Cleaning products may create unhealthy exposures, and industrial degreasers are notorious for containing petrochemical ingredients that may be problematic.
Here are tips for choosing a commercially available but less hazardous off-the-shelf product for general purpose cleaning and degreasing:
- A USDA A-1 rating means a product is safe for food contact surfaces such as kitchen countertops and food preparation equipment.
- Odorless, less toxic formulas do not contain synthetic fragrances, dyes or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to respiratory irritation, chemical sensitivities or allergic reactions.
- More benign products do not contain PFAS (aka, forever chemicals) which can be persistent in the environment and hazardous.
- Biodegradable products break down rapidly (typically within four to seven days), minimizing ecological impact.
- Use safer surfactants such as Linear Primary Alcohol Ethoxylates.
- Are derived from plants such as soybeans and seaweed.
- Do not contain 2-Butoxyethanol (butyl cellosolve), a solvent known to penetrate skin and irritate lungs.
- Do not contain harsh acids, ammonia or bleach, and are pH-neutral to reduce the risk of surface damage.
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