The Toxic Truth of Household Cleaners by Kelly Ann Stafford

Every time I reach under my kitchen sink to grab my household cleaners I often wonder if I’m doing more harm than good when it comes to keeping my house in order. And, I admit I am guilty of grabbing the cheapest cleaners on the shelf. However, I also admit that I now find myself thinking twice when I toss them into my cart. With a little investigation, I thought it was time to find out what exactly those cleaners contained and the potential health risks involved every time I embark on my cleansing quest.

Most of the time I use the same types of cleaners for each room and because we pretty much all have the same areas to clean, I tried to cover the basics. Glass cleaners, various floor surfaces, kitchens, bathrooms and woodwork. If you are using other cleaning supplies for more specific surface areas such as concrete floors, tile and grout and outdoor spaces, then you may need to expand your search to include those products to ensure your entire home is covered when investigating your cleaning habits and products.

Here is a list of my most common cleaners:

I understand that many people have their own preference in cleaning supplies, that being said, I encourage everyone to take a look under their cabinet and pick out your most commonly used products. Doing a little research can go a long way into understanding the long-term effects of you using those products. Ranging from your personal health, to those of your family, pets and even the environment are all at risk by some of the products we use on a regular basis.

Glass Cleaner – Windex

Ingredients -Ammonium hydroxide, Hexoxyethanol, Sulfonic Acids, Sodium Salts, Frangrance
Risks – Acute Aquatic Toxicity, Respiratory Problems, Skin Irritation, Nervous System Issues
Alternatives – Vinegar and Water

Wood Cleaner – Pledge

Ingredients – Water, Isoparrafin, Dimethicone, Octylphosphonic Acid, Nitrogen, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Polydimethylsiloxane, Aminomethyl Propanol, Fragrance, Proprietary Thickening Agent, Methylisothiazolinone
Risks – Acute Aquatic Toxicity, Respiratory Problems, Skin Irritation, Biodegradation
Alternatives – Put 2 tsp. Olive Oil in a 16 oz bottle. Add 20 drops of lemon oil. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Shake well.

Carpet Freshener – Arm and Hammer Pet Hair Vac-Away

Ingredients – Isobutane, Propane
Risks – Inhalation May Cause Drowsiness, Upper Respiratory Problems, Eye Irritation
Alternatives – Citris Magic Pets

Bathroom Cleaner –Scrubbing Bubbles

Ingredients – ButoxypropanolAlkyl, PolyglycosidePolyethylene, Oxide Ethoxylated Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTASodium, HydroxideFragrance
Risks – Development and Reproductive Risks, Respiratory Problems, Skin Irritation, Acute Aquatic Toxicity
Alternatives – Green Works

Kitchen Cleaner – Clorox Kitchen

Ingredients – Water, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Metasilicate
Risks – Respiratory Problems, Eye Irritation, Skin Irritation, Carcinogens,
Alternatives – Recycled Glass Container, Orange or Lemon peels, 1 tbsp Salt, Vinegar, Distilled Water, 5-10 drops Essential oil

After seeing so many of my personal products containing a variety of health risks, I have undoubtedly switched my cleaning habits to provide a more environmentally friendly approach while protecting my home, pets and family. And to be honest, I find that most of the time my home made cleaners are much more economical in the long run than simply grabbing my favorite brands off the store shelf. If you are looking to switch up your homes safety, then checking out your cleaning supplies is a fast, easy and most effective way to ensure your family is living in a clean, healthy and safe environment.