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.
