Term

What it Means

The Bottom Line

Bio-Degradable

The product will break down overtime into harmless materials.

Doesn't mean the product is safefor the environment unless the manufacturer says how long it will takeit to biodegrade.  The sooner, the better.

Chlorine-Free

Contains no chlorine, a toxicchemical responsible for more household poisonings annually then anyother and a cause of ozone depletion.

Opt for chlorine-free versions ofall cleaners and stop cleaning with chlorine bleach, for your healthand the environment's.

Nontoxic

Only a very large amount will causedamage.

Use of the term isn't regulated, sochoose products from manufacturers that indicate in what way productsare nontoxic ("non-toxic if inhaled," for example).

Oxygenated

Helps whiten and brighten byreleasing oxygen, which breaks up stains and eliminates mildew.

Safer than chlorinebleach.  Oxygenated products may not work as quickly aschlorine-based products, but they are effective when you follow labeldirections.

Phosphate-Free

Contains no phosphates (whichincrease a detergent's effectiveness).  When phosphates enterwaterways, they spur algae to overgrow, depleting oxygen and killingfish.

A meaningless marketingterm.  Phosphates are banned by law in all cleaning productsexcept automatic dishwasher detergents.

Surfactants

The active cleaning agent indetergents.  Conventional products often use petroleum-basedsurfactants.

Opt for surfactants described asplant-based; these are a better choice for the environment.