When shopping for tile & tub cleaner, choose products that are free of ammonia, bleach, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Our favorite tile & tub cleaners come as package-free tablets and are certified by EWG, EPA Safer Choice, and Leaping Bunny or PETA.

Ingredients

Ammonia

Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced industrial chemicals in the U.S. and is often found in tub & tile cleaners. Ammonium hydroxide breaks down oils and grime, which is why it’s used in many products to eradicate all the gross stuff that gets stuck in your tile grout. Ammonia is not a disinfectant, however, so some products contain bleach instead, which can kill bacteria and germs on contact. 

Although ammonia is produced naturally from decomposed organic matter, it’s not without its faults. Just like bleach, ammonia can be corrosive to skin, eyes, and lungs. Ammonia is also a common cause of fish kills and can negatively impact aquatic growth and gill development. 

Bleach

Bleach is a solution made of chlorine gas, caustic soda, and water that results in the formation of sodium hypochlorite. It can kill bacteria and germs on contact, and is known for its whitening properties, but isn’t the most effective at cutting through grime. 

You’ll never find bleach and ammonia in the same product. Combining these two materials produces a toxic gas called chloramine that can lead to actual pneumonia or even fatality when inhaled in acute doses. Even when used individually, ammonia and bleach both need to be handled with care. 

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Sodium Percarbonate

Luckily, there are some safer alternatives to ammonia and bleach. A homemade mixture of baking soda and white distilled vinegar has been shown to remove grime without ammonia. Combining the acid (baking soda) and the base (vinegar) creates salty water and carbon dioxide gas that can help lift dirt from the surfaces being cleaned. These common kitchen supplies don’t release noxious gasses, making them a great substitute to ammonia. Similarly, sodium percarbonate, or oxygen bleach, is a white, odorless powder that has become a common replacement for bleach. This material can perform the same function without harming human health.

The downside? The production processes for these alternatives aren't any better than ammonia and bleach. Since bleach, sodium percarbonate and vinegar are manufactured in large petrochemical facilities that use methane, and since baking soda comes from trona mining, which also emits methane, all of these materials release high proportions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. So even though these alternatives can reduce risks to human health, they still come with a high environmental toll in production. 

Synthetic Fragrances

Since ammonia and bleach aren’t the nicest smelling materials, it’s common for tub & tile cleaners to incorporate fragrances to mask those pungent smells. While we might prefer smelling citrus over the strong stench of bleach, fragrances bring their own host of concerns. When fragrances mix with smog (which already worsens lung diseases), they can form formaldehyde, a human carcinogen. And, recent research has found that the fragrances in cleaning products can react with ozone, a harmful gas that can exacerbate lung problems like asthma. Ozone can come from indoor sources, like electronic devices. When this reaction occurs, it forms formaldehyde, a human carcinogen (or cancer-causing substance). Opting for tub & tile cleaners that are fragrance-free can contribute to a healthier breathing space in your home. 

Phthalates

Phthalates is a large class of chemicals used as binders and plasticizers in many household products, including tub & tile cleaner. More companies are labeling cleaners with “no phthalates,” and for good reason. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors in both humans and aquatic life and can even lower the production of testosterone. Studies have found that prenatal exposure to phthalates can decrease mental and motor development in children. While some major retailers and brands have been phasing phthalates out of products over the past decade, it’s still safer to grab a cleaner that specifies it’s phthalate-free. 

‍Packaging

The ingredients in some tub & tile cleaners can be pretty corrosive, so they often require some heavy-duty packaging. Most traditional cleaners are packaged in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) because it’s a non-leaching plastic that can withstand extreme temperatures and is UV resistant. Even though HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, a life cycle assessment (LCA) showed that recycled HDPE actually has higher impacts on ozone layer depletion, climate change, and acidification than virgin HDPE. 

For those looking to ditch plastic…there’s good news! More brands are emerging that offer highly concentrated tablets that can be dissolved in water at home in a reusable glass container. Plus, the tablet options weigh far less than a typical tub & tile cleaner, which can significantly cut back on shipping-related emissions. 

Certifications

Here are some certifications to look for when shopping this category.

‍