"Waters" for cleaning
Cleaning agents are substances or mixtures that is used to remove dirt, stains, or unwanted substances from surfaces. These agents work by various mechanisms, such as solubilizing or emulsifying dirt, breaking down organic matter, or altering the surface properties of the soiled material to facilitate its removal. Traditional cleaning agents consist of a mix of different ingredients such as water, surfactants, builders, solvents, thickening agents, fragrances, colorants et cetera.
The market for different types of "water" used for cleaning, typically deionized or demineralized water, or dilute solutions containing very low concentrations of a single ingredient, is growing. In some cases, it is not the "water" itself that is sold, but rather the equipment required to produce it onsite, which must be rented or purchased.
These products are often marketed as harmless or as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning agents. However, they cannot all be regarded in the same way, as the health and environmental impacts of their ingredients vary significantly. Therefore, they should be evaluated from a life cycle perspective.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel takes a positive stance on using fewer chemical ingredients for cleaning, provided the desired cleaning effect is still achieved. Many cleaning tasks can be effectively handled with tap water and a microfiber cloth. In such cases, producing an additional "water" product for the job could unnecessarily increase the environmental burden. However, for tasks that require cleaning products with chemical ingredients, a "water" product with fewer ingredients that achieves the same cleaning effect as traditional cleaning agents could be a viable and more sustainable solution.
Nordic Swan Ecolabelling has evaluated the most common "waters" used for cleaning and will continue to do so for new types if necessary.
Is the “water” a cleaning product or not?
In some Nordic Swan product groups for services, a distinction is made between cleaning products, which must meet a number of requirements, and treated water, which does not have to meet the same requirements. However, there may still be a few requirements for treated water. Refer to the criteria document for the specific product group for detailed information about the allowed use of treated water and its associated requirements.
If a product does not comply with the following definition of treated water, it must meet the requirements for cleaning products to be approved for use
Treated water: Deionized or demineralized water and other waters containing not otherwise restricted substances in low concentrations, without surfactants, and with a pH level of 4-10.
List of evaluated “water”
The following section lists the types of "waters" investigated by Nordic Ecolabelling, along with their definitions and evaluations. Please note that the evaluations are based solely on chemical content and do not assess the efficacy of the products.
Deionized/demineralized water
Tapwater, where ions and minerals are removed using ion exchange resins, distillation, reverse osmosis or other processes. The treatment results in a slightly changed pH value that is in the range of 4-10. No additional chemicals are added to the solution.
Considered a treated water, because in does not contain added substances, and the pH is in the range of 4-10. It must comply with the requirements for treated water but not those for cleaning agents.
Oxygen water
Water containing oxygen (O2) in low concentrations and pH between 4 and 10.
Considered a treated water, because it only contains non-restricted substances in low concentrations, and the pH is in the range of 4-10. Oxygen is not on the list of prohibited substances and does not have any prohibited classifications. It must comply with the requirements for treated water but not those for cleaning agents.
Probiotic water
Water with added microorganisms. Different microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, bacteriophages, and combinations of these can be used. Bacillus spores are the most common.
Considered a cleaning agent, due to the content of microorganisms. Has to comply with requirements for cleaning agents.
Alkaline water
Filtered tapwater that is electrolysed in the presence of potassium carbonate (K2CO3), resulting in a water solution with low concentrations of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and pH above 10.
Considered a cleaning agent, due to the high pH. Has to comply with requirements for cleaning agents.
ECA water
Electro-chemical activated (ECA) water is produced by electrolysis of water with added salt. ECA water contains active chlorine in an equilibrium between the two substances hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite (OCl-): HOCl ↔ H+ + OCl-. The equilibrium can be shifted towards each side depending on temperature and pH.
Cannot be used as a cleaning agent or treated water, because it contains prohibited substances. Organic chlorine compounds, hypochlorites and hypochlorous acid are on the prohibited substances list.
Ozone water
Water containing ozone (O3) in low concentrations.
Cannot be used as a cleaning agent or treated water, because it contains substances that will receive a prohibited classification. RAC’s adopted opinion on ozone states that ozone should be Carc. 2, H351 abd Muta. 2, H341 classified.
Environmental background
For further information regarding the approach of Nordic Swan Ecolabel on harmful chemicals, see the webtexts Chemical requirements, Chemicals harmful to the environment, and Chemicals harmful to health.