Top 5 list of cleaning products to be avoided!

Swiss seem to have an intrinsic obligation for cleaning: their home sweet home must always look as "tidy as can be". In fact, more than 15 kg of household products are consumed per capita in Switzerland each year, meaning that an average inhabitant will spend about CHF 100.– for cleaning purposes only. A lot of money that unfortunately contributes as much to environmental pollution by allowing many non-biodegradable substances to spill into rivers and groundwater, as it does to deteriorate our health due to the harmful elements most of these products contain. 

According to a study conducted by Ineris, the French National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks, 91% of the cleaning products tested contain not only formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound that is carcinogenic, but phosphates as well, bleaching elements, preservatives and synthetic fragrances... A whole chemical arsenal very difficult to identify, as pointed out in October 2019 by the well-known Swiss TV program “A Bon Entendeur” in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, dedicated to carrying out research and testing in the consumers’ interest and which commented on the dangers of cleaning products as follows: "Contrary to cosmetics, the law does not require detergent manufacturers to list on the labels all the ingredients their products are made of. Consumer information is therefore quite often incomplete. However, some of these ingredients have detrimental effects on the environment. An industrial fragrance, dye or biocide can also cause allergic reactions and even respiratory problems. 

Not at all easy to find one’s way through this jungle of labels and pictograms showing toxicity or flammability details. Even organic or sustainable products can have labels that should make you think twice before you start cleaning, as they are likely to contain harmful substances, such as industrial fragrances or bleaching compounds. 

With aquama®, the innovative, sustainable, and totally natural disinfection and cleaning solution based on electrified water and salt, there is absolutely no risk! aquama® is 100% biodegradable and allergen-free. It is highly efficient and will replace up to 90% of conventional household products, while reducing your household-cleaning expenses by 80%. It also saves tons of water because it does not need to foam first nor to be rinsed afterwards. 

Ban the following 5 products: 

1. Bathroom detergents 

What are they used for? 

The bathroom is probably the one and only place in every single household where hygiene is an absolute must! No limestone nor the slightest smudge must show on the bathtub nor anywhere else, all taps and fittings are to twinkle like stars in the sky ... So clean that you could eat right off the floor!

What are the risks one may encounter? 

Some specific bathroom detergents are full of harmful substances as they must target dirt, grease, limestone, and bacteria all at once! 

Thus, they contain hydrochloric, sulphuric, and phosphoric acids, additives such as dyes, thickeners, and synthetic fragrances. They can cause skin burns, irritation of the lungs, eyes, and mucous membranes. 

What is the healthy alternative? 

aquama®, the new cleaning solution, best used with a microfiber cloth, is your perfect cleaning aid for all surfaces in your bathroom that are not water-sensitive such asthe shower, WC, bathtub, and any other object that must be perfectly sanitized. No need to worry if aquama® liquid gets into the drain as it is 100% natural and biodegradable, therefore safe for the environment. However, aquama® not being a limestone remover, a small shot of white vinegar from time to time will do the trick for perfect cleaning. 

2. WC cleaners 

What are they used for? 

Toilets need frequent cleaning and disinfection to prevent germs from spreading.

What are the risks one may encounter? 

Toilet cleaning gels contain surfactant compounds, hydrochloric, sulphuric, and phosphoric acids to dissolve limestone and many other additives to make them less liquid, look very colourful and give them a good smell. Again, they are most likely to expose humans to skin burns, allergies, and respiratory problems. 

What is the healthy alternative? 

aquama® is as effective in the bathroom as it is on all other household surfaces that require regular cleaning, due to its great disinfection power. As a totally natural cleaning solution, aquama® meets all European bactericides, fungicides and virucides standards. Its sanitizing power can be enhanced by activating it one, two or three times. The aquama® solution is slightly chlorinated due to its natural compounds and makes everything at home "smell clean"!

3. Window sprays 

What are they used for? 

Removing fingerprint smudges on the inside of windows and water droplet stains on the outside... These easy-to-use sprays seem to be the ideal solution for cleaning windows. 

What are the risks one may encounter? 

Most of these products contain alcohol and ammonia. The latter substance is highly dangerous as it is corrosive to lungs and can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. 

What is the healthy alternative? 

aquama®, either diluted fifty-fifty with water and directly sprayed onto the windows, or pure to soak a microfiber cloth, is perfect for cleaning windows, due to its detergent and degreasing power. 

4. Oven grease removers 

What are they used for? 

When cleaning stubborn grease stains, charred food residues difficult to get rid of and hard to access in the oven, one often resorts to sprays which foam a lot to dissolve the dirt. 

What are the risks one may encounter? 

These products usually contain soda, carbonate or potassium hydroxide and can cause serious eye and skin problems as well as irritation of the mucous membranes and lungs. If swallowed, they can even be lethal. 

What is the healthy alternative? 

aquama®, the new detergent, degreasing and sanitizing solution is perfect for cleaning baking sheets, greasy ovens, or dirty cooking hoods. Spray generously, let it soak a bit and then wipe the whole lot away with a sponge… as easy as pie! 

5. Floor cleaners 

What are they used for? 

Floors are in constant use and are as such the obvious place where, for example, kitchen splashes, cat hair or mud marks tend to end up on, and they therefore require the utmost attention when it comes to household cleanliness. 

What are the risks one may encounter? 

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, a petrochemical surfactant compound, is often used in this type of floor cleaning products. It is at risk of respiratory irritation and allergies due to direct air pollution. 

What is the healthy alternative? 

aquama® can be used on any type of floor, from linoleum to parquet, tiles, or carpets, either with a mop or any other cloth, either pure or diluted in water. As it is of totally natural origin and does not contain any allergens, there is no risk whatsoever of damaging the floor or causing any harm to the lungs of your favourite pet.