advised that in certain tests, some products contained chemicals not listed on the label. The takeaway? At the end of the day, you just have to trust your gut).

Chemicals such as PBDEs, Alkylphenols and PFOA are all found in many common cleaners, and all pose a threat to our health when we come into contact with them. If you clean your own house, you can be responsible for your purchases. However, when using a service, make sure you ask questions about the kinds of cleansers it uses. The best maid cleaning services Delaware has to offer will surely advise you on what’s safe and what’s not, but not all businesses can provide the same information. Make sure you choose your service wisely.

Make sure it’s effective

Despite their toxicity, the truth is that many hazardous products are in fact effective against grease and grime. However, that doesn’t mean you should use them. On the other hand, you should be wary of any all-natural product that fails to adequately clean your home. With their proven safety, green sprays and wipes are generally better for you and the environment, but if they don’t deliver as promised, then they simply won’t do. Test out your products and pay attention to the results. If your bathrooms, kitchens and dusty areas look good, then you’ve found a good product. If not, move on.

Does it beat simple DIY solutions?

A little secret among cleaners is that sometimes DIY solutions are the best for the job. Whether you live in Bear, Wilmington or Sussex County, Delaware professional cleaners know that a mix of white vinegar and baking soda can work just as well as popular name brands in some instances. When choosing a reliable green product, test it against home remedies. If it performs better, then you know you’ve found a winner.