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Cleaning Products

Cleaning ProductsCleaning Products

We all like a clean home; however, what's good for cleaning the kitchen isn't necessarily safe to throw in the garbage. Many cleaning products contain harmful ingredients that should never be thrown out or poured down the drain to dispose of them.

Reduction Tips

You can reduce waste and toxins in your home by choosing less hazardous cleaning products.
  • Read product labels before buying. Avoid those with the words Warning, Danger, or Poison on the label.
  • Use fewer products. Choose a multi-purpose cleaner that will save money and storage space.
  • Buy only as much as you need.
  • Consider using non-toxic cleaning products. For more information on safer cleaning products and ways to reduce toxins in your home, consult the resources of Reduce.org, a service of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Disposal Information

Read the labels on your cleaning products. Look for SIGNAL WORDS: Caution, Warning, Danger and Poison. Products labeled with these words contain ingredients that are potentially harmful. The scale of risk runs from Caution to Poison, the most toxic.
Buying label

KNOW HOW:

Here are some tips to manage cleaning products safely:
  • Follow label directions when using cleaning products.
  • When possible, use up all cleaning products. Avoid throwing away partially filled containers.
  • Know what is in containers - add a new label if the old one is wearing off.
  • Do not mix different cleaning products. Poisonous gases may form.
  • If a cleaning product is designed to be mixed with water for use, it is likely safe to dispose of unused product down a sink, toilet or laundry tub basin. Call your county solid waste management office for more information.
  • Keep cleaning products out of the garbage. If the product label reads: Caution, Warning, Danger or Poison, you may need to take it to your county's household hazardous waste collection site for reuse, recycling, or disposal.

If you must dispose of hazardous household cleaning products, contact your county solid waste office or visit the Household Hazardous Waste page to find a collection site nearest you.

For more information on proper disposal of hazardous household cleaners and other products, contact your county.