The Truth About Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
There's a misconception in cleaning that "stronger" means "better." The reality is that many of the harshest chemical cleaners persist on surfaces, release fumes into your home's air, and get absorbed through skin contact — all without cleaning any more effectively than gentler alternatives when used correctly.
At Simply Done Cleaning, we made the shift to eco-friendly professional products years ago. Here's what we actually use, why we chose them, and what they mean for your home and family.
Why Conventional Cleaning Products Have Problems
Standard commercial cleaning products often contain chemicals that cause concern for indoor air quality and health:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — released as gases from many conventional cleaners, they contribute to poor indoor air quality and can trigger respiratory irritation
- Synthetic fragrances — often a mixture of undisclosed chemical compounds, linked to headaches and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Phosphates — effective cleaners but harmful to aquatic ecosystems when they enter waterways
- Bleach overuse — effective disinfectant but corrosive, produces chlorine gas when mixed with common household chemicals, and harsh on surfaces when used too frequently
In a household with children, pets, elderly family members, or anyone with respiratory sensitivities, these concerns are amplified.
What We Actually Use
Our cleaning products are selected based on three criteria: effectiveness at a professional level, safety for occupants and pets, and environmental impact during and after use.
- Plant-based multi-surface cleaners — derived from natural surfactants, effective on most household surfaces without leaving chemical residue
- White vinegar solutions — for glass, mirrors, descaling, and general disinfecting. Naturally antimicrobial, leaves no residue, and rinses clean
- Baking soda — for scrubbing, deodorizing, and tackling mild abrasive tasks without scratching surfaces
- Enzymatic cleaners — specifically for biological waste: pet accidents, food spills, and anywhere odour control matters. These break down the source of odour rather than masking it
- Certified green disinfectants — for bathrooms and high-touch surfaces where effective sanitation matters
- Fragrance-free or naturally scented formulas — we avoid synthetic fragrance across the board
What This Means for Your Family
When we leave your home, surfaces are clean — not coated with chemical residue that your children and pets then contact. The air in your home isn't carrying fumes from heavy industrial cleaners. If someone in your household has asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities, this matters in a tangible way.
We also use microfibre cloths rather than single-use paper products. Microfibre picks up bacteria and particles more effectively than cotton cloths, requires less chemical product to clean effectively, and gets laundered between clients rather than discarded.
Eco-Friendly Doesn't Mean Less Clean
This is the concern we hear most often, and it's understandable. Plant-based products have a reputation for being gentle to the point of ineffective. That reputation is outdated. Professional-grade eco-friendly products clean just as effectively as conventional alternatives — the difference is in what they leave behind, not in what they remove.
We've been cleaning homes in Grande Prairie with these products for years. Our clients notice the clean. What they also notice — especially those who've switched from other providers — is the absence of that harsh chemical smell after a clean.
A Small Choice with Cumulative Impact
No single cleaning visit makes or breaks the environment. But every product choice, made consistently across hundreds of home visits, adds up. We think that matters. And we think you deserve to know exactly what's being used in your home.
If you have specific sensitivities or product preferences, let us know when you book. We'll work with whatever your household needs. Call us at 780-831-8950 and we'll make sure your clean is done right — for your family and your home.