Why to Make the Switch to Natural Cleaning Products- How Toxic is Your Household Cleaner?

April 20, 2011 - PRLog -- There are many toxic and potentially lethal household-cleaning products; in fact the average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic of it each year. The switch to natural products is crucial as most commercial cleaning products wind up in the air we breath, the water we consume, and the soil we grow our crops, where they can have a detrimental and irreversible harm to animals and humans.

These toxic cleaning products contain such dangerous ingredients as neurotoxins (cause nerve damage), carcinogens (cause cancer), allergens, heavy metals, and many other agents that can cause respiratory and behavioral problems, reproductive abnormalities, and other negative health issues.

The ingredients found in commercial cleaning products find their way back into the environment by means of human waste; flushing down the toilet, sprayed into the air, thrown away, either in the garbage or the ground, and poured down the drains. This contributes to the damaging effects of the ozone layers depletion, groundwater pollution, and contaminated soil.

Wondering what these ingredients are? Well here are just a few of the culprits.

•   Formaldehyde, which is found in furniture, furniture-cleaning products, such as polishes, and other cleaning products, is a known carcinogen in animals, and a potential human cancer-causing agent.
•   Phthalates disrupt hormone function and can have been linked to genetics defects in both humans and animals. Found in furniture polishes and other cleaning products.
•   Trisodium nitrilotriacetate, found in laundry detergents, has been seen as a possible carcinogen. It can also disrupt the elimination of toxin metals in wastewater treatment factories.
•   Napthas and mineral spirits are neurotoxins and are also a hazardous waste as they contaminate the air and water. These toxins are also found in furniture polishes and other cleaning products.
•   Sodium hydroxide and Sulfuric acid, mostly found in drain cleaners and other bathroom cleaners, can change the pH of water that goes to the lakes, ponds and oceans, and can kill the fish.
•   Ether (type) Solvents, butyl collusive, methylene chloride, and petroleum distillates, commonly found in oven cleaners and other kitchen cleaners, are hazardous, and contaminate the air, as well as water and soil.
•   Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite), is possibly the most used household cleaner, as it is available in many detergents, by itself and in many other cleaning products. This cleaner is extremely toxic to fish and other sea creatures, as it can bind with organic compounds in the water to form organochlorines, which break down slowly in the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissues of creature that live and drink for the water that has been contaminated by the bleach. It is extremely toxic to organisms that live in the water, but also in the soil.

There are many other ingredients such as VOCs, SVOCs/POMs, Biocides, Pyrethroids, PCBs, PAHs, Organophosphates, which can cause harm to the environment, but also to the animals we love, and our loved ones alike. Natural cleaning products usually are free of many of these ingredients, though you will still need to read the label. Chances are if the product is USDA certified it is natural and is safe, but not always so be sure to read the all the fine print.

There are some great home recipes you can use for household cleaning as well. For example, vinegar removes mildew, grease and wax, and keeps windows clean. Lemon juice can be used to deodorize, clean glass, and is a great stain remover.

There are many companies that sell natural cleaning products and online stores to buy them. http://www.ecoHealthyLivingShop.com is a great place to shop for natural cleaning products. You can find Seventh Generation, Toni Naturals, and even Enviro-one. Enviro-One Multi-Use Green Cleaner™ in particular is a great cleaning tool and has been laboratory tested (for VOCs, SVOCs/POMs, Biocides, Pyrethroids, PCBs, PAHs, Organophosphates and Phthalates) and found to be absolutely nontoxic and harmless to humans and animals. It is so safe that even chemically sensitive people can use it with complete confidence and safety. This product, and many other natural cleaning products can be found at http://www.ecohealthylivingshop.com/cleaning-products.html. One thing to keep in mind when disposing of your old cleaning products is to be sure to dispose of them responsibly. For information on proper disposal in your area, contact your local or state department of solid waste disposal or household hazardous waste. The Environmental Protection Agency offers some general information as well.

Something else to consider is asking your place of work to make the switch to natural cleaners as well. These cleaners are great for the environment but also are safe for the people that use them. Remember to be safe, and responsible, and no matter if the product is organic or not, to keep cleaning products away from small children.

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