I don’t know anyone who wants a “dirtier environment”. And, considering we talk about cleaning A LOT, we do get questions. Many are about OUR products at Gabe’s Pride. And as you might imagine there are questions about more commonly known product names. Every one of these eventually comes to the same question: “What cleaning chemicals are green and safe.” 

In order to answer that, we need to confirm we’re using the same definitions. Let’s first answer the following:

What does green really mean?

What “green cleaning” really means

One of the first things to understand is that “Green” is not a regulated term. So, much like the way “Lite” was used in product names, this can be deceiving. Some of the generally accepted descriptions include:

Low Toxicity: They do not contain carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins.

Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): They have low or zero VOC content, which helps protect indoor air quality and reduces respiratory issues.

Biodegradability: The ingredients break down quickly and naturally in the environment without polluting waterways.

No Harsh Chemicals: They exclude hazardous substances like heavy metals, phosphates, and chlorine.

Sustainable Packaging: They utilize recyclable, biodegradable, or post-consumer recycled packaging. 

What “green cleaning” means to us at Gabe’s Pride

#1 Eco-Friendly. This means that the products, practices, and behaviors designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment. It involves conserving natural resources, minimizing waste, reducing carbon emissions, and avoiding actions that harm the larger ecosystems. 

#2 Sustainable Sourcing. Using materials (e.g., bamboo, organic cotton, or recycled goods) that are renewable and cause minimal ecological impact during production. 

Two sides of the same coin

If those 2 terms sound crazy-close, it’s because they are. Here’s the difference. 

Eco-friendly refers to the immediate mitigation of harm to the environment. 

Sustainability is a broader concept that also encompasses social and economic well-being, ensuring that current actions do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

To determine if a product or service is genuinely eco-friendly, consider its full life cycle. We measure this from:

• Raw material extraction
• Manufacturing 
• Product use 
• Disposal

The 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

• Reduce: Lowering your overall consumption of goods, energy, and water.
• Reuse: Choosing durable, multi-use items (e.g., canvas grocery bags, glass water bottles) over single-use plastics.
• Recycle: Properly sorting materials like paper, glass, and metals so they can be repurposed rather than sent to a landfill.

Reduce

We choose the highest quality and safest raw materials. This in itself makes our cleaners eco-friendly. Using the highest quality cleaners means we create better performing cleaner materials. On the consumer-side, that means you can use less cleaner. The overall benefit is easy to see - Reduces consumption of product. This naturally benefits the environment by having less to recycle. It also benefits the consumer. You can buy less and still get the ultimate clean. 

Thanks to our chemistry, these cleaners are safe to use and safe for the environment when washed down the drain or used outside. 

Another step in “reduce” is using COLD water. Most people have been trained to use hot water. So I expect a few might be scowling at me right now. Please be patient with me for just a few minutes. Using cold water reduces your energy use and will give you a better clean. Here’s why: 

Yes, hot water melts (or liquifies) grease. It also spreads grease. That means the hot water is “moving, not removing” the grease. If you’ve used a steam cleaning for carpets you may have noticed grease stains appearing elsewhere, later. Hot water is most likely the culprit. 

By contrast, cold water solidifies and separates the grease for removal. Think of how chicken soup separates when placed in a refrigerator. You don’t see the chicken fat when the soup is hot. But, after you pull it out of the refrigerator the grease solidifies and floats to top for easy removal. That’s a good comparison for cleaning grease.

Reuse vs. Single use

There are many one-time use products on the market today. The manufacturers use convenience as their marketing tool. On closer examination, the overlooked impact is striking! Wipes and swifters are NOT recyclable and some are not biodegradable. These products are made with the last generation of plastics and many contain harsh chemicals. Disinfectants, Bleach, Ammonia, Phthalates, and Antibacterial in cleaners. Many of these products contain these ingredients. They’re on the labels and in plain-site. But the sales pitch of “Convenience” can overcome good-sense. Look close, you’ll find the exact thing people say they don’t want to use. And once used, these unrecyclable products end up in garbage dumps taking forever or nearly-never to decompose. 

In many cases, it is better and greener to return to a reusable cloth for cleaning and washing when needed. We recommend a white cotton cloth or a microfiber cloth. For mopping, we recommend a microfiber flat mop for smooth surfaces and a string mop for floor tile with grout.

Recycle 

All of our bottles are recyclable. That is because we use no harsh chemicals and we use early generation bottles. 

What IS a Cleaning Chemical?  

We sometimes hear people say they don’t use chemicals. When we ask what they use, we often hear things like: Water, Homemade cleaners and Essential oils to name a few.

Water

Believe it or not, because water has a pH rating, it is technically a chemical. But, because it is “pH neutral” it has no cleaning capability. Water is the vehicle that carries away dirt, grime and whatever cleaning solution used away from the surface being cleaned. And water is a very important part of the process. 

Not cleaning surfaces properly can be very dangerous to people. Ignoring this can  leave dirt and debris. These are what give germs the opportunity to survive and when left behind, people can get sick. 

Homemade cleaners 

These can be dangerous, so please be careful. Vinegar, baking soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Lemon juice and other so called products are also chemicals. And when used or mixed incorrectly can become more dangerous to people and surfaces than some store-bought cleaners. 

In their raw form, baking soda and vinegar are used to control the acidic and alkaline levels in cleaners. Making homemade and using the wrong amounts or mixing with other chemicals can be dangerous. Acids strip coatings and can etch surfaces over time. Because of that, these are not really ideal cleaners. When baking soda and vinegar are mixed together, it creates a neutral cleaner which does not clean well. 

Essential oils 

These are excellent natural fragrance enhancers and offer antimicrobial benefits for DIY cleaners. However, they are not standalone disinfectants and cannot physically lift dirt, grease, or grime without a surfactant (like soap) to break them down. 

They do not cut through grease or dissolve hard water stains on their own. They can also leave behind a greasy residue if not properly diluted, which can attract dirt or damage porous materials. 

Do not use essential oil mixtures on unsealed wood or stone countertops (like granite or marble), as the residual oils can stain or eat through the natural finish. 

We call ourselves Eco-Responsible 

At Gabe’s Pride, we take all of these items into consideration when developing and manufacturing our cleaners. From the raw materials in our cleaners to the high quality bottles, we consider how and where our products are used. We live on this planet and have family and friends. We want a clean and safe environment for them and for you!

We believe that the work begun by my dad continues with us! The key to using a good performing and safe cleaner starts with smart chemistry. After that, the application should only be what’s needed to do the job. When you’re looking for a high-quality, Eco-Friendly cleaning product to use in your RV and home, check out Gabe’s Pride!