ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A growing number of companies are adopting chemical-free cleaning systems in a bid to become more sustainable. But are such systems really more sustainable than chemical-based ones? And are there any cases where only a chemical will do, asks Ann Laffeaty.

‘Chemical-free cleaning’ has become an industry catchphrase as manufacturers increasingly strive to offer solutions with minimal environmental impact. Systems that involve the use of steam, deionised water or microfibre are being thrust into the spotlight as suppliers and customers embrace more sustainable practices.

But are chemical-free systems always more sustainable? And are there any situations in which only a chemical will do?

Kärcher’s product manager for detergents Verena McLeish believes the trend towards chemical-free cleaning is justified. “It is a core part of our own corporate identity,” she said. “However, while chemical-free solutions are ideal for some applications the negative perception of chemical cleaning is often based on outdated formulations.”

Many of today’s solutions are highly sustainable, according to McLeish. “When a product is designed to be easily separable in wastewater and is based on sustainable raw materials, it becomes an environmentally low-impact component of a cleaning process,” she said.

“Highly concentrated agents can also significantly reduce transport weight and packaging waste compared with ready-to-use products. And sustainability can be achieved through the use of nature-based ingredients, too.”

Kärcher offers highly concentrated products as well as biodegradable cleaning agents containing organic ingredients.

Chemical solutions are evolving rapidly through green chemistry, says McLeish. “We are increasingly replacing synthetic ingredients with nature-based alternatives and removing harmful substances such as phosphates and microplastics,” she said. “And dosing systems help to prevent any skin contact with concentrates while also eliminating the risk of overdosing, protecting the operator and the environment.”

There are definitely some instances where only a chemical will do, according to McLeish. “Specialised agents are required in the food industry to reliably break down complex fat and protein structures, for example,” she said. “Certified disinfectants are also essential in healthcare to ensure the reliable inactivation of pathogens.

“And during deep cleaning applications or when removing heavy mineral deposits such as limescale and uric stone in high-traffic sanitary areas, the chemical reaction of a specialised agent is necessary to achieve a hygienic result within an economically feasible timeframe.”

Chemicals ensure that cleaning results are not just visually satisfactory, but also microbiologically safe, she says. “While steam or microfibre are excellent for many tasks, they may not always reach the required depth of disinfection or soil suspension needed in high-risk areas,” says McLeish. “There is also an increased risk of cross-contamination or the development of biofilms when the appropriate cleaning agents are not used. Furthermore, specialised chemicals provide a protective layer that prevents rapid re-soiling - something that water alone cannot provide.”

Safe synthetic ingredients

Kärcher’s eco!perform range is claimed to reduce the time and physical effort required for heavy-duty cleaning while also ensuring a low environmental impact.

Cleanology’s environmental, social and governance director Kate Lovell agrees that the current movement towards low chemical solutions is generally justified. “However, not all natural ingredients are truly sustainable while many synthetic ingredients can be safe, effective and responsibly produced,” she said.

Low toxicity chemicals that are responsibly sourced and biodegradable can be sustainable - particularly if their life cycle is well managed, she says. And she believes there are definitely some cleaning tasks for which only a chemical will do.

“Healthcare environments often require disinfectants that meet strict clinical standards for eliminating pathogens,” she said. “The priority here will be to use the safest, most sustainable and lowest impact chemical options available.”

Cleanology mainly uses chemical free cleaning products but opts for biotechnology and bio enzyme products where appropriate. The company also uses pre-portioned biological cleaning sachets which are said to cut down on plastic waste while also preventing overdosing.

Water and microfibre

Chemical solutions are evolving to be safer both for the environment and for the operator, says Lovell. “Lower toxicity, bio based and biodegradable ingredients such as plant derived surfactants and lactic acid are increasingly being used, while manufacturers are also focusing on responsible sourcing and life cycle analysis to reduce environmental impact while maintaining effectiveness,” she said.

Product specialist for Robert Scott Steve Courtney says it is becoming a clear point of differentiation for cleaning contractors to offer chemical-free cleaning services when bidding for work. “We believe this stance to be justified where there are solutions proven to be as effective as traditional chemicals, but without the disadvantages associated with toxic ingredients, harsh pH levels or carbon-intensive manufacturing processes,” he said.

For most general cleaning applications he says there is an argument for using water and microfibre alone. “This method has been shown to remove up to 99.9 per cent of germs,” he said. “However, it requires strict discipline to prevent cross-contamination and relies on a frequent, well-managed laundry process which is not always in place or consistently followed. This means using a cleaner 
and sanitiser is often a safer, more effective and more practical solution for many operators.”

He concedes that heavy-duty degreasers or descalers are likely to be needed for deep cleaning applications. “But for daily cleaning or sanitising there are now highly effective alternatives that perform as well as or better than traditional chemicals across most environments including washrooms, healthcare settings and food preparation areas,” he adds.

Examine claims

Any sustainability claims need to be carefully examined, according to Courtney. “It is important to look at the full lifecycle: the ingredients used, how the solution is manufactured, its packaging and containers, how it is transported and stored and what waste is produced,” he said. “Sustainability should be assessed holistically - not based on a single ‘green’ attribute that represents only part of the picture.”

