GENERAL PURPOSE CLEANERS

The primary function of general purpose cleaners is to remove soils from hard surfaces.

Millions of kilograms of general purpose cleaners are consumed in Australia each year.  This represents a potentially significant burden on the environment in terms of wastewater loading and subsequent treatment, the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resource consumption and disposal of packaging materials.

The major active components in general purpose cleaners are surfactants, builders, solvents and scouring abrasives.  Components, such as surfactants, may accumulate and may be toxic or otherwise harmful in the environment.  Surfactants provide a significant load on sewage systems. Builders serve to overcome water hardness and improve surfactant performance.  Phosphate and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) are commonly used builders. 

Phosphate may be a limiting nutrient in some aquatic environments and in some other countries the use of phosphate in detergents has been discouraged to prevent unsustainable plant growth and oxygen starvation (eutrophication) of lakes and waterways.  In Australian waters, the contribution of phosphate from agricultural and forested land usually outweighs that from sewage however for local area waste water management systems phosphate free detergents can reduce nutrient availability for  unsustainable plant growth and eutrophication.

Although NTA is an efficient builder, it may influence the mobility of heavy metals in aquatic environments.

Solvents are used either to assist in the cleaning action or to provide solvency for other ingredients. The most widely used solvent is water, however organic solvents may also be included.  Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from all purpose cleaners are fairly significant in comparison to other household products.  These VOCs react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight to produce ground level ozone and photochemical smog.  Reducing VOC emissions will thus improve air quality.

For more specific information on these products use the Good Environmental Choice Standard for General Purpose Cleaners in Australia. This standard is used to assess the environmental performance of a range of mutli-purpose and specialise cleaning products in Australia and determine if they deserve the Australian 'Good Environmental Choice' Label.

GECA 17-2006 - GENERAL PURPOSE CLEANERS

GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICES

• To reduce environmental and health impacts, components of general purpose cleaners should either be environmentally innocuous or should  readily biodegrade, and the products of degradation should not pose an increased risk to the environment.

  • EDTA;

  • NTA;

  • APEOs;

  • Reactive chlorine compounds such as hypochlorite or organic chlorine carriers;

  Other things you can do:

• Stock up on a few safe, simple ingredients that can be used in most cleaning situations. Soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and a coarse scrubbing sponge can take care of most household cleaning needs.

• Instead of using a standard drain cleaner, which likely contains lye, hydrochloric acid, and sulphuric acid, try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.

• For an effective glass cleaner, use a mixture of half white vinegar and half water.

• To clean up mildew and mould, use a mixture of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.

• A paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water makes a great oven cleaner.

• In the rare instance you need to use a hazardous product, use as little as possible and dispose of it in a way that will cause minimum harm—for example, by bringing it to a hazardous waste recycling or treatment centre.