I was asked to do a review on Simple Green products. I have chosen the most popular/best-selling product they have for this review which is their Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
First let me say that I have no personal use experience with this product so I cannot attest to the effectiveness of it. The main purpose of this review is to evaluate the ingredients for safety and health hazards.
Let’s start by reading what the makers have to say about their product…..
“The makers of Simple Green have spent over $3 million to verify the safety claims and unique formulation. Concentrated Simple Green had it right from the start. An environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleaner/degreaser that really works and can be economically custom-diluted for many, many different uses. From floors and walls to pots and pans, from windows to sinks and drains, even greasy tools, it only takes a little Simple Green to get big jobs done around the house.
Simple Green is one of the most versatile all-purpose cleaners you can buy! It’s non-toxic and biodegradable, without harmful bleach. Because it is a concentrate, you can custom dilute Simple Green to clean just about anything dirty. It replaces most cleaners, detergents, degreasers and laundry pre-soaks you’re using now!
In my humble opinion, the makers of Simple Green should be sued for fraud and false advertising based on the statements in green above. Alright maybe not so humble.
With the first glance at the product, you can see that there is artificial colorants added. If you smell the product, you can tell there is fragrance added, both of which are listed as “proprietary” ingredients on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). I find interesting that the health hazard listed on the MSDS is 1 – slight hazard, this would be comparable to some natural products that can cause minimal irritation. The MSDS also states the product contains no known carcinogens. However, after looking at the first ingredient listed after water, I find 2‐butoxyethanol. While this product contains less than 5% of this ingredient, it is by no means non-toxic. This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. According to the Hazardous Substance Fact sheet, 2-butoxyethanol is listed as a level 3 – serious health hazard and is listed as a carcinogen. The fact sheet states there may be no safe levels of carcinogens and the limites of exposure are based on air levels only. When skin contact occurs, you may be overexposed. It is also listed as a Reproductive Hazard and may damage liver and kidneys. This product also has a low boiling point and is listed as emitting VOCs.
Sorry Simple Green but the only thing “Green” about your product is its artificial color!
Simple Green has launched a new product line called Naturals and they are certified by Green Seal. Obviously the product above does not qualify for this certification. I may at a later date do some more research on their new product line and post a review, but at a quick glance I realized they use synthetic fragance along with essentials oil – for me that’s a thumbs down on any “Natural” product.
