According to environmental experts, the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals. Many of these chemicals can be found in household cleaners. Toxins in these products have been linked with health problems ranging from asthma to cancer, neurotoxicity, reproductive disorders, and hormone disruption.

With all the toxins these common household cleaners contain, they are not safe for you, your family, or even your pets. The best way to ensure you are not polluting your home and risking health complications is to make the switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Non-toxic household cleaners have a variety of benefits, but most importantly, they don’t contain the harmful chemicals and toxins that are commonly found in many conventional cleaning products. In this blog, we are going to review some of the most dangerous chemicals found in cleaning products that should be avoided.

2-Butoxyethanol

Wow, try pronouncing this one. Commonly found in most kitchen, window, and multipurpose cleaners, 2-Butoxyethanol is responsible for giving these cleaning products their “sweet” smell. Belonging to the “glycol ethers” category, this an ingredient that is known for causing sore throats when inhaled and skin and eye irritation upon exposure. Not to mention, at high levels, glycol ethers can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.

Phthalates

Commonly found in air fresheners and fragranced cleaning products, phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors, which can lead to reproductive problems, developmental disorders, and more. According to a study conducted by research teams from The Center of Disease Control and Prevention in 2003, males with higher phthalate compounds in their blood had correspondingly reduced sperm counts. Although exposure to phthalates mainly occurs through inhalation, it can also happen through skin contact with scented body washes and soaps, which is a major problem most people do not recognize.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an active ingredient that is commonly found in antibacterial cleaning products, such as dish soaps and disinfectants. This ingredient is a contributor to the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It can affect your body’s endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, reproduction, sleep, and mood — to name a few. Upon exposure, it can also cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

Ammonia

Ammonia is an effective polishing agent that evaporates without leaving behind streaks, which is why it is commonly found in bathroom, window, and surface cleaners. While it may be great for getting areas around the house clean and sparkling, unfortunately, it is an extremely harsh irritant that can cause respiratory problems and skin and eye irritation after prolonged exposure.  The fumes from cleaners with ammonia are known to trigger symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, fever, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and vomiting, asthma, and increased blood pressure. Not to mention, when mixed with bleach, it creates a highly-poisonous chloramine gas.

Sodium Hydroxide

Otherwise known as lye, sodium hydroxide is very toxic due to its highly-corrosive nature. It is most commonly found in oven and bathroom cleaning products, as well as drain uncloggers and certain disinfectants. If it comes into contact with your skin or gets in your eyes, it can cause severe burns. The most common routes of exposure include skin contact and inhalation — inhaling sodium hydroxide can cause a painful sore throat that no cough syrup or lozenge can fix.

Chlorine

When you think of chlorine, you more than likely think of pools. However, chlorine comes in many forms other than pool cleaners, including table salt, or sodium chloride, to toxic chlorine gas. Elemental chlorine, which is produced from brine by electrolysis, is often used as a commercial bleach and is commonly an ingredient that is found in household cleaning products, including toilet bowl cleaners, laundry whitener or bleaches, and scouring powders. Chlorine is also a respiratory irritant and can trigger symptoms like eye irritation, coughing, and chest pains.

Where to Buy Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

After reading this article, you’re probably more than ready to start eliminating toxic household cleaners from beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks and throughout the rest of your home. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthier, safe household cleaners available today, but deciding which ones are truly healthier or just designed to look that way isn’t so easy.

That’s why Tony Fleming Enterprises provides clients with only the best household cleaners that are safer for you, your family, and even your pets. To learn more about non-toxic cleaning and wellness, contact Tony today!