What’s Really in Your Cleaning Products?
August 31, 2026
What’s Really in Your Cleaning Products?
A simple guide to making more informed choices in your practice
Infection control products are something every practice relies on, every day.
But how often do we actually stop and look beyond the label on the front of the bottle?
We tend to ask one question first:
“Does it do the job?”
But there are a few more questions worth asking.
Because the product you use every day can have implications for your team, your equipment, your cleaning routine, your costs — and what ultimately goes down the drain.
As Bio Hygiene’s CEO Jurgen Kuhefuss put it in a recent Grow Community webinar:
“Dental practices should look beyond whether a product simply does the job. Take the time to understand what’s in the products you’re using, how they impact your team and equipment, and what happens to them once they enter the environment.”
So, what should you actually be looking for?
You don't need to be a chemist to make a more informed choice.
Start with a few simple questions.
1. What's actually in the bottle?
The front of a bottle tells you what the manufacturer wants you to know.
The label and Material Safety Data Sheet tell you more.
Look at the active ingredients, other ingredients where disclosed, hazard classifications, handling requirements and intended use.
Why does this matter?
Because two products can both be described as a “disinfectant” while having very different formulations, instructions and precautions.
What can happen if you don't look closely?
You may be using a product containing ingredients you weren't aware of, or using a product in a way that isn't appropriate for a particular surface or piece of equipment.
What can you do?
Before introducing a new product into your practice:
- Read the label.
- Read the MSDS.
- Check what the product is actually intended to be used for.
- Make sure your team understands the instructions.
- Ask your supplier about anything you don't understand.
2. Is it suitable for your equipment and surfaces?
Not every cleaning product is suitable for every surface.
Think about everything you're cleaning throughout the day — dental chairs, upholstery, treatment tables, handles, benches, touchscreens and other equipment.
Using an inappropriate product, or using a product incorrectly, may contribute to surface damage, discolouration or deterioration over time.
A simple example
You might have a product that is effective for a particular cleaning task, but its formulation or instructions may not make it suitable for the upholstery or equipment you're using it on.
What can you do?
Check the manufacturer's instructions for both the cleaning product and the surface/equipment.
If you're unsure, ask the supplier:
“Is this product suitable for the surfaces and equipment we use every day?”
It's a simple question that could save you a much bigger problem later.
3. Are you using more products than you actually need?
Take a look around your cleaning cupboard.
How many different products are there?
One for cleaning.
One for disinfecting.
Another for a particular surface.
Perhaps another product for equipment care.
Sometimes a complicated cleaning routine becomes the norm simply because “that's the way we've always done it.”
What can happen?
More products can mean:
- More bottles to buy and store
- More instructions for staff to follow
- More products to keep stocked
- More packaging
- More opportunities for the wrong product to be used
What can you do?
Review your current routine and ask:
Could any steps be simplified?
Where appropriate, look for products designed to perform multiple functions rather than automatically reaching for another product.
4. What's happening to the product after you use it?
This is one that's easy to overlook.
Once you've finished cleaning, the product is out of sight — but it hasn't necessarily disappeared.
Depending on the product and how it is used, residues and chemicals can ultimately enter wastewater systems.
Why should you care?
Because what goes down the drain is part of the environmental footprint of your practice.
That doesn't mean every product is environmentally harmful, and environmental claims should always be backed by evidence.
It simply means it's worth knowing what you're using and what happens to it after use.
What can you do?
Ask your supplier:
“What happens to this product after it enters the wastewater system?”
And if a product makes environmental claims, ask:
“What evidence supports that claim?”
Look for recognised testing, certifications and supporting documentation rather than relying solely on words such as eco, green or environmentally friendly.
5. Are you getting the value you think you are?
Price isn't always the same as cost.
A $20 bottle isn't necessarily cheaper than a $30 bottle.
It depends on how much you use, how often you use it and how much product is required for each application.
Try this simple calculation
Cost per use = product cost ÷ number of applications
For example, if:
- Product A costs $20 and provides 100 applications
- Product B costs $30 and provides 200 applications
Product B costs less per application, even though the bottle costs more.
What can you do?
Instead of comparing the price on the shelf, ask your supplier:
“What's the actual cost per use?”
It's a much more useful comparison.
6. Where is it made?
Your supply chain can be another important consideration.
Where is the product manufactured?
Where are the ingredients sourced?
How far has it travelled before it reaches your practice?
And what happens if supply is interrupted?
What can you do?
Ask your supplier:
- Where is the product manufactured?
- Where are the raw materials sourced?
- Is there local manufacturing?
- What is the typical lead time?
- How reliable is the supply?
For Australian practices, Australian manufacturing can also be worth considering as part of the overall purchasing decision.
What about the Material Safety Data Sheet?
If you've never looked at an MSDS before, don't be intimidated by it.
You don't need to understand every line.
Start with the sections that are most relevant to your practice, including:
Hazards | Composition | First Aid | Handling & Storage | Disposal | Environmental information
A Material Safety Data Sheet can reveal information that isn't obvious from the front of the bottle.
And if a supplier can't provide an MSDS for a product where one is expected, that's worth asking about.
Bio Hygiene makes Material Safety Data Sheets available across our product range so practices can access this information when considering their infection control products.
View Bio Hygiene Safety Data Sheets
Not sure what you're looking for?
Read: Understanding MSDS and GHS Labels
It's about making informed choices
This isn't about assuming one product is automatically better than another.
It's about knowing what you're buying.
Understanding the ingredients.
Reading the information.
Questioning the claims.
Considering your team, your equipment, your costs and the environment.
And making a decision based on more than price or familiarity.
At Bio Hygiene, we believe better choices start with better information.
Have a question about a product you're currently using? Not sure whether there's a simpler option? Want to understand what's in a product you're using? Or simply want to compare your current cleaning routine?