Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Products

Environmentally preferable products are products and services defined as those which have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service, as stated in Presidential Executive Order 13101, section 201. Please note the comparative, rather than the absolute of the definition.

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserving resources and habitats, and minimizing global warming and ozone depletion. Green Seal has no financial interest in the products that it certifies or recommends in any manufacturer or company.

Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. recommends the use of Green Seal Certified Products for those categories where a standard is available. Until a standard is available and products are certified for a particular category, a review should be performed of the Material Safety Data Sheets for existing products. Select the most “preferable” product based on human health considerations and impact on the environment. It is imperative to remember that we clean for health first, with appearance considerations being second. It is also important to remember proper product selection always calls for selecting the least hazardous product in those situations where no “Green” product is available.

Cleaning Chemical	More Preferable	Less Preferable
General Purpose Cleaners	Lauryl, amides, and glyosides	Nonyl phenol ethoxylates, NTA, EDTA, gycol ethers, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydrozide, sodium metasilicate, phosphates
Restroom Cleaners	Lauryl, amides, glyosides, citric acid, acetic acid	Nonyl phenol ethoxylates, NTA, EDTA, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid
Bowl Cleaners	pH in the range of 4, food and cosmetic dyes, biodegradable, lauryl, amides, and glyosides, citric acid, acetic acid	pH in the range of 1, dyes and fragrances, nonyl phenol ethoxylates, NTA, EDTA, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid
Glass Cleaners	Lauryl, amides, glyosides	Ammonia, alcohols, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, other glycol ethers
Carpet Cleaners	Lauryl, amides, and glyosides	Nonyl phenol ethoxylates, NTA, EDTA, gycol ethers, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydrozide, sodium metasilicate, phosphates
Disinfectants and Sanitizers	Hydrogen peroxide, lower potential for persistence in the environment, lower potential accumulative in living tissue, pH of 4 or higher, Green Seal	Sodium hypochlorite, quats, alcohols, phenolics
Chrome Cleaner/Polish	Low or no VOC, bio-based products, oils derived from renewable resources	Petroleum distillates, ammonia
Floor Finishes and Strippers	Recyclable containers, VOC < 7 % by weight, flashpoint below 150 degrees. pH < 11.5, phosphorus < .5 % by weight	Zinc, other metals, ammonia, dibutyl phthalate, alkylphenol ethoxylates, ethylene glycol, 2-butoxyethanol
Furniture Polish	Oils derived from renewable resources, citrus oils	Petroleum distillates
General Degreasers	D-Limonene, methyl esters from soy or corn	Glycol ethers, ethylene glycol mono butyl ether, sodium hydroxide
Graffiti Remover	Low VOC, high flash point, neutral pH (4-11), n-Methyl-2-Pyrolidone, d-Limonene	Methylene chloride, petroleum, distillates, propane, butane, isobutene, sodium hydroxide
Lime and Scale Remover	pH of 4, citric acid, acetic acid	Hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid
Spot Removers	Detergent based, low VOC, high flash points, d-Limonene, methyl esters	Mineral spirits, 2-butoxyethanol
Deodorizers	High flashpoint, water based, epoxy based, lauryl, amides, glycosides	Xylene, Stoddard solvent, nonyl phenol ethoxylates, paradichlorobenzene

           

More Info on Green Cleaning

• Benefits of Green Cleaning
• Is Your Building Sick?
• Green Cleaning Survey
• Green Cleaning Products
• Green Cleaning Procedures

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