SDA Unveils CleaningProductFacts.com

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) has launched CleaningProductFacts.com, giving consumers a new online resource for information on the safety and effectiveness of household cleaning products.  

“CleaningProductFacts.com consolidates much of the science-based information on cleaning products that has been SDA’s hallmark for more than 80 years,” said Brian Sansoni, SDA vice president of communication.   

CleaningProductFacts.com contains updated, fact-based information on how cleaning products are formulated, used and disposed of safely.

“Over the years, cleaning product manufacturers have adapted and innovated, introducing new and better products, technologies and ingredients, reducing their environmental footprint while enhancing health and the quality of life,” said Mr. Sansoni.

“The fact is cleaning products are safely and effectively used by millions of people in homes, offices, hospitals, day care centers, and other institutions every single day. Today’s consumers have more choices than ever before when it comes to cleaning products that meet their needs.”

The benefit of having a site like CleaningProductFacts.com is more critical than ever, given the flood of misinformation and often irresponsible, broad-based attacks that pop up in books and on TV, like the new book on “green cleaning” by Deirdre Imus, said Mr. Sansoni.

“We believe the public benefits by learning cleaning product facts, rather than cleaning product fears,” said Sansoni.  

“What is regrettable is the fear mongering that is taking place in publicity materials surrounding Mrs. Imus’ book on ‘green cleaning.’   We believe that casually throwing around words like ‘toxic’ and ‘dangerous’ without proper context can only serve to misinform consumers and potentially discourage the proper and safe use of cleaning products.  Such broad derogatory inferences are unwarranted, given the decades of product stewardship by the cleaning products industry.”   

Safety is a top priority from the time a new product is developed and continues as long as the product is in the marketplace, according to SDA.  Existing cleaning products are evaluated for safety by talking with consumers, reviewing scientific developments and monitoring product use data that may affect the safety assessment process.
To assure that products are safe for the environment, manufacturers evaluate the impacts of product ingredients in wastewater treatment systems, streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries. Scientific principles that are widely recognized by the technical and regulatory communities are used to assess the risk to the environment of these impacts.