Label Lingo

Manufacteurs are not required by law to disclose the ingredients in cleaning products. This makes figuring out whether it is safe or not a challenge. Here are some definitions of terms you're likely to encounter when shopping. Your safest bet is to buy from companies that list all ingredients on their labels, or better yet, purchase the two or three ingredients necessary for creating your own cleaning products at home.

BIODEGRADABLE
This term means the product will broken down over time into harmless materials. It doesn't mean the product is safe for the environment unless the manufacteur says how long it will take it to biodegreade. The sooner, the better of course.

CHLORINE FREE
This means the product contains no chlorine, a toxic chemical responsible for more household poisonings annually than any other and a cause of ozone depletion. Opt for chlorine-free versions of all cleansers and stop cleaning with chlorine bleach, for your health and the environment's.

NATURAL
Natural products do not contain synthetic ingredients. Us of the term isn't regulated however. You can verify the claim only by checking ingredients on the label or with the manufacturer.

NEUTRAL pH (NON-CORROSIVE)
The product is neither highly acidic nor alkaline. It is generally safe on skin and this fact is really only important if you are going to use it with your bare hands.

NONTOXIC
Only a very large amount will cause damage when a product is genuinely nontoxic. Use of the terms isn't regulated however, so choose products from manufacturers that indicate in what way products are nontoxic (such as "non-toxic if inhaled").

OXYGENATED
Term indicates that it is useful for whitening and brightening by releasing oxygen, which breaks up stains and eliminates mildew. It is safer than chlorine bleach. Oxygenated products may not work as quickly as chlorine-based products, but they are effective when you follow label directions.

PHOSPHATE-FREE
Meaning, it contains no phosphates (which increase a detergent's effectiveness). When phosphages enter water-ways, they spur algae to overgrow, depleting oxygen and killing fish. This term is rather meaningless with regards to marketing. Phosphates are banned by law in all cleaning products except autmatic dishwasher detergents.

SURFACTANT
The active cleaning agent in detergents is surfactant. Conventional products often use petroleum-based surfactants. Opt for surfactants described as plant-based; these are a better choice for the environment.

Go to OrganicStyle.com for a printable wallet-size card listing toxic and nontoxic ingredients commonly found in household cleaning products.