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Economic conditions stimulate change in cleaning behaviors
According to a new survey from The Soap and Detergent Association
(SDA – www.cleaning101.com), the economic downturn is having an effect on consumers' household cleaning habits and purchases.
In other words, home economics is taking on a whole new meaning.
SDA's 2009 Spring Cleaning Survey shows 78 percent of respondents saying the current economic condition has influenced their cleaning habits. Sixty percent say they're doing more cleaning themselves instead of hiring a cleaning service.
More than four in ten (44 percent) say they're buying less expensive cleaning products; one-third say they're buying fewer cleaning products. Other respondents say economic factors influenced them to make their own cleaning products at home (22 percent) or clean less frequently (17 percent).
"Consumers can get more bang for their buck by using the right product for the right job and by using the right amount of the product," says Nancy Bock, Vice President of Education at The Soap and Detergent Association.
To help maximize their cleaning product purchases, Bock offers consumers a few helpful hints:
- Look for multi-purpose cleaners. They get the cleaning job done on a variety of surfaces. Just make sure you check the label to see what surfaces you can and can't clean. Supplement them with specialized cleaners as needed.
- Use the right amount – read the label. Consumers often believe that by using more of a product you'll get the surface or fabric cleaner. That's not always the case. With more concentrated products available today, you'll find more cleaning power packed into smaller doses. Reading the label helps ensure you're using the right amount of product to get the job done effectively.
- Fill up on refillable products. Buying a refillable cleaning product represents a concrete example of sustainability in action. Many bulk sizes are packaged with a corresponding smaller, refillable version of the product. If your choice doesn't come that way – and/or you want to keep the cleaner in multiple locations – purchase a smaller size and refill the container as necessary. That way, no matter where you use the product, it'll be properly labeled in case of an emergency.
Spring Cleaning Is Still a Habit
Among 1,002 American adults surveyed by Echo Research for SDA, 68 percent say they regularly spring clean.
What qualities are most important when it comes to cleaning product purchases? Americans rank effectiveness (87 percent), cost (74 percent) and convenience (71 percent) as the top three factors, followed by multi-purpose (67 percent) and time-saving benefits (64 percent).
Safety First
"Safe, effective and proper use of cleaning products is what matters most to our industry," says Bock. "SDA reminds consumers to read their product labels, use them as directed and store them properly. This goes a long way toward ensuring your home stays clean and safe."
More information on the safe, proper and beneficial use of cleaning and disinfecting products is available on SDA’s website at www.cleaning101.com.
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