Understanding labels to make informed choices

Who knows how many times you have heard/read the phrase “it is very important to read the labels of products carefully before buying them.” Yet.

Let’s play a game: close your eyes and visualize the label of your regular laundry detergent, or the fabric softener you bought last time, or even the label of that scented laundry essence you like so much… Done?

Well, could you tell if there are any danger signs on the labels (front or back) of those products?

If you are not sure, don’t worry, it is quite normal.

Although we have all become accustomed by now to reading labels more carefully than we once did, we often overlook certain warning signs simply because we do not know that it is very important to notice (and if possible avoid) them instead.

Moreover, we know that in the detergent world in particular, labels are not always so easy to decipher…

We thought we would offer here a small guide explaining the main information as well as the most important danger symbols on the labels of household care products currently on the market, so as to help you make a more informed choice.

Let’s start by restating something rather obvious: all products that are put on the market (except for food products sold in bulk) must by law be “packaged” in a container.

But the function of the container is not only to “contain,” protect and keep the product intact until it reaches the consumer.

The packaging also has the important function of providing basic information about the nature of the product contained within (highlighting precisely any warning signs) and how to use the product so as to ensure the best results of use.

The tool through which packaging performs this important function is precisely the label.

Regarding detergents, the information that must mandatorily be stated on package labels is:

• the commercial name of the product
• The type of product (e.g., whether the product is dishwashing or laundry detergent)
• The amount of product contained in the package (in Kg or Liters)
• The details of the manufacturer or marketer of the product (e.g., address and/or telephone number)
• the composition of the product
• instructions for use

… but also and especially:

• Any danger signs, risk phrases, and safety directions in the case of products classified as “hazardous”

Information on the name, type, and quantity of product per package is usually immediately understandable and also generally easy to check immediately upon purchase.

With regard to the quantity of product, in particular, washing machine detergent packages, in addition to the total quantity expressed in kilograms/liters, often also state the total number of individual servings obtainable from that package.

This information on individual doses is quite important for two reasons.

First, the number of scoops is equal to the number of “standard” washes that can be carried out (i.e., under “normal” soiled conditions and “average” water hardness) and thus allows the cost per wash to be compared among the various products and the product with the best quantity/price ratio to be chosen.

Second, information on individual doses is also important because it indicates the “ideal” amount of detergent tested by the manufacturer; in fact, detergents contain ingredients that are mixed appropriately to achieve the best results only when dosed appropriately.

The manufacturer’s suggested dosage is precisely what is needed to achieve the best cleaning results while avoiding unpleasantness:

• if too little detergent is used, the amount of these ingredients in the washing water is insufficient and consequently the cleaning efficacy is not as expected (which can lead to having to rewash some garments with consequent waste of detergent); an insufficient amount of detergent, moreover, can cause the accumulation of mineral salt deposits in the washing machine, which thus loses efficacy, increasing the cost per wash
• on the other hand, if excessive amounts of detergent are used, in addition to the obvious waste, too much foam may be generated with possible spillage from the washing machine, and residue may be found on fabrics because rinsing will fail to remove the excess product

We now come to the topic we most want to clarify and explore: the presence of DANGER SIGNS on the label.

The law stipulates that on the labels of all products that may (by their very nature) present a certain level of risk, manufacturers must include some additional information.

The “dangerousness” of a product should therefore be expressed by means of standard hazard symbols and wording, shown within a clearly demarcated and highlighted label space.

Below are the most common danger signs found on the labels of products whose composition requires them to be classified as “hazardous” (as per Directive 67/548).

Since, recently, the graphics of those symbols have been changed (Regulation 1272/2008), we bring you the old graphics in comparison with the new:

Below, we also give you the MEANING of the most common danger symbols:

As a general rule for choosing a detergent, therefore, we recommend that you first check the label for any warning signs.

Once this presence/absence has been verified, follow the basic principle that the “best” and therefore preferable detergents are those formulated to reduce the environmental impact associated with their use as much as possible such that they do not have any hazard symbols on their labels.

Generally, detergents that meet these requirements are those formulated with surfactants of plant origin(instead of petroleum derivatives) and that contain ingredients of natural and controlled origin, as well as, conversely, do not contain harmful substances such as phosphates, perborates, kerosene, triclosan, bleach or optical brighteners.

All home care products in the Green Puffer line fully comply with these essential rules.

In fact, Green Puffer products are based on plant-derived surfactants and feature a safe formulation that contains no phosphates, chemical thickeners, optical brighteners or dyes.

For this reason, products in the Green Puffer line have no danger signs on their labels because they are quickly and easily biodegradable and respect the environment in general and as well as marine ecosystems in particular.