When it comes to keeping your home sparkling clean, having the right cleaning products can make all the difference. Two popular and effective options are Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners. But which one should you choose?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners across a range of factors to help you decide which is the better fit for your cleaning needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Simple Green | 30 Second Cleaners |
| Main Ingredients | Lemon extract, salt of fatty acid | Bleach, hydrogen peroxide |
| Safety Profile | Non-toxic, biodegradable | Harsher chemicals, strong fumes |
| Scent | Mild citrus | Strong chemical scent |
| Cleaning Time | Requires more scrubbing | Fast 30 second cleaning |
| Product Range | All-purpose, many formulations | Specialized cleaners for specific jobs |
| Price Per Bottle | Around $5 per 32 oz | Around $5 per 19 oz |
| Environmental Impact | Low impact, plant-based | Higher impact from chemicals |
Overview of Simple Green and 30 Second Cleaners
- What is Simple Green?
Simple Green is an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces throughout your home.
It is biodegradable, phosphate-free, and made from plant-based ingredients like lemon extract and salt of fatty acid.
Simple Green is highly versatile – it can be used full-strength for tough cleaning jobs or diluted with water for lighter cleaning.
It cleans by lifting dirt from surfaces so it can be easily rinsed away.
- What are 30 Second Cleaners?
30 Second cleaners refer to a range of fast-acting cleaners that claim to work in just 30 seconds. Some popular brands include 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner, 30 Seconds Shower Cleaner, and 30 Seconds Window Cleaner.
These cleaners contain strong cleaning agents like bleach and hydrogen peroxide to deliver quick cleaning results. They work by effectively cutting through grease, grime, mildew, and soap scum.
Comparing Key Factors
Now let’s compare Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners across some of the most important factors:
- Effectiveness
When used properly, both Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners are highly effective at cleaning.
Simple Green requires a bit more scrubbing but its gentle formula can cut through dirt, grease, grim, and more from most surfaces in your home. It works best when warm water is used.
30 Second cleaners offer the convenience of faster cleaning without scrubbing. Their powerful formulas allow them to penetrate and dissolve messes in just 30 seconds. This makes them ideal for situations where you need to clean quickly.
- Safety
Simple Green has a much better safety profile than 30 Second cleaners.
Simple Green is non-toxic, biodegradable, and emits no harsh fumes.
It does not contain any VOCs, bleach, phosphates, or ammonia.
This makes it safe for people, pets, and the planet when used as directed.
30 Second cleaners contain stronger chemicals like bleach and hydrogen peroxide.
They need to be handled carefully and can produce fumes and vapors. Many formulations also contain VOCs and other harsh ingredients, making them less eco-friendly.
- Cost
Simple Green is very competitively priced. A 32oz bottle costs around $5 while a gallon costs approximately $15. It also offers versatility since one bottle can tackle many different cleaning needs.
30 Second cleaners are a bit pricier, with a 19oz bottle costing around $5. Since you need separate formulations for different purposes, the costs can add up. However, the convenience of faster cleaning may justify the higher price for some consumers.
- Ease of Use
Both cleaners are easy to use, but Simple Green offers more flexibility. Simple Green can be diluted for light or heavy duty cleaning. 30 Second cleaners are pre-mixed so you just need to apply them and wait 30 seconds. However, you’ll need separate bottles for different applications.
One advantage of 30 Second cleaners is that no scrubbing or rinsing is required after application. Simple Green requires a bit more physical effort to scrub surfaces and rinse thoroughly.
- Scent
Simple Green has a pleasant, mild citrus scent. 30 Second cleaners have stronger chemical scents during use from ingredients like bleach. For some consumers, the stronger scent signals that the product is powerfully cleaning. Others may find the Simple Green scent more pleasant.
- Product Range
Simple Green offers an extensive range of specialty cleaning products for the whole home including formulations for wood, stainless steel, granite, windows, carpets, automobiles and more.
30 Second cleaners focus more on key tasks like shower cleaning, window cleaning, and outdoor surface cleaning. There are fewer specialty formulations. However, the flagship products target some of the most frequent and troublesome cleaning needs.
- Environmental Impact
Due to its plant-based formula, Simple Green is one of the most environmentally-friendly cleaners available. It is biodegradable and phosphate-free.
Most 30 Second cleaners contain bleach, ammonia, VOCs, and other harsh chemicals. This makes them less eco-friendly, although some brands are starting to introduce greener formulations.
