You Asked, We Answer: Do Eco-Conscious Cleaners Work As Well As Traditional Cleaners? Find Out!

Take steps toward a healthier planet this Earth month by choosing eco-conscious for your facility

State and local governments have been pushing for organizations to use eco-conscious products. In fact, 76% of U.S. states have an environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) policy, and of these states, 90% were enacted in the last 15 years. Despite this, eco-conscious cleaning product adoption lags. In fact, while three out of four cleaning professionals agree that eco-conscious cleaners and disinfectants are important to use, 67% still have uncertainties about making the switch. A common misconception is that eco-conscious cleaners and disinfectants are less effective and efficient than traditional cleaners.

Research proves that an eco-conscious disinfectant kills germs as effectively as traditional products

Trusted certifications, such as EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) require product manufacturers to prove that their products are as effective as traditional products in addition to meeting stringent criteria for efficacy and effects on human health and the environment. We wanted to prove the disinfecting efficacy of the DfE-certified, lactic acid-based disinfectant Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner against several traditional disinfectant actives: sodium hypochlorite (bleach), quaternary ammonium chloride (quat), and hydrogen peroxide. We tested each product against 6 viruses (SARS-CoV-2, Norovirus, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Hepatitis B virus) and 4 bacteria (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus). We followed EPA testing requirements for determining microbicidal efficacy against each bacterium and virus and determined how much time was required to kill 99.9% of the viruses and bacteria tested.

Here’s what we found: The Clorox EcoClean™ lactic-acid based disinfectant effectively killed 99.9% – viruses and bacteria in under 2 minutes, including the harder to kill pathogens norovirus and rhinovirus. Overall, when following the directions for use and contact time, EPA DfE-certified disinfectants are effective.

Making eco-conscious choices benefits people today

People often emphasize the reduced impact on the environment when talking about eco-conscious products. But eco-conscious products can also provide immediate benefits to the people that use them.

• For janitors: Eco-conscious products are often made with no dyes, fragrances, and don’t require PPE to use.
• For building occupants: Eco-conscious products work just as well as traditional products but often have fewer odors or irritating smells.
• For your bottom line: Ready-to-use, eco-conscious products with fast contact times can actually save facilities time and, in a separate study, could save up to $1 per classroom versus traditional concentrates. Fast, ready-to-use products save time on mixing and disinfecting.

There has never been a better time to switch to an eco-conscious product

With so many effective options now available, there’s no time like this Earth Month to make the change to an eco-conscious product to benefit your facility. Learn more about CloroxPro’s commitment to sustainability