Why clean cleaning products matter
You clean your home to make it healthier. But what if the products you use do exactly the opposite? Ordinary cleaning products contain substances that are harmful to your health: for you, for your children, for everyone in the house. It's a problem that's hardly talked about. But it's time that changed.
Why conventional cleaning products are a risk
Anyone who cleans breathes in fumes and absorbs substances through the skin. Directly and repeatedly. That's not unusual: most people clean at least once a week, and domestic cleaners do it every day. Research by the Christian trade union ACV, carried out by biosecurity company Wakari, showed that many common cleaning products contain endocrine disruptors and allergenic substances. The results were worrying.
A 2018 study by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel also pointed to a doubled mortality rate among people who work professionally in the cleaning sector. The researchers link this to the role of certain substances in cleaning products in the development of cancer, respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease.
What exactly are endocrine disruptors?
Did you know?
Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances that affect the hormonal system. They enter your body through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. You can't see them and you can't smell them. Yet even a small amount is enough to disrupt your hormone balance in the long term. They increase the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes and fertility problems.
There are currently more than 800 substances with endocrine-disrupting effects known. They are found in everyday products: cleaning products, food packaging, flooring and cosmetics. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, babies and young children are extra sensitive to these substances.
Besides endocrine disruptors, many conventional cleaning products also contain bleach and ammonia. Sprays and atomisers are extra risky: you breathe fine particles and irritants deep into your lungs. The immediate effects are skin irritation, burning eyes and respiratory complaints. The long-term effects are more serious.
Which substances are best avoided?
Not every cleaning product is equally problematic. But there are a number of substances you can try to avoid:
| Endocrine disruptors | Corrosive substances | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Chemical substances that imitate or block the action of hormones | Aggressive chemicals such as bleach, ammonia and strong acids |
| What's the problem? | Increase the risk of cancer, fertility problems and hormonal imbalance | Cause burning hands, eye irritation and respiratory complaints |
| On your label | Phthalates, nonylphenols, certain fragrance ingredients | Sodium hypochlorite (bleach), ammonia, strong alkaline substances |
| Rule of thumb | Choose products without synthetic fragrances and with a transparent ingredient list | Avoid products with hazard symbols on the packaging |
| Extra fact | ACV is asking the Flemish Parliament for clear rules on which products may be used in the service voucher sector | Bleach combined with other products can form toxic gas |
Harmful substances also don't disappear after cleaning. They stay behind on your worktop, your floor, your clothes. Children, pets and everyone in the house come into contact every day with what's left behind.
So what should you use?
Clean products exist: products that work powerfully without burdening you or your surroundings. What makes a good cleaning product?
- Transparent ingredient list: you know what's in it and why. No hidden substances, no misleading marketing.
- No corrosive chemicals: no strong fumes, no burning hands, no irritation during normal use.
- Effective without being aggressive: you can remove dirt without attacking your surfaces or your skin.
- Biodegradable: good for the environment, even after rinsing.
POWR builds on two technologies that nature itself has used for millions of years: enzymes and probiotics. Enzymes break down dirt molecule by molecule, targeting fat, protein and starch, without damaging your skin or surfaces. Probiotics stay active on your surfaces for up to 7 days after cleaning and crowd out unwanted bacteria long after a conventional product has worn off.
No microplastics. No corrosive substances. No harmful residues left behind. Made in Europe.
Who is this especially important for?
Everyone in the house benefits from cleaner products. But for some people, more is at stake:
- Domestic helpers and professional cleaners. Daily exposure builds up. Research shows that 1 in 3 domestic helpers has skin problems caused by cleaning products, and 28% suffer from lung complaints.
- Families with young children. Endocrine disruptors are especially dangerous for developing children. Toddlers crawl across the floor and touch worktops and surfaces, exactly where cleaning product residues are left behind.
- People with allergies or asthma. Chemical fumes and allergenic substances in conventional products can trigger or worsen symptoms.
- Pregnant women. Endocrine disruptors are particularly harmful during pregnancy, even in low concentrations.
How do you recognise a safe cleaning product?
You don't need to be a chemist to make better choices. Look out for these four things:
- Check the label. Are there hazard symbols on it? Then the product contains corrosive or dangerous substances. The fewer symbols, the safer.
- Look for recognised certifications. EU Ecolabel, B Corp certification and independent safety assessments are concrete signs of quality.
- Choose transparency. Brands that list and explain their ingredients in full have nothing to hide.
- Avoid synthetic fragrances. "Parfum" on a label can hide dozens of unnamed substances, including possible endocrine disruptors.
A clean home starts with the right choice. Not only for yourself, but for everyone who lives in it every day.
Discover the new POWR bundle, specially put together for all our cleaning heroes →
