Institutional products
- These are purchased from a cleaning products distributor.
- They are often not available in retail stores in the community. For example, until recently, some of the newer and less hazardous accelerated hydrogen peroxide-based products have been available only through distributors.
- They are available as a concentrate that can be diluted with water for different cleaning tasks. Distributors will provide the dilution stations and labelled bottles that meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for hazard communication for the diluted products. It’s important when using a concentrate to dilute the product as recommended on the label.
- They come accompanied by Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) that you must have on site to satisfy OSHA rules.
- Institutional products are generally less expensive than similar products available in retail stores.
Most distributors carry products certified as safer by a third-party (Green Seal, EcoLogo, Design for the Environment).
Retail Products
- These are purchased at a retail store like a grocery store.
- They come available in ready-to-use containers or as concentrates such as bleach.
- Concentrated products do not come with dilution equipment, increasing health hazards for the user.
- Some are certified as safer by a third-party (Green Seal, EcoLogo, Design for the Environment).
- Safety data sheets must be downloaded from the internet or you may have to contact the manufacturer for a copy.
