Website of the UK government

Clean your house the friendly way

washing clothes at 30 degrees is just as effective

Here are some things you can do:

• be sparing with your detergents and cleaners – don’t use more than the recommended dose, and use the mildest cleaning product needed for the job
• use the minimum dosage for the hardness of the water in your area
• washing clothes at 30 degrees saves energy, and is just as effective for normally soiled clothes
• where there’s a choice, machine wash rather than dry-clean clothes; some dry-cleaning chemicals are toxic and ozone-depleting substances
• read the label and follow the proper storage and disposal advice for cleaning products
• recycle plastic, cardboard and metal packaging according to the product label
• don’t pour cleaning products down the drain unnecessarily - remember that your drainage ends up in seas and rivers

• How to help the environment when doing your laundry Opens new window
• Tips on natural ways to clean and shine Opens new window

What cleaning products should you buy?

Some things to think about are:

• choosing concentrated products where possible helps the environment by saving on packaging and transport
• buying refill systems also helps cut down on packaging

• Find out more about eco-friendly brands Opens new window

Check the logo

The European Union (EU) Ecolabel guarantees that the product will minimise or prevent risks to the environment and human health.

• The EU Ecolabel

Cleaning without chemicals

Not all chemicals in cleaning products are harmful to the environment, but if you want to avoid them you might be surprised to learn that many everyday items can make effective cleaning solutions. For instance, vinegar and warm water makes a great window cleaner, and you can use salt to scour dirty dishes.

• Natural alternatives to chemical cleaning products Opens new window

The wider issue

some chemicals end up in rivers and the sea

All the drainage points in houses – sinks, toilets, washing machines and baths – drain into sewers. This wastewater then flows to treatment works, where it is treated and returned to the water environment: rivers, lakes and seas. Most of the chemicals in wastewater get removed during treatment, but some inevitably end up in rivers and the sea where they can harm wildlife.

Human beings now come into contact with more chemical substances than at any time in history. Many of them have brought great benefits to society - but some of these chemicals accumulate in the environment. Although there are good systems in place to test both new chemicals and those already on the market, it makes sense not to use more than is needed; this reduces exposing people and the environment to them.

• More on pollution