Find out the eco-friendliness of dozens of brands of kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, limescale removers, toilet cleaners and all purpose cleaners. The rating includes sustainable palm oil policy, the presence of aquatoxic chemicals, the use of recycled packaging, and the company's overall environmental ethos.
Brand Ethos includes the company's ecological values and its commitment to sustainability beyond other factors rated in other columns. Ecological brands that are carbon neutral (or even better carbon positive), have a reforestation programme, an efficient waste reduction system, or donate part of their profits to environmental charities (e.g. 1% for the Planet) obtained an A grade.
The company's palm oil policy is one of the most important factors in the global environmental impact. Vast palm plantations in Southeast Asia have caused untold ecological devastation, destroying the tropical rainforest and its biodiversity. According to ASAP 235 animal species are on the brink of extinction in Southeast Asia, including the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, the Sumatran tiger, and 80% of primates in the region, such as the Bornean Orangutan. This is why it can make a real difference to use products that do not contain palm oil derivatives (ideally) or at least choose sustainable palm oil. Companies can source their palm oil responsibly in part thanks to the criteria established by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Companies that use unsustainable palm oil did not get a A rating even if all other categories were outstanding.
Aquatoxic substances were rated from A (safe) to G (most toxic). Only chemicals rated D and above are listed, as those from A to C are considered reasonably safe. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is abbreviated as SLES. Whenever the composition does not specify the type of surfactant, the rating is set as D as the most common anionic surfactant is SLES (D) and the most common amphoteric surfactants is Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (D).
The health hazard column consists mostly of allergens and skin irritants, although some of the most noxious chemicals have also been linked to general body toxicity, endocrine disruption and cancer. In addition to being an allergn, Butylphenyl Methylpropional (aka Lilial) is toxic, an endocrine disruptor with suspected of damaging fertility, and accumulates in the body over time. Bronopol and DMDM Hydantoin are both formaldehyde releasers with potential carcinogenic effects. They can cause respiratory irritation, asthma and allergic skin reaction.
Isothiazolinones are the most common allergens. They are also biocides and therefore toxic to the environment. The most aquatoxic are Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and Octylisothiazolinone (OIT). They are listed only in that category to avoid listing it it in both columns. Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) are less toxic to water life but more allergenic and are consequently listed under health hazard. All four are listed by their acronyms. Alpha-isomethyl ionone is another allergn that is also toxic both to the enviornment and to human health, although less in known about it.
Ethanolamine (MEA), Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) are all respiratory and skin toxicants. The worst of the three is Diethanolamine, which may be carcinogenic and seems to interfere with brain development in foetuses and babies. It has already been banned from use in cosmetics in Canada and is restricted in the EU, but is still found in some cleaning sprays.
Ecological ratings of All Purpose Cleaners
Best value A-rated all purpose cleaner
Ecover (5L bottle)
Bio-D (5L bottle)
Sodasan (20L recharge)
Black Soap is one of the most versatile and most ecological way to clean one's house. It is made from linseed oil, potassium carbonate and glycerin, which are non-toxic for health and for the envrionment. It can also be made with olive oil.
Product
Brand Ethos
Recycled bottle
Palm oil
Aquatoxic substances
Health hazard
RATING
Dr Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap
A+
mostly
organic
-
-
A+
Ecodoo Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Ekibio)
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Ecodoo Traditional Black Soap (Ekibio)
A+
100%
0%
-
-
A+
Sodasan All Purpose Cleaner
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Ecover Multi-Action Spray (S.C. Johnson & Son)
A
partly
RSPO
-
-
A
Bio-D All Purpose Sanitiser
B
100%
RSPO
-
-
A
ECOS All Purpose Cleaner
B
100%
RSPO
-
-
A
Etamine du Lys Liquid Black Soap
B
25%
0%
-
-
A
Greenscents All Purpose Castile Soap
B
no, but refill
0%
-
-
A
Biovie All-Purpose Cleaner (Léa Nature)
A+
no
RSPO
-
-
A-
Biovie Black Soap (liquid or spray) (Léa Nature)
A+
no
0%
-
-
A-
Ecover (Zero) All-Purpose Cleaner (S.C. Johnson & Son)
Note that since toilet cleaners are not meant to be in contact with the skin, the only chemicals toxic to humans that were included in the rating are those potentially causing eye and respiratory irritation (including asthma) in some people. These are chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and hydrochloric acid.
Product
Brand Ethos
Recycled bottle
Palm oil
Aquatoxic substances
Health hazard
RATING
Ecodoo (Ekibio)
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Sodasan
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Ecover (all types) (S.C. Johnson & Son)
A
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Frosch (Rainett)
A
100%
0%
SLES
-
A
Greenscents
B
no, but refill
0%
-
-
A
Seventh Generation
A
100%
RSPO
-
-
A
Bio-D
B
100%
RSPO
-
-
A-
Biovie Toilet Cleaner (Léa Nature)
A+
no
RSPO
-
-
A-
L'Arbre Vert
A
no
RSPO
-
-
B+
Bentley Organics
B
no
no, but sustainable
-
-
B
Etamine du Lys
B
no
RSPO
-
-
B
Sonett
B
no
organic
-
-
B
Domestos Zero Limescale (Unilever)
B
no
mostly RSPO
-
Hydrochloric acid
B-
Domestos Power Fresh (Unilever)
B
no
mostly RSPO
-
-
B-
Ecoleaf Suma
B
100%
RSPO
BIT
-
C+
Ecozone
B
100%
some
BIT
-
C+
Twido 3-in-1 (Aldi)
B
70%
RSPO
Myristamine oxide, Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach
C+
Bref WC Pro Nature (Henkel)
C
50%
partly RSPO
Unspecified anionic surfactants
-
C
Domestos Thick Bleach (Unilever)
B
no
mostly RSPO
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach
C
Harpic Active Fresh (Reckitt Benckiser)
C
no
some RSPO
-
-
D+
Harpic 100% Limescale Remover (Reckitt Benckiser)
C
no
some RSPO
-
Hydrochloric acid
D
Harpic Platinum Pro-Shield (Reckitt Benckiser)
C
no
some RSPO
-
Hydrochloric acid
D
Harpic Power Plus (Reckitt Benckiser)
C
no
some RSPO
-
Hydrochloric acid
D
Lacroix WC Javel (Colgate-Palmolive)
B
no
mostly RSPO
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach
D
Harpic Active Fresh Toilet Block (Reckitt Benckiser)
