How to Find Safer Choice Cleaning Products
To find Safer Choice products, use EPA's searchable product list at epa.gov/saferchoice/products. Filter by home or business use, product type and fragrance-free, then look for the Safer Choice mark on the package. EPA says certified products are sold at most stores that carry cleaning and household supplies.
Key takeaways
- EPA keeps a searchable list of Safer Choice-certified products, plus a downloadable spreadsheet.
- You can filter by home or business use, product type, fragrance-free and outdoor use.
- Look for the actual Safer Choice mark on the package, then confirm on the EPA list.
- Disinfectants are listed separately, on EPA's DfE-certified disinfectants page.
- A product listed twice does not mean two products: one product can appear under several types.
How do you find Safer Choice products?
Start with EPA's product search page, which lists Safer Choice-certified products and lets you search by product or company name. EPA also offers a downloadable spreadsheet of the list through its Envirofacts datasets. In stores, look for the Safer Choice mark on the package and match it against the list.
The most reliable method is EPA's own tool. On the Search Products that Meet the Safer Choice Standard page you can type a product or company name, or leave the box empty and use filters. EPA also says the full list is available as a downloadable spreadsheet on EPA Envirofacts.
New to the label? Read what EPA Safer Choice is first so you know what the mark does and does not tell you.
Which filters help narrow the list?
EPA's search lets you filter by home or business use, by product type, and with check boxes for fragrance-free products and products with outdoor uses. Product types include all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, tub and tile cleaners, window and glass cleaners, oven cleaners, laundry detergents and many more.
| Filter | What it does |
|---|---|
| Home or Business Use | Shows products listed for homes or for facilities |
| Product Type | Narrows to categories such as all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, floor cleaners, tub/tile cleaners, window/glass cleaners, stainless steel cleaners and laundry detergents |
| Fragrance-free | Shows products EPA has verified meet its fragrance-free criteria. See the fragrance-free label guide |
| Outdoor uses | Shows products with the outdoor-use feature |
EPA's own home page for the program also links straight to categories such as all-purpose cleaners, dish soaps, floor cleaners, laundry products and tub and tile cleaners.
Where can you buy Safer Choice-certified products?
EPA says certified products are available at most stores that carry cleaning and household supplies, including major nationwide retailers and thousands of smaller and independent stores. It adds that nearly 2,000 products qualify and that new ones are always being added. Confirm any product you pick on the EPA list.
Per EPA's disclaimer, mentioning a company or product is not an endorsement. So treat the EPA list as a way to verify, then shop where you normally do.
- Check the package for the mark before you buy.
- If you are unsure, search the product or company name on the EPA list.
- Look for the "‡" symbol: EPA marks a listing that way when the partner company is overdue for its yearly partnership review.
What do the labels on the package look like?
There are four versions. The standard Safer Choice label, an optional version for products designated for businesses, offices, sports venues and schools, a fragrance-free version, and a Certified for Outdoor Use version. All carry the Safer Choice name, so confirm the product on EPA's list if the mark looks unfamiliar.
EPA publishes images of each version on its label page. Because several look alike, a quick check on the EPA list is the easiest way to be sure. For what each label means, see our Safer Choice explainer.
A certified product is one thing, and whether a cleaning company holds any certification is a separate question, which we cover in Safer Choice cleaning service certification.
Where do you find safer disinfectants?
EPA uses a different mark for disinfectants and sanitizers: the Design for the Environment (DfE) logo, which covers antimicrobial products. EPA keeps a separate DfE-Certified Disinfectants list that can be filtered by active ingredient, product type and home or business use, and it shows a contact time column. Inclusion on the list is not an EPA endorsement.
EPA says the DfE logo helps people find antimicrobial products, like disinfectants and sanitizers, that meet both pesticide registration requirements and the DfE standard. Its list page offers filters for active ingredient (for example hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, ethanol, lactic acid and isopropanol), product type and home or business use, and shows a contact time column. Inclusion on the list is not an endorsement by EPA.
Compare the two programs in Safer Choice vs DfE. The list shows a contact time column, so check it and follow the label directions.
What should you do after you find a product?
Read the label and follow the directions. EPA warns that some household chemicals are hazardous when misused: combining bleach and ammonia, for example, generates a toxic chloramine gas. Never mix cleaners, and use each product only for what its label says it is for.
- Read the directions and any warnings.
- Do not mix cleaners. EPA specifically notes that combining bleach and ammonia generates toxic chloramine gas.
- Use a product for what its label says it is for.
- If you hire help, ask which products they use. Our guide to choosing a cleaning company has questions to ask.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there an official Safer Choice product list?
Yes. EPA maintains a searchable list on its Safer Choice products page, and a downloadable spreadsheet is available through EPA Envirofacts. EPA notes the table has multiple entries for a product listed for both home and business use or under several types, so the row count is not the product count.
Are all Safer Choice products fragrance-free?
No. Fragrance-free is a separate label that manufacturers may use, and EPA's label page says it helps consumers who prefer products without fragrance. In the product search you can tick the fragrance-free check box, which shows products EPA has verified meet its Safer Choice Criteria for Fragrance-Free Products.
Can I find Safer Choice products for laundry and dishes?
Yes. EPA's program home page links to categories including laundry products and dish soaps, along with all-purpose, floor and tub and tile cleaners. The product search also lists automatic dishwasher detergents, window cleaners and many other types. Use the Product Type filter.
Does EPA recommend specific brands?
No. EPA's disclaimer states mention of trade names, companies or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by EPA. The list shows which products meet the Standard. Choosing among them is up to you, based on the label and your needs.
Are disinfectants Safer Choice-certified?
Not under that label. EPA uses the Design for the Environment (DfE) logo for antimicrobial products such as disinfectants and sanitizers, and keeps a separate list of qualifying products. EPA says disinfectants must meet pesticide registration requirements as well as the DfE standard. Inclusion on the list is not an endorsement.