Whether it’s the kitchen counter, the school cafeteria or the operating room, proper use of cleaning products serves a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious disease and in ensuring good health.

This fact won’t change, despite a recent report (based in part on outdated databases) that maligns ingredients commonly found in cleaning products – ingredients that help enable the product to be effective, according to The Soap and Detergent Association. Since 1926, SDA has served as the home of the U.S. cleaning products industry, representing product manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

"We encourage consumers to use common sense when they use cleaning products and when they hear alarmist rhetoric about product safety," said Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education.

"Responsible manufacturers ensure their products go through comprehensive, extensive risk assessments, and also review scientific developments and monitor product use data that may affect the safety assessment process. An incredible amount of research and development goes on before these products ever hit the shelves, not to mention that the products must meet certain federal and state quality and safety regulations," said Bock.

"These products are used safely and effectively in homes, schools, businesses and healthcare settings by millions of people every single day, yielding improvements in both hygiene and overall quality of life.

"Cleaning products play an essential role in our daily lives," added Bock. "By removing soils, germs and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care for our homes and belongings, and make our surroundings more pleasant."

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