By: Sarah Zitin

Cleaning products are items we use daily. If you have children and/or pets, it’s particularly important to make sure your cleaning products are non-toxic and safe. There are numerous toxic chemicals in almost all conventional cleaning products. *These chemicals are known to cause cancer and any number of other autoimmune problems. 

“*KEY POINTS: A linked cohort study notes an association between use of household cleaning products early in life and risk of childhood wheezing and asthma at age 3 years. Accumulating evidence shows that household cleaning products increase the risk of asthma across age groups.” 

They are absorbed by humans and animals through the lungs, skin and other orifices, and when used on a daily basis, are dangerous to you, young children, animals and the environment.

*Results: Professional cleaning products are mixtures of substances (arithmetic mean 3.5±2.8), and more than 132 different chemical substances were identified in 105 products. 

These particular chemicals, to name only a few, are found in many, almost all, conventional cleaning products:

*EWG- Environmental Working Group

• Formaldehyde.
• Mercury.
• Lead.
• Asbestos.
• Hazardous/Toxic Air Pollutants.
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
• Pesticide Chemicals. Glyphosate.
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Most of us are aware that these particular chemicals cause damage to the central nervous system and organs in the body. There are volumes of information on the subject, so it’s not idle conjecture. This is the real deal!

It’s just as easy to purchase non-toxic products, and in the long run, not more expensive. Your health has no price tag! 

Read what the Environmental Working Group has to say about cleaning products, chemicals and your health. In light of this reality, what can you do instead?

Buy sustainable and eco-friendly products which, thanks to modern science and research, are everywhere. In the past 10 years, brands have been creating new green products for home use to avoid these chemicals. 

1. Check the labels of the products you use and follow the instructions to make sure you handle and store them safely. Hazard pictograms show what kind of damage the product can cause to your health and/or the environment. Labels also have information on what to do if there is an accident.
2. Choose environmentally-friendly detergents with an official ecolabel – for example, the EU ecolabel or the Nordic ecolabel.
3. Always use cleaning products according to the instructions. Some products can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin and eyes. Dishwasher detergents, decalcification agents and oven cleaners may also seriously harm your health if not handled properly.
4. Remember to store your cleaning products away from children or pets. Be careful to not mix different cleaning products together or to change their container to store content.*

How can cleaning supplies, household products affect health?

Many cleaning supplies or household products can irritate the eyes or throat, or cause headaches and other health problems. Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature. Even natural fragrances such as citrus can react to produce dangerous pollutants indoors.

VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems such as allergic reactions and headaches. Studies also link exposure to chemicals from cleaning supplies to occupational asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Cleaning supplies and household products containing VOCs and other toxic substances can include, but are not limited to:

• Aerosol spray products, including health, beauty and cleaning products;
• Air fresheners;
• Chlorine bleach*;
• Detergent and dishwashing liquid;
• Dry cleaning chemicals;
• Rug and upholstery cleaners;
• Furniture and floor polish; and
• Oven cleaners.

*Never mix bleach or any bleach-containing product with any cleaner containing ammonia. The gasses created from this combination can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death.

Here are Alternatives to Conventional Cleaning Products:

For Bed Sheets: This product was tested in The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Cleaning Lab and called “Genius.”

• Washing machine stays balanced and the laundry comes out cleaner.
• Bed sheets dry up to 75% faster with fewer wrinkles.
• Drastically reduces wet items getting trapped in sheets.
• Reduces wear-and-tear on appliances.
• Works on any size flat or fitted sheet.
• Safe for appliances and sheets when following fabric care instructions and product instructions.
• Non-toxic. No latex, PVC, BPA, or phthalates.
• Made in the USA from USA-sourced materials.

Dish Soap: This dish soap is a plant derived formula that works on grease with no streaks, is an eco friendly cleaning product designed for multi-purpose cleaning. Add water to activate cleaning agents.

Plant Pod: Ingredients: sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, citric acid, white distilled vinegar, H202 hydrogen peroxide (biodegradable bleach), natural coloring, natural plant oil (eucalyptus, lemon, lavender)

Additional Details:

Vegan, made with soybean oil ink and sugarcane adhesive.

Natural ingredients and compostable packaging, toxic chemicals and plastic removed.

Minimized carbon emissions, filler ingredients removed to decrease weight.

Pure essential oils. No synthetic fragrances. Super Deluxe Dish Soap.

Green All Purpose Spray: is a plant derived formula. Works had on any surface. Great for countertops, appliances, and tile. Pure essential oil. No synthetic fragrances.

Laundry Detergent: is a highly concentrated formula, made with only four ingredients that dissolve quickly in cold or hot water. The WOW stick will help with stains – it’s included in the bundle too – it’s made with natural ingredients and free from dyes and synthetic fragrances. To brighten your fabrics: use Oxygen Brightener, a safe, chlorine-free alternative to bleach that penetrates stains and keeps your colors bright and your whites white. 

In Conclusion:

These are only a handful of the numerous eco-friendly products on the market today. You can also use simple household products like vinegar, baking soda, salt and a handful of natural substances for cleaning. When in doubt, make the healthy choice for you, your children, your pets, and the environment. The environment is also sensitive to toxic chemicals, and the more we protect it from carbon, chemicals and other pollutants, the better chance we have to reverse the damaging effects of climate change.