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The ingredients in your cleaning products fall into several different categories, added to provide different characteristics and cleaning functions. Each product formula is a careful balance of various ingredients that will work best for what you are trying to clean.For more information about the specific ingredients in a cleaning product, visit the manufacturer's website or look for the…
Understand the language of soaps and detergents.
ALCOHOL: A class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups. The alcohols used in light duty and liquid laundry detergents are isopropanol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). These alcohols are used at low levels in liquid detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients, and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures encountered in shipping,…
Ingredient labels contain a lot of information. They have a list of ingredients, but they also need room for directions and important safety messages. Smart consumers can get additional information from company websites to find out more about those ingredients, including where they are sourced and the role they play in making that product effective. Learn more about the formulations in your favorite soaps and home cleaning products…
The American Cleaning Institute is listening to families and communities who want to know more about the ingredients in their cleaning products.
For moms and dads who want to know more than ever before about the products they use, SmartLabel is the digital shopping tool/app that gives access to timely updates on products across more store aisles and with more information than could ever fit standard labels. It’s the trusted information you’re…
What do cleaning ingredients do?
The industry is committed to helping you understand what ingredients are in your cleaning products and why they are there so that you can make informed buying decisions. These ingredient function definitions have been developed through validated consumer research to provide standardized industry language that helps demystify the ingredient list and empower consumer …
Cleaning product labels contain more information than ever before. Whatever you want to know about a product can likely be found either printed on the label or by following a link or QR code to additional details online. It is important to read the information on the label before using a product because there are instructions and safety messages to ensure safe and effective use. From directions to ingredients, our resources will help you understand more about…
Are cleaning products safe?
OverviewBy following label instructions and recommended safety practices, families can confidently and safely use cleaning products in their homes and communities.Modern cleaning products undergo scientific testing and are subject to regulatory oversight, helping to substantiate their safety when used as directed. In fact, proper usage of cleaning products can promote wellness by…
The use of the terms "natural" and "synthetic" to describe cleaning products has led to some confusion among consumers. The best advice is to avoid making assumptions about safety or performance based on a "natural" label alone.
What do the terms "synthetic" and "natural" really mean…
OverviewQuaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are a class of disinfectant ingredients commonly used in household, healthcare, and commercial cleaning products. They are effective against a broad range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2. QQuat-based disinfectants are rigorously tested, regulated, and considered safe and effective for helping protect public health wwhen used according to label directions.Key TakeawaysQuats are EPA-…
Cleaning products play an essential role in daily life. They can remove dirt and stains from our clothes, dried on food from our dishes, and even germs from our hands! Let’s learn more about the chemistry that makes this happen.
What Is Cleaning?
Cleaning is the process of taking something dirty—like your kitchen counter—and removing dirt, grease, and grime found on it. When we clean, we leave things better than they were…