- Brand Reputation
Simple Green is a well-established brand founded in 1975. It has earned a mainstream following and largely positive reviews over nearly 50 years in business. The company focuses heavily on eco-friendly practices.
30 Second cleaners encompass a variety of newer brands. While effectiveness is generally rated highly by users, some buyers feel the cleaners are overpriced for what they offer. More options exist today for eco-friendly formulations.
How To Choose Between Simple Green And 30 Second Cleaners?
So which cleaner is better for your home? Here are some things to consider when deciding between Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners:
- Cleaning Power – If you need to power through tough buildup and grime as quickly as possible, 30 Second cleaners provide more immediate results. For routine cleaning or more delicate surfaces, Simple Green is the gentler option.
- Safety and Fumes – Simple Green is the safer choice around kids, pets, and anyone sensitive to strong scents or chemicals. It’s ideal if you want an eco-friendly cleaner.
- Surface Variety – Do you need an all-purpose cleaner or something tailored for specific surfaces? Simple Green offers more formulation options.
- Convenience – 30 Second cleaners require less physical effort. Simple Green needs a bit more scrubbing. Convenience may be the deciding factor if you have mobility challenges.
- Cost – If budget is a major factor, Simple Green provides effective cleaning at a lower price point. But 30 Second cleaners may justify the cost if fast cleaning is vital.
Consider your unique needs and cleaning scenarios to choose the better fit. For most thorough whole-home cleaning, Simple Green is the workhorse that can tackle almost any surface. Use 30 Second cleaners where fast-acting punch is needed for niche jobs like shower scum.
Combining both in your cleaning toolkit gives you the versatility to clean smarter based on each situation. And be sure to follow all label directions to use either cleaner safely and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, 30 Second Cleaner contains more than just bleach. It does contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach) as the active cleaning ingredient. However, it also contains additional proprietary ingredients to help lift stains, dissolve grime, prevent corrosion, and deliver quick cleaning results. So while bleach is a key component, there are other chemical agents in the 30 Second Cleaner formula.
Sodium hypochlorite, also known as bleach, is the main cleaning agent in most 30 Second cleaner formulations. Bleach helps break down stubborn stains, disinfect surfaces, and whiten materials. The amount of bleach varies between 3% to 10% based on the specific product. Other ingredients like surfactants, fragrances, and stabilizers are added to enhance cleaning performance.
Some good options for washing your deck include:
Oxygen bleach: Made from hydrogen peroxide, oxygen bleach helps brighten wood and remove stains without harsh chemicals. Look for brands like OxiClean.
Liquid chlorine bleach: For tougher mold and mildew stains, liquid chlorine bleach can be effective when diluted. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
Sodium percarbonate: This releases hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water for eco-friendly cleaning power. Look for products like Oxiclean Hardwood and Deck Cleaner.
Simple Green: The original Simple Green or Simple Green Pro HD heavy duty cleaner work well for outdoor wood surfaces.
No matter what solution you use, be sure to wet the deck, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, rinse thoroughly, and allow wood to fully dry. Always test a small area first.
Some of the top uses for 30 Seconds cleaners include:
1. Removing soap scum and hard water stains from showers and tubs
2. Cleaning grease, oil and rust stains from concrete driveways and garages
3. Getting rid of mildew and algae from outdoor siding and fences
4. Brightening dingy tile and grout
5. Cleaning and disinfecting sinks and toilets
6. Washing windows, mirrors and glass to remove dirt and streaks
7. Reviving patio and decking areas prone to mold and mildew
8. Cleaning outdoor grills by breaking up baked-on grease
The fast-acting formulas help tackle some of the most stubborn cleaning challenges in just 30 seconds without scrubbing. They are stronger than regular cleaners so handle them with care and ventilate well when using indoors.
The Bottom Line
Simple Green and 30 Second cleaners both offer effective cleaning for home and outdoor surfaces. Simple Green provides a versatile, eco-friendly option while 30 Second cleaners emphasize speed and convenience.
Consider the unique needs of each cleaning task and choose the better formula for the job. For broad surface compatibility and lower cost choose Simple Green. To power through specific tough messes quickly, use a targeted 30 Second cleaner.
No matter which brand you choose, always refer to label directions to ensure safe, appropriate use for powerful cleaning results. With the right products and techniques, you can keep your home sparkling clean from top to bottom.
