Blog / For your health

What’s in Conventional Cleaning Products—and Safer Alternatives You Should Know

5 minute read

When it comes to cleaning products, we often rely on what we’ve used our entire lives or what’s available at the store. But have you ever asked yourself: What are conventional cleaning products really made of? And more importantly, why should we care?

The truth is that the ingredients in the products we use to clean our homes can be far more important than the shine they leave on a countertop. These ingredients can affect the air we breathe, the people and pets we care for, and the balance of aquatic ecosystems.

Hidden Ingredients in Plain Sight

Many conventional cleaning products are formulated with synthetic ingredients derived from petroleum and other aggressive chemical substances. Some of the most common include:

  • Synthetic fragrances: Used to create a “clean” smell, but may contain phthalates, known to disrupt the endocrine system.
  • Preservatives like CMIT: Linked to skin irritation, respiratory problems, and allergies.
  • Ammonia and bleach (chlorine): Effective for disinfecting, but highly irritating and dangerous when mixed.
  • Surfactants that do not break down easily in the environment: Can harm aquatic ecosystems when they reach rivers and oceans.

Many of these ingredients aren’t even clearly listed on product labels, leaving consumers unaware of what’s actually in their cleaning products.

Why Should This Matter to You?

  1. Your Well-Being

Frequent use of cleaning products with aggressive ingredients has been linked to asthma, allergies, skin irritation, and hormonal disruption. If you have young children, pets, or sensitive individuals in your household, the risks increase.

  1. Your Home

Ironically, many products meant to “clean” can actually pollute your indoor air. And unlike outdoor air, indoor air doesn’t circulate as easily—meaning those chemical compounds can linger much longer.

  1. Our Planet

When you rinse the sink or pour out your bucket of used cleaning water, chemical residues flow into the sewage system and eventually reach rivers and oceans, although most household wastewater typically goes through a municipal wastewater treatment plant first. Some of these ingredients are toxic to marine life and can build up in the food chain.

What Does ECOS Do to Make a Difference?

At ECOS, we develop cleaning products with formulas that prioritize people, pets, and the planet. Instead of using harmful chemicals, we choose safer, effective alternatives that break down easily:

  1. Instead of synthetic fragrances with phthalates

We use pure essential oils such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, or geranium in several of our products.
📍 Found in: several of our products like all-purpose cleaners or dish soaps
✨ Why it’s better: They are milder for sensitive individuals and don’t contain endocrine disruptors. Ideal for delicate skin.
👉 Example: ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent Lavender

  1. Instead of preservatives

We use citric acid, which helps preserve the product without causing irritation or allergies.
📍 Found in: dilutable cleaners, surface sprays, and hand soap
✨ Why it’s better: Reduces the risk of allergic reactions or skin irritation.
👉 Example: ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner Orange

  1. Instead of ammonia or bleach

We use ingredients like lactic acid, plant-derived vinegar, or sodium citrate, which clean effectively without harming your airways.
📍 Found in: chlorine-free disinfectants, bathroom and kitchen cleaners
✨ Why it’s better: Cleans without releasing harsh fumes and poses less risk around children and pets.
👉 Example: ECOS Bathroom Cleaner

  1. Instead of surfactants that do not readily break down

We use coconut- and sugar-derived surfactants.
📍 Found in: laundry detergents, dish soaps, floor cleaners
✨ Why it’s better: Breaks down quickly in the environment, without leaving harmful residues. Gentle on hands, and better for water and aquatic life.
👉 Example: ECOS Foaming Dish Soap – Lemon

🏡 Because Cleaning Your Home Shouldn’t Put What You Love at Risk

Choosing products with safer ingredients means:

✔️ Fewer chemical residues in the air you breathe
✔️ Lower risk of irritation or allergic reactions
✔️ Greater peace of mind for your family and pets

🌎 ECOS: For a Cleaner Kind of Clean

Our products are made with plant-powered formulas, manufactured in climate positive facilities powered by 100% renewable energy in the US, and designed to avoid hazardous waste. Because we believe that caring for your home and caring for the planet should go hand in hand.

With ECOS, you clean with purpose.

Knowledge is power. By understanding what conventional cleaning products contain—and how ECOS offers a more thoughtful, responsible alternative—you can make better choices for your home and for the world we share.

Because cleaning your home shouldn’t mean polluting the planet.

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