Water Only, The New Green Clean
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - What do you use to get your home clean?
Would you try only using water and a cloth to remove dirt and germs?
Blogger Becky Rapinchuk is known as "The Clean Mama." She's been using natural cleaning products in her home for quite some time. Now a growing number of cleaning tools are aimed at taking the 'green clean' one step further. Products on the market, many made with microfiber, are designed to work with water - without need for chemical cleaners.
"For just every day wiping down the counters, cleaning surfaces, water and a microfiber cloth is sufficient," said Rapinchuk.
John Owen, a senior household analyst for Mintel, said their research shows 37-percent of adults would be interested in using microfiber and water to clean dirt, grease and bacteria. He added that 12-percent already use microfiber products on a daily basis.
"Young adults, those who are sort of in their 20's and 30s say, are more than twice as likely and we think that's an indication that the market is growing and that there's a generational shift going on," said Owen.
A shift that has companies which make cleaning products taking notice. Owens said those manufacturers are responding to consumer concerns about ingredients in their products.
"People are increasingly equating a clean home with a healthy home and a healthy family. But at the same time there's also concern about the cleaning product ingredients. So for these consumers, they still want their homes clean, but they're looking for alternatives," said Owen.
But are alternatives designed to work without chemicals effective?
Microbiologist Dr. Michael Schmidt said microfiber, which is small than a human hair, is good at trapping dust and more.
"It's this frizzy end at the end of this very small fiber that facilitates the pickup of bacteria and viruses from surfaces," said Schmidt.
For situations when a family member is sick, or when it comes to cleaning the kitchen after working with raw food, Schmidt had this advice.
"Use a disinfectant and good old elbow grease to make certain that that material is gone," said Schmidt.
"I'm okay with that when it's quicker and the mess is actually cleaned up."
Schmidt points out that while microfiber can trap germs, it doesn't kill the bugs. So it is important to clean any cloths you may use to get rid of bacteria and viruses.
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