Did you know the average American uses 40 pounds of toxic household cleaning products each year? These cleaning products aren’t just terribly detrimental to the environment; they can negatively affect the health of you and your family members. Think about how you use cleaning products: they are sprayed into the air, poured into sinks, flushed down toilets, and dumped into landfills. When put into landfills or incinerated, the noxious ingredients from the cleaning products seep into soil and water, and cause harm to people and animals. The harmful ingredients in cleaning products contain carcinogens, heavy metals, and nervous system depressants that contribute to allergy problems, respiratory issues, and even cancer. Below is a chart of toxic chemicals commonly found in cleaning products:
| Phosphates | Dishwasher & Laundry Detergent | Phosphates cause algae bloom that is toxic to fish, plants, and people who drink the water. |
| Chlorine Bleach | Detergents & Other Products | They break down slowly in the environment and can build up in the fatty tissue of animals. |
| Napthas | Furniture Polish | They are neurotoxins that contaminate the air and water. |
| Phthalates | Furniture Polish | Cause genetic defects in humans and animals & disrupts hormones. |
| Formaldehyde | Furniture Polish & Other Products | Cancer causing in humans and animals. |
Keep your family safe by making the switch to all natural non-toxic cleaning products. Items that are found in common household kitchens can be used as eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. Baking soda, cornstarch, isopropyl alcohol, lemon juice, and vinegar can all do double duty as natural cleaners. The eco-conscious options for cleaning products available in grocery stores keeps growing, so as a consumer it is becoming just as easy to pick up a non-toxic cleaning product when shopping.
A common worry when making the switch to all natural cleaners is they won’t work as well as the tried and true brands and products we have grown up with and become accustomed to. The truth is that often times plain old soap and water is the best cleaner of them all, and even the big name cleaning products can’t compete. Chemical cleaners can actually breed “super bacteria” that is resistant to soap and water. Toxic cleaning products warn you not to inhale or get near your eyes because they are so hazardous to your health. There are many eco-friendly products that you could safely ingest without harming your body. Also keep in mind that mixing chemical cleaners can be extremely harmful or even deadly. Mixing cleaners made with natural ingredients is not only safe, but it can sometimes make them even more powerful.
Make the switch to all natural cleaners to reduce the harm done to you, your family, and the environment. Using products from the earth won’t damage the earth the way toxic chemicals will. You’ll feel better knowing you’re being environmentally responsible in helping the water, soil, and air stay clean for your children, their children, and the generations to come.
Sites Cited
http://volunteerguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/natural-cleaning-products.htm
http://www.thegreenlivingexpert.com/organiccleaningproducts.html
Great article. It’s so true that we’re becoming smarter consumers all the time, and it seems like that’s also prompting companies to come out with healthier options. Thanks!