How much do you think about the cleaning products you use? If you manage a property, the chances are good that you think about them quite often. After all, it’s your job to make sure the property is clean and presentable for tenants, guests, and owners. From keeping your onsite office tidy to managing turnovers to just wanting to pass health-consciousness on to residents, cleaning is an important part of property management — and so are the products you use.
So, what about the safety of those products? Sure, they might get the job done, but at what cost?
Many cleaning products on the market today are loaded with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health. PFAs, which are man-made “forever” chemicals used in the production of consumer goods, are just one example of some of the harmful things you might find in your everyday household products. Those toxic chemicals can also end up in the air and water, causing even more harm to the environment.
Most experts agree one thing: just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Though we’d like to be able to trust consumer product safety, there are just too many instances of violation to really be certain, especially when some would argue US product safety guidelines are already too loose across the board.
As a property manager, it’s important to be conscious of the products you’re using. Over the last few years, loads of apps like Think Dirty have been developed so that the average consumer can double-check the safety of their favorite products. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is also an incredible resource for up-to-date research on common toxins and the safety of products in almost any sector you can think of — from food to cosmetics to, you guessed it, cleaning products.
So, what’s a health-conscious property manager to do?
Well, simply put — check the ingredients!
Ingredients to Avoid
Bleach
Formaldehyde
Paraben
Sodium laureth sulfate
Tetrachloroethylene
Diethanolamine
Ammonia
2-Butoxyethanol
Sodium hydroxide
Chlorine
Propylene glycol
Triethanolamine
Triclosan
Ethanolamine
Phosphates
Sodium hypochlorite
Coal tar
1,4-Dioxane
You might notice these ingredients appearing in your cabinet far more than you expected, and even this list is just the beginning. Don’t feel too intimidated, though, because we’ve put together a list of nontoxic cleaning brands you can use as replacements while you kickstart your research!
Nontoxic Brands
It’s time to take responsibility for the products we consume — if not for our own health, for the potential environmental consequences down the road. As a property manager, you have the power to make a difference in the lives of your residents, staff, and visitors. The next time you’re stocking up on cleaning supplies, take a quick glance at the ingredients list and do some research to find a healthier, more sustainable option for you and your property.
