Buying Guide - Toilet 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. And keep in mind that even safer ingredients may not be problem-free. Here's a quick breakdown of potentially harmful ingredients in products listed above:

Citric acid: Derived from citrus fruits, citric acid is used as a preservative and is considered safe, except for in extremely large doses. High concentration of fumes and of dust particles containing citric acid can irritate the nose and throat, and contact can irritate eyes.

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.

Phosphoric acid: Though relatively safe in toilet bowl cleaners, phosphoric acid can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract when it enters the air as a spray or mist, so avoid aerosol products containing this ingredient. Avoid splash contact with phosphoric acid, which can irritate eyes and skin.

Sodium Percarbonate: A powdery agent derived from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide; it works as a mild antiseptic.

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 alkyl benzene 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. 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.

Packaging

Choose products in packaging that's recyclable in your area, and whenever possible, choose packaging with at least some post-consumer waste 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 contain least-toxic ingredients and 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. Even better, choose concentrated formulas, which require less packaging and shipping fuel.

Usage Tips

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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