Sparkle. Sparkle. Sparkle. It's what cleaning companies know you want from their products, and they promote it with as much pizazz as they can. But looks aren't everything. While we all enjoy the sparkle, we want to know if a product is actually cleaning, and, even more important, removing the harmful things we can't see.

 

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Cleaning is the removal of unwanted matter, including dirt, germs and toxic substances. So when selecting a cleaning product, we want to know if it removes unwanted matter – both what we can see and what we can't. We also want to know if a product is actually doing the opposite by adding toxic substances, or if it is simply moving the unwanted matter rather than removing it.

Let's face it. Marketers for cleaning companies aren't going to tell you if their product isn't actually cleaning. Therefore, it will take a little research and deduction to determine the effectiveness of a product. Below we'll consider ways to tell how effective a product is, as well as how ease of use, durability, and value should also affect your choice.

Effectiveness

It will be obvious if a product is not removing visible dirt. However, many cleaning products leave chemical or other residues behind, which can attract dirt and bacteria right back to the spot you cleaned. Therefore, when selecting a product, choose a product that doesn't leave much residue. How can you tell? Try it out on a clear pane of glass. If it leaves a haze when following manufacturer's directions, it's leaving residue.

Does the product kill germs? One simple way to know is to examine the labeling on a product. In the U.S. for instance, for a product to use the word “disinfectant” it must meet specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. The EPA defines “disinfectant” as a chemical agent capable of destroying or permanently deactivating microorganisms, many of which are capable of causing infections. Therefore, for a product to be EPA registered as a disinfectant, it must demonstrate effectiveness against specific germs.

However, just because a product is EPA registered as a disinfectant or sanitizer (“sanitizer” is a slightly lower standard of germ kill) that doesn't guarantee it's removing or killing germs. How you use these products is key to helping ensure you protect yourself and your family from germs. Follow the label instructions. Often, a solution needs to sit on a surface for a certain amount of time to kill all the germs. You must also consider if the disinfectant is actually reaching the bacteria or viruses you want to kill. Bacteria can form protective biofilms – a slimy, protective coating that bacteria colonies create – in which they can survive even long term exposure to disinfectant. Bacteria can form protective biofilms – a slimy, protective coating that bacteria colonies create – in which they can survive even long term exposure to disinfectant.The key to overcoming biofilm is agitation or abrasive action, or in layman's terms – scrubbing. This is why tools such as microfiber cloths are useful. They have an aggressive texture and greater surface area to both attract and trap dirt and germs. For the same reason, toilet bowl brushes are often still essential to cleaning any commode. They scrub to remove or break up the biofilm, so when disinfectant is applied, it kills the germs.

On the other side of the coin, just because a product isn't a disinfectant or sanitizer doesn't mean it can't effectively remove germs. Germs thrive in moist environments and feed on organic matter. Therefore, when you remove dirt (which is partly organic matter) and moisture from a surface, you're also removing bacteria and its food source – preventing its return. If you use the right tools with the right technique, you can remove a lot of germs without harsh chemicals.

Ease of Use

Sure, you can scrub a surface to death and remove a lot of dirt and germs, but what's the point of using a cleaning product if it doesn't make cleaning easier? That's why it's important to consider if a product makes cleaning easier – or more troublesome. For instance, you might consider the ergonomics of a product. Does using a certain cleaning product/tool put extra strain on your body? You might also consider if it reduces the time it takes to clean or if it complicates the cleaning process. A product may be a nifty new piece of technology, but it's not worth it if it makes cleaning more difficult.

Durability

This is especially important when considering major cleaning appliances, such as steamers, vacuums, and carpet cleaners. However, it can still be an inconvenience even if just a simple spray bottle breaks, so durability matters no matter the cleaning tool. If possible, before buying a product, double check for flimsy parts that may be prone to breakage. Will the product stand up to a drop test? (Best to ask the salesperson before leaving the store and don’t try this yourself.)

Also, look at the manufacturer's warranty to ensure that, if your product does break, it can be repaired or replaced without additional cost. Check too how long the product is designed to last; for example, how many washes a microfiber cloth is designed to hold up under.

Value

While we all value a clean, healthy home, most of us don't have the money to spend willy-nilly on cleaning products. One way to save is to use concentrated products that can be diluted for use. Concentrated products will often enable you to clean with less solution, less expense, and with lower packaging and transportation costs. Concentrated products will often enable you to clean with less solution, less expense, and with lower packaging and transportation costs.

Also, buy in bulk or buy products that can be cheaply refilled. For instance, if you can, reuse your spray bottles and refill from a larger bulk container. (If you plan to use different cleaning solution, be careful to rinse your spray bottles well to avoid unintended chemical mixing.)

Lastly, using less product (the least amount that will do the job) will stretch your cleaning dollars, may reduce residues, and will perhaps be easier on you and the environment. One way to use less solution is to not spray it on the surface, but to apply it sparingly and directly to the cloth then wipe.

Overall

Despite the lure of the sparkle – the ultimate question is “does it clean?” Consider the principles discussed to evaluate a product objectively to see if it really is removing unwanted matter and meeting other practical criteria. If you do this, not only will your home sparkle economically, but it will also be healthier – achieving the most important goal of cleaning.

 

 

About IEHA

The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) is a 3,200-plus member organization for housekeeping management. Executive housekeepers are managers that direct housekeeping programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities, including upscale hotels, hospitals, schools, and other public places. The non-profit was founded in 1930 in New York City, and is now located in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of the state’s capitol.