Today, there seems to be no shortage of options when we browse the aisles of cleaning products at our local stores. But with so many options and flashy marketing, how does the eco-conscious consumer know what products are truly “green”?

“Greenwashing” is a popular marketing strategy employed to make products, or companies, seem more appealing to the conscientious customer base. Terms such as “green,” “natural,” “plant-based,” “non-toxic,” “eco-friendly” and similar buzzwords may catch the eye of well-intentioned individuals who prefer to support environmentally-conscious brands. However, just because products contain one or more of these labels, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are entirely sustainable or safe. Which is why it is important to read the labels and to think about what qualities of a cleaning product are important to you – do you want a product in less plastic packaging? A biodegradable, non-toxic product? A plant-based product?

Understanding what goes into your product and what to look for on a label can be helpful in making an informed, eco-conscious decision when it comes to your cleaning products. And fortunately, as with many other types of consumer goods, there are also seals of approval from independent, third-party organizations to help you shop for products that meet your values. Next time you shop, keep an eye out for these three seals:

The UL ECOLOGO label signifies that a product has a reduced environmental impact. Factors include manufacturer’s energy consumption, water use, and waste.

The EWG VERIFIED label attests that a product has no harmful chemical ingredients.

The Safer Choice label is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it reviews a product’s chemical ingredients for human and environmental health, product performance, sustainable packaging and production measures.

If you’d like to read more about this topic, check out this article and news story from NBC Washington.