What “eco cleaning” actually means

A plain-language guide to biodegradable products, water use and what to ask your cleaner.

“Eco” is one of the most over-used words in cleaning, so it pays to know what to look for. Genuinely eco-friendly cleaning comes down to three things: the products, the water, and the method.

Biodegradable, low-toxicity products break down safely and are kinder to your home and the people in it. Steam-based methods cut chemical use dramatically, relying on heat rather than detergents. And efficient technique keeps water use sensible.

The questions worth asking your cleaner are simple: what products do you use, and are they biodegradable? Do you use steam where possible? A straight answer tells you a lot.