Fact: The average household contains anywhere from 3-25 gallons of toxic materials, most of these found in our cleaners we use all the time. It is time to make our homes safer for our families. With all of the toxic chemicals we expose our bodies to on a daily basis, we need to start taking control of the aspects that we do have power over and start making some changes. There is no reason why we should be exposing our bodies and our families to the harsh chemical toxins found in many of today's cleaning products. Organic cleaning supplies could just be the best way out of exposing our families to toxic cleaners. Make the switch now to all natural cleaning products!
The first step towards making your home safer for your family is to get rid of any toxic cleaners you have in your home. You may be surprised to find what some of your favorite products have in them to make them "more effective" at getting rid of that dirt and grime. With todays manufacturing processes and the years of research and development that have gone into the production of many of the green cleaning products available in most retail locations today, there is absolutely NO reason to buy cleaning products with these toxic chemicals.
Here is a list of some different chemicals you should watch out for and which types of products usually contain them:
- Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), common in detergents and disinfectants, are suspected hormone disruptors.
- Ammonia is poisonous when swallowed, extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled and can burn the skin on contact.
- Indiscriminate use of Antibacterial cleansers containing triclosan may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs.
- Butyl cellosolve (aka butyl glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl) is poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant.
- Chlorine bleach (aka sodium hypochlorite), an all-purpose whitening agent, can irritate the lungs and eyes and in waterways can become toxic organochlorines.
- Dishwasher detergents
- Hot water ->steam chlorine gas
- Hot water ->steam chlorine gas
- Bleach is common use of chlorine
- Substitute hydrogen peroxide, bleaches that use oxygen or peroxide
- Substitute hydrogen peroxide, bleaches that use oxygen or peroxide
- Diethanolamine (DEA) can combine with nitrosomes (often-undisclosed preservatives) to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that penetrate skin.
- Fragrance frequently contains phthalates, chemicals linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver cancer in lab animals and to asthma in children.
- Phosphates soften water for detergents but contribute to algae blooms in our waterways, which can kill off fish populations.
- Sodium hydroxide, found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, is extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn those tissues on contact.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin and cause contact dermatitis.
- Petroleum based surfactants, chlorine, phosphates
Just by eliminating these particular chemicals from your home, you could be making all the difference in your families well being. With the higher risk of cancer and ever increasing rates of headaches, asthma, and other problems, we need to take action to rid ourselves of these potential causes. Give your home a real clean sweep and start cleaning with eco friendly cleaning products now!