Robert Scott offers the Toucan Eco biocleaning system which enables users to produce a multi-surface disinfectant cleaner onsite using only water, salt and electrolysis. It is described as safe and environmentally-responsible and is claimed to kill up to 99.999 per cent of germs.

Health and safety manager at SBFM Ged Sykes says it is important to recognise ‘chemical-free’ as being a marketing term rather than a scientific one. “Even when cleaning relies on a physical action the underlying process - chemistry - is still in effect because every substance is chemical in nature,” he said.

“What clients really seek are lower-hazard, more sustainable formulations that reduce environmental and occupational risk while still delivering effective cleaning performance. So it is less about eliminating chemicals altogether and more about using them intelligently, balancing safety, performance and environmental impact.”

Well-formulated chemical solutions often represent the most practical and effective option, according to Sykes. “Our priority is to substitute or eliminate higher hazard products wherever safer alternatives achieve the same outcome,” he said.

He believes there is no single definition of sustainability in cleaning. “It depends not only on formulation but on how products are packaged, delivered and used,” he said. “Concentrated products have long been part of professional cleaning, traditionally supplied in larger containers and diluted using devices such as pelican pumps. But many cleaning chemicals now offer super concentrated solutions, often paired with controlled dosing or integrated dilution systems that reduce handling, limit exposure and improve consistency.”

Sachet-based delivery models can also significantly cut plastic packaging waste and transport weight without compromising operational performance, he adds. “They also improve dosing accuracy which results in a reduction in waste and unnecessary exposure.”

SBFM routinely reviews the safety data and regulatory classification of any new product before introducing it. Where higher hazard substances remain necessary, operator exposure is managed through training, safe systems of work and appropriate controls, says Sykes.

Mechanical cleaning methods using microfibre or purified water can be highly effective for many routine hygiene tasks, he said. “However without proper laundering and rotation, there is an increased risk of redistributing microorganisms over time via a cloth rather than consistently reducing them,” he said.

“In clinical environments and other areas where a defined level of disinfection must be demonstrated, chemical disinfectants will deliver measurable microbial control in line with the hygiene requirements.”

And he adds it is important to note that ‘chemical-free’ does not necessarily mean ‘risk-free’. “Occupational dermatitis remains one of the most common issues in cleaning, and frequent wet work alone can damage the skin barrier even in the absence of hazardous substances,” he points out.

Focus on evidence-based

2Pure Products director James Law agrees that the direction of travel towards safer and more sustainable cleaning is a positive one. “However, the industry needs to move beyond simplistic labels and focus on evidence-based outcomes,” he adds. “People should consider the toxicity profile, biodegradability, carbon footprint, in-use performance and total environmental impact of any system they use.”

He believes the term ‘chemical-free’ to be misleading. “From a scientific perspective, everything we use in cleaning is a chemical including water, enzymes and plant extracts,” he said. “Many products positioned as ‘chemical-free’, ‘plant-based’ or ‘bio’ still rely on synthetic or formulated chemicals to deliver performance, stability or shelf life.”

Well-formulated chemical products can be non-hazardous, readily biodegradable and extremely efficient at low concentrations, according to Law. “This helps to reduce raw material use, packaging, transport emissions and waste,” he said. “And in many cases advanced chemistry allows for better performance, reduced reapplication and a lower overall chemical load entering the environment compared with less effective ‘chemical-free’ alternatives.”

2Pure’s OdorBac Tec4 is said to work more efficiently than traditional formulations even using small quantities of active ingredients. It carries no hazard warnings and is claimed to be biodegradable and capable of removing odours throughout an entire building.

Chemicals are essential in many professional environments, says Law. “Cleaning in healthcare is not just about visual cleanliness but also about infection prevention, and relying solely on mechanical action or non-chemical alternatives in these environments introduces an unacceptable level of risk,” he said.

Flawed assumptions

“Chemicals are also necessary in washrooms where the removal of limescale, uric scale and biofilm requires chemistry that no amount of water, wiping or so-called chemical-free products will reliably achieve. And food preparation areas depend on chemistry for safety and compliance while deep cleaning and restorative applications in commercial buildings become labour-intensive, inconsistent and often ineffective without the use of chemicals.”

Solutions such as water, microfibre and steam rely primarily on physical removal rather than neutralisation or breaking down the contamination, says Law. “They can move soils and microorganisms around but they do not reliably destroy them, prevent regrowth or deal with the underlying causes such as odour or scale,” he adds.

He says the assumption that bio, enzyme and bacteria-based solutions are automatically more sustainable than chemical ones is flawed. “Their sustainability depends on formulation, dose rate, lifecycle assessment, cleaning context and any additives in their formulation,” he said.

“And biological cleaning products are not generally regulated to the same depth as chemical products when it comes to hazard classification, environmental fate and downstream impact.

“If the industry is serious about sustainability and safety, biological and chemical products should be judged by the same standards: transparency, performance, human health impact, environmental fate and real-world outcomes - not by whether the active ingredient happens to be biological or chemical in nature.”