Manufacturers of cleaning products are under no obligation to produce a list of ingredients, and even if they do, ingredients to many, aren’t a clear indication of whether a product is toxic or not.
It has become clear in recent years that staying healthy and buying a non-toxic cleaning product is essential. So, in this blog, we will outline 3 toxic cleaning products, evaluate what makes them toxic, and provide alternatives.
Why Should you Stay Clear of Toxic Cleaning Products?
Toxic cleaning products are bad for us and our environment, this is because they can cause illness in individuals. Studies show that exposure to chemicals from cleaning supplies lead to occupational asthma and other respiratory illnesses. This is why it’s essential to minimise the use of toxic cleaning to ensure that you stay healthy.
Toxic cleaning products have 3 main culprits, Parabens, Triclosan, and Phthalates, all of which are proven to be a detriment to humans.
Parabens:
Parabens are groups of chemicals, often used in cleaning and makeup products. However, parabens aren’t healthy for you, these chemicals have been proven to disrupt the hormones in your body which can have a pernicious effect on your well-being.
Triclosan:
Triclosan is another endocrine-disrupting chemical used in many toxic cleaning products. This is an antibacterial product, meaning it is used in some soaps, shampoos, and cosmetic products.
Although there is some evidence that Triclosan could be effective, there is also evidence from a short animal study which leads to suggest that this chemical can decrease the levels of thyroid hormones. This is bad as thyroid hormones control your metabolism and can cause other complications when affected.
Phthalates:
Phthalates are another common culprit in toxic cleaning products. These series of chemicals are used as plasticisers and have been linked to changes in hormone levels:
- Reduced sperm count and motility
- Birth defects in the male reproductive system
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Thyroid irregularities.
Which Household Cleaning Products are Toxic?
Air Fresheners
Most air fresheners are toxic. Air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and phthalates. This means that you are exposed to increased levels of cancer-inducing agents. By simply avoiding using air fresheners, you are at a much lower risk of the pernicious effects of hormone disrupters.
Not only are air fresheners toxic, but they can also catch fire.
Non-toxic air freshener:
Finding a non-toxic air freshener can be challenging and potentially more expensive and time-consuming. The best way to overcome this challenge is to make your own air freshener with natural, safe ingredients. This way you know that your air freshener is safe and you’re not breathing in harmful chemicals.
How to make a homemade air freshener?
Just mix one teaspoon of rubbing alcohol with 30 drops of essential oils of your choice and ½ a cup of distilled water and mix. Pour the contents into a spray bottle and shake.
Bleach
Bleach is another toxic cleaning product that is extremely unsafe. Since 1818, hydrogen peroxide has been used around the world as a popular disinfectant. Despite these uses, bleach becomes very toxic very quickly.
Firstly, inhaling bleach is especially pernicious for those with allergies or other respiratory conditions. Bleach that has been left in the water can raise pH levels significantly and kill plant and animal life and is also corrosive. This means it can damage clothes and is capable of burning or eating away at skin, stainless steel, and fabrics.
Non-Toxic Bleach
Luckily, there are alternatives to a strong bleach solution, namely, 3% hydrogen peroxide. Commercially, this product was used as a bleaching agent for hats and to restore paintings. This product mixed with vinegar, or on it’s own makes for a powerful cleaner and can be used for many different applications.
Carpet Cleaner
Carpet cleaner has been shown to pose severe health risks because of the chemicals contained. The harsh chemicals in carpet cleaner also make it a dangerous chemical for pets and can cause illness and other skin-related problems due to its degreasing nature.
Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaner
Non-toxic carpet cleaners can be extremely hard to find and there is a downside to non-toxic carpet cleaners; they are expensive. This is why it might be a good idea to use natural cleaners such as baking soda with lemon juice and white vinegar. This combination of ingredients creates a natural cleaning solution however, can require a lot of hard work scrubbing, etc.
With natural ingredients that you have made yourself, you can be assured that you are left with a safe compound and a nice clean carpet!
Reducing Toxicity in Your Home:
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the typical American spends about 90% of his or her time indoors and levels of indoor air pollutants may be the maximum amount 100 times greater than levels outdoors. This means that sitting at home could be more hazardous than going outside for a walk!
This is why it’s essential to make sure you use non-toxic cleaning products in your home and increase the safety of your living environment.
Galleon Supplies
If you are in need of any cleaning supplies at an affordable price or want to know how Galleon Supplies can assist you with hygiene products at work. Feel free to contact us. Our dedicated team of experts is more than happy to help you answer any questions you may have and look forward to speaking with you.
This article was written by Tim Bench of Galleon Supplies
