The Four Most Critical Components Of Cleaning Product Labels

1. Directions/Uses/Instructions

This section of the cleaning label is the one people are most familiar with. It most commonly includes directions on how to apply a cleaning product or what to mix it with. If the chemicals included in the cleaner are only suitable for specific uses and applications, these will be listed here. Some chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, work well for certain household uses, but in other situations, they could be caustic, corrosive and damaging to your belongings. Common uses are often listed on cleaning product labels along with instructions on how to properly mix, apply and dispose of your chemicals and solvents.

2. Caution

Arguably the most important part of any cleaning product label, the caution section contains critical information related to potential health and safety hazards regarding your household cleaning products. Not all cleaning products have the same caution information; similar to the previous section we discussed, some cleaning ingredients may only be problematic in certain situations, such as being mixed with other solvents.

The Caution section consists of two main components: Information on potential safety concerns and instructions on what to do if you encounter those situations. For example, "keep out of reach of children" is commonly found on bleach warning labels. The Caution section may also direct you to keep cleaners and solvents out of your eyes and mouth. Some may even direct you to wear protective wear or safety equipment when handling, such as goggles and rubber gloves. The other section will tell you what to do in case these situations are encountered. Common instructions would include flushing your eyes with water or visiting the hospital. Most companies will also provide a contact number where you can reach out to them for further assistance regarding your situation.

4. Storage

Some labels on cleaning products may not include a dedicated Storage section. They may include directions on safe storage in other sections of the label, such as the Caution or Instructions sections. However, it is true that all cleaning products have optimum storage conditions. This section of your cleaning label can detail any special storage instructions you may have for your household product. Dry chemicals, such as baking soda, should be kept away from wet areas like under the sink, while bleach warning labels will tell you to keep it stored in cool, dry places away from heat and sunlight.