Home Shocker: Just How Dirty Are Your Cleaning Products?

Pick up any cleaning product on the shelves of a big box store and you’ll probably read a lot about its “powerful cleaning power” or “extra-concentrated formula.” But suspiciously absent? The noxious chemicals used in the mystery goo inside that bottle.

Plus, each could be hiding hormone disruptors—potentially toxic chemicals that can interfere with your body’s endocrine system. These chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health concerns, including fertility problems, diminished sex drive, kidney disease, and birth defects.

Shopping for cleaners  can feel a bit like Russian roulette—you can almost never tell what you’re getting, what’s in it, and what effect it might have on you and your environment.

That’s where Ecover comes in. Founded in 1979, this line of eco-friendly, sustainable cleaning products offers an alternative to conventional synthetic cleaners that pollute the environment. Think of the Belgian scientists who founded this brand not as mad scientists, but as “eco-pioneers.”

Since these scientists manufactured their very first product—a phosphate-free laundry detergent—Ecover has upheld their promise to “leave nothing dirty behind.” Here’s a look at how they measure up to the competition.

Biodegradable

All of Ecover’s products are completely biodegradable. Actually, almost anything will eventually be broken down by microorganisms in the ecosystem—but these cleaning products break down more quickly than, say, an aluminum can (200 years) or a plastic bottle (100 years).

Plant-based

Instead of relying on synthetic chemicals that can cause all kinds of health issues—for your body and the planet—Ecover uses renewable, plant-based ingredients that ensure it’s gentle on the environment and less likely to irritate the skin.

Even their bottles come from naturally occurring resources. Not only does Ecover use post-consumer recycled plastic in their bottles, but they’ve actually discovered a way to create a plant-based plastic out of sugarcane. Each bottle is a mix of recycled plastic and this sugarcane plastic, and can be recycled again and again, reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

Never tested on animals

What good would an eco-friendly brand be if it wasn’t animal friendly, too? Absolutely none of the Ecover products have ever been tested on furry creatures.

So ditch those toxic mainstream brands. Whether it’s a fabric softener, dish soap, or bathroom cleaner, Ecover products outshine the competition.

Photo credit: Ecover