Commercial cleaners do an excellent cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting job. But do you know how toxic your household cleaning products can be? The list of harmful chemicals is long, and these can trigger severe health problems.
Manufacturers of cleaning supplies must label all substances in their products and adhere to safety regulations. But that’s not a guarantee these cleaners aren’t harmful. Here, we explain which household cleaning products to avoid and suggest non-toxic alternatives for house cleaning.
Feel free to contact us today at TLC Cleaning, and we’ll take care of your house cleaning fast and with utmost safety!
Three Commercial Cleaning Products to Avoid
Commercial household cleaners can contain toxic chemicals, including VOCs, that can affect your health. Some might have an immediate impact, like skin issues and burns. Others tend to cause long-term health problems and conditions like cancer, respiratory illnesses, and even fertility issues.
Below, we listed conventional cleaning products that can potentially harm your health.
1. Air Fresheners
It’s great when your home smells nice, so you probably rely on air fresheners to mask less pleasant smells. That’s a mistake, as many studies have shown that these products can be harmful during prolonged use.
Air fresheners contain essential oils, which are natural compounds, but there are also artificial scents. Scientists have found a connection between these synthetic matters and cancer development. Also, they can cause problems with the nervous system and infertility.
2. Household Cleaners
Your usual household cleaners can indeed wipe the hidden dirt and germs on the surface. But you might have to think about using them again once you know these facts:
- Oven cleaners and drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, which is a corrosive agent good for cleaning dirt deposits and clogs. Because of this feature, this substance is harsh to your skin and can cause severe burns.
- Most commercial window cleaners contain glycol ether and ammonia, which can cause sore throat and asthma attacks. In higher amounts, these can trigger more severe conditions like skin burns, liver damage, and pulmonary edema.
- Toilet bowl cleaners contain abrasives that cause chemical burns. These products also have chlorine bleach, which isn’t harmful; however, chemical reactions with quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) can release a toxic gas that can be lethal in high concentrations.
3. Laundry Products
Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets do wonders for your laundry, but you’re probably unaware of what they can do to your health. The Environmental Working Group conducted research showing that household cleaning products contain a bunch of harmful ingredients.
Chemicals like formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic dyes, and scents can irritate the skin, and their inhaling can trigger respiratory issues. Prolonged exposure to QACs from a laundry detergent can damage your lungs and gastrointestinal organs.
Not only do these fragrant products trigger health risks, but they also threaten the environment. Wastewater that goes into the plumbing system after washing clothes gets into waterways and soil, where it threatens ecosystems.
Four Non-toxic Cleaning Products
Commercial household chemicals are replaceable. You can use many safe and natural ingredients as excellent alternatives to toxic cleaners. We listed a few of them below.
- Baking soda: Due to its abrasive structure, baking soda is great for scrubbing and cleaning stubborn stains. Make a paste with water and use it on different surfaces, and you won’t have to use store-bought cleaners ever again.
- Vinegar: Mixed with water, vinegar is an excellent alternative to commercial glass cleaners. Also, a combination of vinegar and baking soda is great for toilet cleaning and unclogging drains.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Along with warm water and lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide makes one of the best multipurpose cleaners. Just don’t mix it with vinegar, as this combination can harm your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in your body.
- Borax: It’s a natural bleach you can use for doing laundry or removing stubborn stains. Also, it removes limescale from toilets, tubs, and sinks, especially when used with white vinegar.
We’ll add essential oils to this list, although they aren’t cleaners but rather serve as natural air fresheners. Add a few drops of essential oils to homemade cleaners or a diffuser, and your rooms will always smell fresh.
More Tips on Avoiding Harsh Chemicals from Cleaning Products
Whenever possible, use homemade cleaners, as they’re safe, budget-friendly, and easy to make. These are equally efficient as commercial ones but much easier on your health.
Sometimes, it’s inevitable to use store-bought cleaning products. When purchasing, look for those labeled as “fragrance-free” or “natural.” But be sure to always read labels carefully, as some of these claims might be just a marketing ploy.
Last, don’t mix commercial cleaners with other household cleaning products. If you have to use them, make sure to wear gloves and ventilate the room thoroughly to prevent respiratory problems. Always store chemicals in enclosed cabinets or high shelves so kids and pets can’t reach them.
Wrap Up
Regular house cleaning keeps your living space free of debris, dust, and harmful bacteria. Commercial products can help you with this, but you have to wonder at what cost. Until the cleaning industry doesn’t make all cleaners chemical-free, you’re on your own with homemade cleaning solutions that are equally effective but safer and gentler for your health.
If you don’t have time for chores, get in touch with us at TLC Cleaning. Our cleaning experts will tidy up your house from floor to ceiling!
