It may come as a surprise that as many as one in eight Kiwis suffer from asthma and one in five of us have allergies (according to the New Zealand Health Survey 2022/23). Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is a timely reminder that the products we use to clean our homes and workplaces matter more than we may think. Cleaning certainly helps reduce common triggers like dust, mould and pollen but chemicals from some conventional cleaning products can actually make symptoms worse.
For World Asthma Day (on 5 May), we teamed up with our partner Sensitive Choice to look at how we can reduce the risk of allergy and asthma triggers by choosing safer cleaning products.
Why check the ingredients in your cleaning products?
Many everyday cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can irritate airways and reduce indoor air quality when used consistently overtime.
A 2024 study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology confirmed how, “Exposure to disinfectants and cleaning products (DCPs) is now a well-established risk factor for work-related asthma (WRA).”
Ingredients to watch out for include:
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- Bleach, chlorine, and ammonia
- Synthetic fragrances
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Similarly, an article in Environment International demonstrated how, “Cleaning products applied in spray form are suggested to have more harmful effects on the respiratory system than other application types of cleaning agents, and thus this application deserves particular attention.”
Inhaling these ingredients over time has been linked to respiratory illness. Fewer irritants mean fewer reactions so choosing safer alternatives can make a meaningful difference. Products and services that have been approved by Sensitive Choice® or are BioGro Organic-certified, is a great place to start.
What does it mean to be Sensitive Choice-approved?
Products and services that carry the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly have been reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel including immunologists, allergists, chemists and GPs. The rigorous testing process determines their safety and benefit to people with asthma and allergies. Find out more in the video below.
Clean Planet, is proud to be New Zealand’s only Sensitive Choice®-approved commercial cleaning company offering eco-friendly cleaning services for businesses and homes.
What makes Clean Planet asthma and allergy friendly?
At Clean Planet, we focus on two core principles to help reduce asthma and allergy triggers:
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- Minimising exposure to irritating chemicals, and
- Reducing airborne particles during cleaning
We use 100% non-toxic, plant-based cleaning products that are free from common respiratory irritants such as bleach, ammonia, synthetic fragrances, dyes and phosphates. We also manufacture our own BioGro-certified organic cleaning products, which gives us full control over every ingredient and allows us to maintain consistently high standards for respiratory health.
Our cleaning methods have been designed with the same care in mind. Instead of using sprays and aerosols that can linger in the air, we apply products directly onto cloths to reduce airborne exposure. Our Norwex antibacterial microfibre cloths wipe up dust and allergens while minimising the need for excess cleaning products. While the use of HEPA filters in our vacuum cleaners effectively captures fine particles.
Our latest innovation, the EcoBot, a New Zealand-first robot floor cleaner, is another way we are raising the bar for health and hygiene for high traffic areas. Paired with our low-allergen cleaning products, the EcoBot works tirelessly across all the floor types to ensure healthy indoor environments. Find out all about how the EcoBot was put to the test and is now well established in one of the country’s leading gyms.
Improve your respiratory health with Clean Planet
Whether at work, home, school, or the gym, switching to non-toxic products and safer cleaning methods will help reduce asthma and allergy triggers and improve long-term respiratory health.
At Clean Planet, our nationwide network of trusted cleaning partners delivers low-allergen and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to create healthier, happier indoor environments.
Ready to reduce asthma and allergy triggers?
