Buying Guide - Glass Cleaners

What To Look For

Ingredients

Although manufacturers aren't required to disclose cleaning product ingredients, avoid products containing the worst offenders, and choose those made with plant-based, instead of petroleum-based, ingredients. The cleaners above are generally safer than conventional cleaners, but some still contain irritating ingredients and should be handled with care:

Ethanol: Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from plants, usually corn. Because it is a volatile solvent, it can irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tracts.

Surfactants: Surfactants lower water surface tension, enabling cleaning chemicals to spread and penetrate more easily. Manufacturers usually don't disclose the type of surfactant used, instead using vague terms such as "nonionic surfactant,""anionic surfactant" or "wetting agent." Some surfactants are safer than others, such as alklyl polyglycoside which is made from cornstarch and a plant fatty alcohol. On the other hand, anionic linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is derived from the non-renewable petroleum byproducts benzene (which the EPA has classified as a human carcinogen) and paraffins. Sodium laureth sulfate (also SLES and sodium lauryl ether sulfate) is another anionic surfactant that may contain 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. Even though we recommend avoiding SLES in personal care products, finding a cleaner without it can be difficult. Finally, production of the nonionic surfactant alcohol ethoxylate, derived from plant and vegetable oils, can also release 1,4-dioxane.

Third Party Certification

While third party certification is rare for cleaning products, independently certified products come with additional guarantees.

Leaping Bunny: The Leaping Bunny label indicates products made by companies that follow the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals. This standard was developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight animal protection groups, including the American Humane Association and The Humane Society of the United States. Companies with this logo pledge not to conduct or commission animal testing on either their products or the ingredients used in those products.

Packaging

Choose products in packaging that's recyclable in your area, and whenever possible, choose packaging with at least some recycled content.

Shopping and Usage Tips

Avoid unsubstantiated and vague claims, such as "ecologically friendly" or "non-toxic." The term "biodegradable" is meaningless on cleaning products, as most substances will eventually break down given enough time and the right environmental conditions.

Choose products whose claims are more specific, such as "No ammonia," "TEA-Free" and "No sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate," and specific explanations, such as "biodegrades 90 percent in 7 days."

Although most cleaners don't list ingredients, you can learn something about a product's hazards by reading its label. Defined by the CPSC, the warning labels "Danger," and "Poison" indicate that a product is corrosive, flammable or combustible, irritating or a strong sensitizer, and that they have the potential to cause serious personal injury or illness during, or as a result of, normal use.

Products labeled "Danger" or "Poison" are typically most hazardous, while those bearing a "Warning" or "Caution" label are moderately hazardous.

Beside the signal word is usually a phrase that describes the nature of the hazard, such as "may cause skin irritation," "flammable," "vapors harmful" or "may cause burns on contact."

If you can find them, choose products that are less-toxic enough that they require none of the signal words above on their label.

To reduce packaging waste, choose cleaners in the largest container sizes available and seek out bulk sizes. Also, choose concentrated formulas, which require less packaging and fuels for shipping.

Usage Tips

Some all-purpose cleaners can serve as glass cleaners, but be sure to read instructions. For instance, ready to use enzyme cleaners will streak glass unless heavily diluted. To prevent streaks with these cleaners, mix one tablespoon ready-to-use with 32 ounces of water.

Eco-friendly or not, all cleaners should be used with basic common-sense measures:

Keep the room well ventilated.

Keep all cleaners out of reach of children and pets, and store them in childproof cabinets.

Read and closely follow all directions on the product label.

Leave all products in the original packaging, which should provide instructions for use and any cautionary and first-aid information.

If ever a mess requires heavy-duty, potentially hazardous cleaners, certain safety precautions should be followed, particularly when children or pregnant women are present:

Minimize harsh fumes by placing a fan in the doorway facing out of the room during cleaning.

Immediately clean any spills.

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