Did you know that, because cleaning chemicals aren’t meant to be ingested, they aren’t regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)?
Because of this, cleaning products can contain a variety of potentially harmful ingredients that can be dangerous to you and Mother Earth, without your knowledge.
Brightly coloured packaging and the promise of a sparkling home can make you overlook dangerous chemicals in household cleaning products. But in order to protect yourself and your family (and the environment too!), you need to know how to spot dangerous cleaning products so that you can avoid them.
To help you do this, we’ve compiled a list of 7 harmful ingredients to look for when shopping for cleaning products.
Let’s get started!
1. Sodium Hydroxide (Chemical Formula: NaOH)
You may know sodium hydroxide by its common name, lye. It’s found in oven cleaners and drain unclogging solutions and is highly corrosive. In fact, it can burn your skin upon contact and inhalation will cause a sore throat.
Instead of bringing this dangerous chemical into your home, try creating a baking soda paste (1/2 a cup of baking soda and 3 or 4 tablespoons of water) to clean your oven.
When it comes to cleaning your drain, use a drain snake or a solution of baking soda and vinegar (1 cup of each). Pour the baking soda down the drain first, then the vinegar, running hot water down the drain when the bubbling subsides.
Environmental impact: In general use, lye or sodium hydroxide is not harmful to the environment. However, if it is dumped in very large and concentrated amounts into the environment, it can burn and kill plants and animals.
2. Ammonia (Chemical Formula: NH3)
Ammonia is commonly found in fixture polishing products and glass cleaners because it evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave streaks. But, achieving a streak-free mirror with ammonia comes with consequences. Ammonia fumes can cause respiratory issues and its fumes become poisonous when mixed with bleach.
Don’t worry, there’s a safe alternative! Vodka works just as well as ammonia, without the risk of developing respiratory issues. And next time you need to polish your faucet, use toothpaste – you’ll be surprised to discover how well it works!
Environmental Impact: Ammonia is found naturally in the environment and is part of the nitrogen cycle. However, high concentrations of ammonia in marine ecosystems can kill marine wildlife. Ammonia vapour is also toxic if inhaled, as we’ve already talked about. (Government of California Water Boards)
3. Chlorine (Chemical Symbol: Cl)
Chlorine is found in toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, mildew removers, even tap water. This might make it seem impossible to avoid, but you absolutely can.
Rather than using products with chlorine, use baking soda and vinegar! That’s right, this handy duo can do it all. From cleaning your toilet to whitening clothes, vinegar is incredibly useful and should always be kept in your cleaning kit.
To avoid exposing yourself to chlorine through showering or drinking tap water, you can install filters on your faucets and showerheads. However, in general, the concentration of chlorine in your water will be safe to drink and use.
Environmental Impact: Chlorine in the soil or in water can kill plants and animals (just think about how dangerous bleach can be). So, be mindful to not dump cleaning chemicals into nearby soil or marine ecosystems.
4. QUATS (Quarternary Ammonium Compounds)
Most cleaners labelled as “antibacterial” are made with QUATS, as well as many fabric softeners, both in liquid and sheet form. Though QUATS aren’t as harsh as something like sodium hydroxide, they still aren’t something you want to use in your home.
QUATS are antimicrobial, meaning they destroy the good bacteria along with the bad, opening the door for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They can also irritate your skin and cause respiratory disorders such as asthma.
Instead of traditional fabric softener, you can use, you guessed it, vinegar! Vinegar is non-toxic, removes residue from your clothes, and prevents static cling. When shopping for vinegar, you want to go with white vinegar, as apple cider and other types can stain.
If you need a disinfectant, give tea-tree oil a try. It’s both antibacterial and antifungal, and when mixed with vinegar makes an excellent all-purpose cleaner. Add your favorite essential oil for fragrance and you’re good to go!
5. 2-Butoxyethanol (2-Butoxyethan-1-ol)
A good rule of thumb is to avoid any ingredients that you can’t pronounce, which means 2-Butoxyethanol is out. And for good reason! This chemical found in window and multipurpose cleaners causes narcosis, in addition to liver and kidney damage.
When cleaning your mirrors, use vinegar with a splash of water and a newspaper. Rags leave streaks and paper towels are actually too abrasive for glass and can cause scratches and pits.
Again, for an all-purpose cleaner, make your own! Once you start using vinegar, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil, you’ll never go back to the harsh store-bought chemicals again.
6. Phthalates
At this point you may be thinking, why use essential oils for fragrance? Well, most other fragrances are made with compounds known as phthalates. Air fresheners, scented soaps, even certain toilet papers contain these harmful chemicals.
Phthalates can wreak havoc on your body, as they are endocrine disrupters. And because your body is absorbing the toxins through your skin and not your digestive system, the chemicals go directly to your organs.
Whenever possible, choose fragrance-free products. Again, essential oils work wonders and are all-natural. You can also try adding a few plants to your home, which have multiple health benefits on top of freshening the air.
Environmental Impact: At very small concentrations, phthalates cause reproductive problems in animals and hinder the development of their reproductive organs. They usually enter the environment through the manufacturing of plastics and the daily use of goods that contain phthalates (source).
7. Formaldehyde
When we think of formaldehyde, we probably think of its preservative uses. But formaldehyde and other chemicals that create it as a byproduct are used in many cleaning products.
Because the list of chemicals that create formaldehyde is so long, it’s best to look for products that are formaldehyde-free. If you can, always go with chemical free cleaning products that are only made with natural ingredients.
Now, this gets tricky. There aren’t strict regulations for labelling something as “natural”, so do your research before bringing anything into your home and avoid anything with fragrance or preservatives.
Environmental Impact (Formaldehyde): Formaldehyde is extremely toxic to aquatic life. When animals are exposed to this chemical, they can undergo behavioural changes, affect their reproduction, and lower their lifespan (source).
Avoid These Dangerous Cleaning Products
When shopping for cleaning products, the best thing you can do is read the label before making a purchase. With all of the safe choices on the market, as well as the option to make your own, avoiding dangerous cleaning products isn’t as difficult as it may seem!
We may not even associate cleaning products with the harmful chemicals within them, but it’s important to make the connection to prevent unintentionally endangering ourselves and our families.
Keep in mind that not all cleaners are bad, even if they do include some of the chemicals that we listed above. Just make sure the cleaner is from a reputable company and you follow all of their safety instructions.
Last of all, NEVER dump your cleaning chemicals down the drain or into a lake (or other aquatic ecosystems). Dispose of them properly with your city’s local hazardous waste collection program.
This post was kindly sponsored by PurBloc.com
