Are ‘Natural’ Cleaning Products Really Better for Your Health?

Natural products “reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals and provide complete transparency about their ingredients,” says Samara Geller, the senior director of cleaning science at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in San Francisco.

They tend to be formulated with plant-based or biodegradable ingredients, which are less likely to cause severe harmful effects than conventional cleaners, Dr. Bascoul says.

But the category can be vague and confusing, so consumers must be savvy to ensure the products they’re purchasing truly are safer.

“Essentially, they’re marketing terms,” Geller says. “Many so-called ‘natural’ products still contain hazardous chemicals and undisclosed ingredients.”

So how can you know if what you’re buying really is healthier?

“Consumers should focus on the ingredients they contain,” Geller says. That can be a time-consuming process, so Geller recommends checking for a third-party certification, such as EWG’s Verified Cleaning Products, the EPA’s Safer Choice, Green Seal (from the organization Green Seal), or Ecologo from UL Solutions on the packaging.

Manufacturers voluntarily pitch their product to these organizations and can use the logo if approved after the product and its ingredients are reviewed.

Those labels indicate the product contains chemical ingredients that are healthier for humans and the environment and there’s more ingredient transparency (each organization determines the standards for those labels). For instance, to get the EPA’s Safer Choice label, a manufacturer has to disclose all ingredients in the product; and the formulations must meet EPA standards for safe thresholds of certain ingredients.

“These can be helpful in distinguishing between healthier products and marketing hype,” Geller says.

While you’re checking product labels, look for products that are fragrance free.