SubscribeNormally I am not one to be overly concerned with the anti-bacterial power of my green cleaning products. I have a strong belief in the power of improving our immune systems by coming into contact with small amounts of bacteria. So, normally a liquid soap or mild detergent really is as tough as my green cleaning gets. But a recent trip to see my parents and some discussion on the new medication my father is taking has made me see things a little more clearly. Sometimes we need our safe cleaner to be a really powerful one too. This is where Anti-bacterial Eco cleaners and a Disinfecting Safe cleaner is desired.
I do see that some degree of anti-bacterial cleaning power is very necessary in certain places. I am fit, healthy and like to think I’m pretty young too. But, what if I wasn’t. When suffering from certain chronic illnesses, elderly or taking immune-suppressant medication it becomes imperative that we do not become infected by harmful bacteria.
The same can be true for hospitals, care-homes and nurseries. Although my gut feeling is that we should teach our bodies to resist harmful bacteria through natural exposure, at times we must be more careful than that.
For something to be anti-bacterial it must be harmful to at least one part of our natural world – bacteria. So can anti-bacterial cleaning ever be Eco friendly?
Ordinarily the anti-bacterial and ‘germ busting’ cleaning concoctions tend to dominate at the ‘standard’ end of the cleaning product aisle, coming from brands we have known since childhood. But as more and more consumers turn towards environmentally friendly cleaners, there is more demand for the full spectrum of green cleaners. Eco cleaning products to tackle every job, and with every degree of power. The increase in the number of local government bodies and corporate entities also hoping to increase their green credentials has provided a further stimulus to manufacturers to come up with heavy duty but environmentally friendly cleaners.
Can you Make Anti-bacterial Cleaning Eco Friendly?
Well lots of very safe cleaners made from vinegar or lemon juice are anti-bacterial to a degree. Most natural organisms are not huge fans of acidic conditions. So even a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth and white vinegar will have some anti-bacterial effect. But, because vinegar is not a licensed green cleaning product we are unable to actively promote its abilities as such.
So although, vinegar and lemon juice or even salt are mild anti-bacterial cleaning agents, they are only suitable for home use. In a business or health-care environment, the power of cleaners will really need to be documented and proven. But, even there anti-bacterial can be Eco friendly. I’ve been looking at Green Antibacterial Cleaners and there is a very wide range of ‘greeness’ so be careful if looking to buy one yourself.
Eco Disinfectant – Click for Full Range
Green Cleaning Anti-Bacterial Reviews
There are several big anti-bacterial disinfectants or cleaners claiming to be Eco friendly. As anti-bacterial cleaning in theory is not as Eco friendly as maybe cleaning should be, there are only a limited number of truly antibacterial products which claim to be Eco friendly too, available. I’ve chosen a few from the UK and US for different situations. These four are the best I could find.
UK Commercial Anti-Bacterial Green Cleaner
In the United Kingdom Activ8 are supplying disinfectant in bulk and promote their use in hospitals and other particularly vulnerable areas. Activ8 claim
Independently tested against MRSA, Noro Virus, Avian Flu, Clostridium, Difficile, Hepatitis B and C .
Which really could make them useful in the health-care environment. The products are 100% bio-degradable, but maybe not as ‘all natural’ as we would like. Minerals and alcohol dominate the ingredients list. But, with even concentrated amounts being safe for wildlife and generally us too. It is definitely a step in the right direction. All the ingredients are safe as per EU hazardous substances guidelines and the product only poses minor risk with prolonged contact (skin irritation).
UK Home Anti-Bacterial Green Cleaner
Bio-D Disinfectant seems like a safer cleaning product for home use. Based on water, eucalyptus, Amphoteric Surfactant and Non-Ionic Surfactant. There is little of concern in the ingredients list. Amphoteric Surfactants are some of the mildest surfactants you will find, making them very mild on skin. While the non-ionic versions are tough degreasers, meaning the product should be effective for tough floors. The company claim:
A versatile, concentrated, general purpose disinfectant.
For me, this is a winner for home-use. It isn’t aiming to annihilate every virus or bacteria known to man, so shouldn’t be such a menace in helping to create super-bugs. But, at home if you really like to clean anti-bacterial, this product will provide a much greener way of cleaning than your conventional bleach or strong disinfectant.
US Commercial Anti-Bacterial Green Cleaner
Green Concepts in the United States have another alcohol based product, their ‘Neutrol Disinfectant Cleaner’, which they claim:
kills MRSA, VRE, Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens; it is mildewstatic, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal. NDC cleans, disinfects and deodorizes in one step, helps fight cross contamination and has been proven effective against HIV-1, HIV-2, HBV and HCV
However, once again this is not green as we would think of green – no flowery plant derived ingredients, and it is alcohol so not 100% safe to have around the house. However, in a health-care environment where products must be economical and very effective this is much better than a bleach based alternative. Although an improvement over using bleach this product does not claim to be 100% biodegradable or safe to come into contact with.
US Home Anti-Bacterial Green Cleaner
In the United States the best anti-bacterial disinfectant which is also and Eco cleaner has to be PureGreen24. The claims for PureGreen24 make for good news for the germ fearful:
PureGreen24 kills super-bugs and everyday household germs. PureGreen24 is EPA registered, broad spectrum disinfectant, that also offers a unique 24 hour residual effectiveness. PureGreen24 has the lowest toxicity rating assigned by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. EPA IV toxicity rating! PureGreen24 is non-corrosive, non-flammable and has no fumes or skin irritation associated with other disinfectants.
Based on silver ions, water and citric acid the manufacturing process claims to produce NO waste or byproducts! One thing which really struck me about the PureGreen24 option is that the company website is so very informative. Rather like the Seventh Generation site, these guys seem only too willing to share all the information with you, and in a way which makes it easy to find.
Those products with less favorable safety reports and so on seem to make them inordinately difficult to locate.
The products listed above are all a more safe cleaner than the traditional bleaches and disinfectants. All are much healthier to be using, especially for those who have to use them repeatedly for work. Exposure to these safe cleaners is much less of a risk to health. Similarly they all have much less of an impact on waste water or the environment at large.
Is Anti-Bacterial Cleaning Eco Friendly?
Sorry to those of you who really do not feel entirely clean until you are sure there is no germ in your home, but I still do not think that kind of approach can ever be cleaning Eco friendly.
However, if that is your way, or you have a health issue which makes it your way, at least choosing one of these greener disinfectants is an improvement. Anti-bacterial cleaning won’t really be truly making cleaning Eco friendly (you are after all trying to destroy a little bacterial part of the environment). The over-use of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal disinfectants will make those organisms which do survive, tougher and more dangerous for future generations. So, whenever and wherever possible I would opt out of the whole anti-bacterial cleaning option. BUT I see using at least a greener option as an improvement. So as you try to wean yourself off the bleach and disinfectant habit, go for a greener cleaner alternative. Using a Safe cleaner which is a disinfectant is definitely better than a conventional product.
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