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Overview
Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner by Bona has earned asthma & allergy friendly® Certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Rigorous testing by Airmid Healthgroup demonstrated the product’s ability to reduce allergen levels on wooden floors while meeting stringent standards for VOC emissions and ingredient safety. The cleaner achieved allergen removal rates of over 93% for house dust mite allergens and 96% for cat allergens, making it a trusted choice for healthier indoor environments.
Background
About Bona:
Bona is a global leader in innovative floor care solutions, committed to producing effective and safe cleaning products that support healthier living spaces.
About Airmid Healthgroup:
Airmid specializes in validating health-related claims for products used in the built environment. With expertise in allergen research, environmental chamber testing, and certification support, Airmid provides reliable data to confirm product performance and compliance.
Context:
Floor surfaces are significant reservoirs for allergens, including house dust mite allergen and pet dander. Effective cleaning is critical to reducing these allergens without increasing airborne particle levels. Bona sought independent validation of its Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner’s ability to reduce allergens while maintaining safety and compliance with VOC emission standards.
The Challenge
For Bona’s Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner to achieve asthma & allergy friendly® Certification, it needed to meet the following criteria:
- Ingredient Safety: Ensure that individual constituents are non-allergenic and non-sensitizing.
- Low VOC Emissions: Comply with certification thresholds for VOCs, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
- Allergen Removal Efficacy: Demonstrate the ability to reduce surface allergens effectively without increasing airborne particle levels during cleaning.
Goals
- Primary Goal: Achieve asthma & allergy friendly® Certification by meeting or exceeding standards for allergen removal, VOC emissions, and ingredient safety.
- Secondary Goal: Provide consumers with a scientifically validated cleaning solution that promotes healthier indoor environments.
Solution/Approach
Airmid Healthgroup conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner against the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification standard for non-disinfecting hard surface cleaners:
- Ingredient and Emissions Review:
- All product constituents were assessed for allergenic or sensitizing potential.
- VOC emissions, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, were measured using ASTM D116-10 and California Specification 01350 Test Methods to ensure compliance with certification thresholds.
- Controlled Allergen Removal Testing:
- Testing was conducted in Airmid’s environmental test chambers, where wooden floors were coated with allergen test dust containing house dust mite allergen and cat allergens.
- A surface sticking agent ensured allergens adhered to the floor as they would in real-life conditions.
- Allergen Removal Evaluation:
- Floors were cleaned using Bona’s mop system with the Free & Simple cleaning solution.
- The reduction of allergens on the floor surface was quantified and compared to control results.
- Airborne Allergen and Particle Monitoring:
- Airborne particles and allergens were monitored during and after cleaning to ensure no significant increases occurred compared to standard controls.
Key Results
- Allergen Removal Performance:
- 93.33% reduction in house dust mite (Der p 1) allergens from wooden floors.
- 96.71% reduction in cat (Fel d 1) allergens from wooden floors.
- Ingredient Safety and Low VOC Emissions:
- The product met certification thresholds for VOC emissions and ingredient safety, ensuring suitability for sensitive individuals.
- Airborne Allergen Control:
- Cleaning did not result in a significant increase in airborne allergen or particle levels.
Impact
Healthier Indoor Environments: Bona’s Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner helps reduce allergens on wooden floors, contributing to improved indoor air quality.
Consumer Confidence: Certification by AAFA provides consumers with a trusted, scientifically validated product for allergy and asthma management.
Market Leadership: Bona’s innovative approach sets a new benchmark for floor cleaning products, combining effectiveness with safety.
Lessons Learned
- Effective Cleaning Is Key: Properly designed cleaning solutions can significantly reduce allergen burdens on floors without contributing to airborne exposure.
- Certification Builds Trust: Independent testing and certification provide consumers with confidence in product performance and health benefits.
- Ingredient Safety Matters: Comprehensive reviews of product composition ensure suitability for sensitive individuals.
Contact Us
Interested in validating your cleaning technology or other products? Contact Airmid Healthgroup to learn how our comprehensive testing services can help you achieve impactful results and consumer trust.
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