Product Dictionary

Chemicals / Solvents / Cleaners

Important hazard warnings

The explosion cloud for danger of explosion

The flame for inflammable or fire spreading solids, liquids and gases

Gas bottle for gas under pressure

The dripping test tubes on hand and surface for “caustic”

The skull for toxic products

The exclamation mark for irritating substances (e.g. irritating the respiratory system)

The body figure for substances very dangerous for health (e.g. cancerous)

The dead tree and fish for substances dangerous for water

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Fichier Chemicals / Solvents / Cleaners

General informations

Chemical substances may be toxic, cancerous, caustic, inflammable or fire promoting. They are harmful for the soil, water, plants, animals and humans.

Bitumen and products containing bitumen may contain volatile, cancerous substances. They aren’t biodegradable.

Most solvents are inflammable, more or less dangerous for human beings and the environment.

Acid and alkali cleaners are caustic, i.e. they destroy the human tissue and contaminate water.

Prevention / reduction

Use the right quantity of chemical substances and enquire with professional resellers about environment friendly alternatives.
Before buying specific cleaners, check if you really need them.

In many cases less is more and using the right dosage can help you save money.

Use detergents and cleaning products which are environmental friendly. Take notes of guidance on www.shop-green.lu.

Recycling / environment correct disposal

Solvents collected separately are distilled and returned into the economic circuit.
Mixtures of solvents undergo high temperature treatment in appropriate installations. Chemicals undergo high temperature treatment in appropriate installations in order to destroy toxic substances.

IMPORTANT! Chemicals, solvents and cleaning agents do not belong in the residual waste, toilet or sink! Do not mix or incinerate!

Potentiel de ressources

In addition to body cleansing and laundry, cleaning the home and household is one of the basic needs of modern society. Regular cleaning is also a crucial prerequisite for hygiene and thus for health care. But beware – all chemicals we use for washing and cleaning do not disappear, but can find their way back to us via the environment.

Some of the ingredients used in detergents and cleaning products can be a heavy burden on the water bodies and trigger (skin) allergies in consumers. Particularly problematic are highly corrosive drain and pipe cleaners as well as products with active chlorine such as sanitary cleaners, bleaches and disinfectants (eg Eau de Javel). Concentrated acids and alkalis damage the water and can have a direct impact on the flora and fauna of water bodies by changing the pH value. Even the presence of sewage treatment plants does not solve this problem.

In view of the various and sometimes sensitive materials used in the household today, especially in the kitchen, bathroom and toilet, care has a much higher priority than in the past. The selection of cleaning agents and detergents in supermarkets and specialist shops is therefore very large. A distinction is made between all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing detergents, toilet cleaners, lime and glass cleaners, lubricating soaps and many other products. Special products are often not really necessary. Often general-purpose or neutral cleaners, lime cleaners, dishwashing detergents, alcohol cleaners and abrasive powders are completely sufficient. The targeted use of high-quality microfibre cloths can significantly reduce the use of chemicals.

As part of the „Shop Green“ campaign of the SuperDrecksKëscht®, environmentally friendly detergents and cleaning products are highlighted with the “Shop Green” logo in participating retailers. The products recommended by SDK must meet strict criteria regarding ingredients such as surfactants, bleaching agents, builders, solvents, fragrances and additives, etc., as well as containers (e.g. use of recycled plastic). The selected criteria make it possible to minimise the impact of cleaning on the environment, especially water bodies, and the health of consumers.

  • Avoid using special cleaners wherever possible and use microfibre cloths, brushes, suction cups and other mechanical instruments instead. This means no water use and less water pollution.
  • Otherwise, use cleaning agents sparingly and properly and follow the dosing instructions.
  • Never mix several products. This can lead to undesirable chemical reactions.
  • Never fill cleaning products or other chemicals into unlabelled containers.
  • Use environmentally friendly products. Products labelled ‘Shop Green’ are tested, among other things, on the influence on water bodies and biodegradability in general.
  • Environmentally friendly cleaning agents are also chemicals. Therefore, store the products in such a way that children and pets do not have access to them.
  • Car and vehicle washing at home is generally not environmentally friendly. Modern car washes, on the other hand, use little water through recirculation and are strictly controlled with regard to their waste water.

Offers from the SDK Akademie on sustainable cleaning

Cleaning products

Detail information

General informations

Corona has accelerated it, the heat waves as part of climate change are doing the rest – the demand for private swimming pools has recently increased rapidly. But you should also think about the environment!

In Luxembourg, too, droughts are occurring more frequently as a result of climate change. A responsible and economical use of drinking water is therefore necessary. The energy consumption of pumps and filter systems should also not be neglected. Public swimming pools and bathing facilities are a sustainable alternative to your own pool. The water quality is managed and controlled here by professionals.

Other alternatives are swimming ponds or natural pools. A new trend are so-called living pools, which have biological water treatment.

Pool chemicals – think avoidance first

Should you nevertheless operate a private pool, please note the following:

  • First use mechanical cleaning methods (bottom vacuum cleaner, landing net, brush) or, in the case of larger systems, circulation via a filter system, such as a sand filter.
  • Only use chemical agents such as flocculants, algaecides, overwintering agents, pool cleaning agents, agents to adjust the pH value and disinfectants as intended. Improper use endangers health and the environment. Pay attention to dosing instructions
  • When storing, make sure that children or pets do not reach chemical products and do not store products (packaging can become brittle).

Elimination

Dispose of hazardous packaging (hazard symbol), leftovers and old products via the SuperDrecksKëscht® mobile collection system or in the Resources Center. Also pay attention to the information on the labels and enclosed information leaflets during disposal.

And the pool water?

In general, you should discharge treated pool water into the sewer system. Of course, the municipal regulations must be taken into account. So check with your community.

Of course, if you haven’t added any chemicals, you can use the water to water your plants and green areas or to feed your rainwater cistern.

The following chemical products are used in pool maintenance:

  • Disinfection: Reduction of microorganisms (especially fungi, bacteria) and other organic material (leaves, urine, dander).
  • pH regulation: Dosing/application of chemicals depends on the pH value.
  • Cleaning: Acidic or alkaline cleaners to remove mineral or organic deposits through continuous operation.

Pool chemicals

Detail information