Buying safer cleaners

To learn which products are safe for your family and which products are hazardous, look at the label. Most products that pose immediate hazards are required by law to have signal words such as DANGER, WARNING and/or CAUTION.

Products with the Safer Choice label are EPA tested and certified to have safe ingredients. Green Seal and Ecologo certifications can also help identify safer cleaning products.

Products with no signal words, like the one shown here, are safer than products with signal words. This product doesn't say WARNING, DANGER, POISON, or CAUTION on its label.

Products that have a label that reads CAUTION are somewhat harmful and should be used with care. Follow directions on the label for proper use.

Avoid products with a WARNING, DANGER, or POISON label like the product labeled WARNING shown here. These products are the most harmful for you, children and pets.

Avoid products with a WARNING, DANGER, or POISON label like the product labeled DANGER shown here. These products are the most harmful for you, children and pets.

When deciding which cleaner to use in your home or workplace, look for the signal word on the product label. Signal words help to show the hazards associated with cleaning products and can be used by shoppers to find the least toxic products. The signal words found on cleaning products are DANGER, POISON, WARNING and CAUTION.

Products labeled DANGER, POISON and WARNING are hazardous to people, pets, or the environment. Products with no signal word or those labeled CAUTION are a safer alternative.

When choosing products, look for certification labels on the front or back which certify the least harmful products. Metro recommends products with the Safer Choice, which is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the Green Seal or Ecologo certification.

Not all cleaning or disinfecting products are submitted for certification, when in doubt, stick to products with no signal words or those labeled CAUTION. Alternatively, you can make non-toxic cleaners at home with safer ingredients.

Always check the label to see if you need to wear protection for your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin and use as directed. In case of an emergency, call the Oregon Poison Center helpline at 800-222-1222.

Take unused cleaning products and other household hazardous waste to a hazardous waste facility or a neighborhood collection event.

Learn more about common hazardous wastes

Get assistance from Recycling and Sustainability specialists in your area.

Learn more about waste prevention at work