Eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner: reading non-toxic labels

How to read non-toxic on a label

Non-toxic has no single definition on a cleaning product, and it is not a promise that a product is harmless. Any cleaner can irritate eyes or skin, and many should not be swallowed or inhaled in strong doses. A useful label lists ingredients, gives clear directions, and has warnings. Take a general claim as a reason to read more, not as a reason to relax. This page does not say that any product is safe or non-toxic.

• Ingredient list: the clearest source. Look for a full list, not just a few highlighted ingredients.
• Directions and warnings: read them. They tell you which surfaces and uses are intended.
• Specific claims: plant-derived ingredients, recycled packaging, or a recognized certification are more useful than a general word.
• Fragrance-free: helpful if scents bother you.

Surfaces and mixing

• Check which surfaces a cleaner is made for. Some are not meant for natural stone, unsealed wood or certain screens.
• Test on a small, hidden spot first.
• Never mix cleaning products, since some combinations release dangerous fumes. Use one product at a time and rinse between.

Our angle: concentrates and the price of a finished bottle

A small bottle of concentrate can look expensive, but you dilute it into many spray bottles. To compare it with a ready-to-use spray, work out the price of the finished liquid: add the ounces of concentrate and the ounces of water the directions call for, then divide the price by that total. This is your price per finished ounce. Follow the dilution on the label, since using a stronger mix does not necessarily clean better.

1. Find the dilution directions, for example the amount of concentrate per spray bottle.
2. Work out how many bottles one container makes.
3. Divide the price by that number and compare it with a ready-to-use spray.

Refills and packaging

• Refill pouches and tablets can use less packaging. Check what they are made of and how to recycle them.
• Keep the original spray bottle and label so you can read the directions.
• Label any bottle you refill.