Earth Protect Blog

Using household cleaners can be more dangerous than you thought. What is in the  cleaners you are using and how do you know if they are safe?!

Before you even begin cleaning up your home, you might want to consider starting with the cleaning products you already have. You may be wondering, what exactly do my home cleaners contain? What gives them their cleaning properties? Are there any risks involved with using them?  Well, you might be surprised with what toxic ingredients may be found in household cleaners and the effects they could have on you, your family and your pets.

In general, many home cleaners contain chlorine or amines (think ammonia) bound to other molecules. Chlorine and amines in some forms may not be bad, but when bound to other molecules, the resulting by-products may actually harm human health. To help you rid your household of these and other toxins, we investigated the ingredients of common cleaners.

    Mr. Clean Top Job All-Purpose Cleaner: This cleaner contains ammonia, a chemical that is highly irritating to the lungs when inhaled and can irritate the skin.
    Pine Sol Brand Cleaner: This cleaner contains triethanolamine, which is a severe irritant to the eyes, skin and lungs. Long exposure to this chemical can lead to liver and kidney damage as well as ulcers.
    Windex Multi-Surface Kitchen and Glass Cleaner: This cleaner contains glycol ethers, a substance known to irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage. It may also cause nerve damage when absorbed through the skin. It is also classified as a hazardous air pollutant.
    Ajax Scouring Powder: This cleaner was given a rating of 2 on a scale ranging 0 to 4, where 0 is no health impact and 4 is severe health impact. Its moderate toxicity can lead to skin and eye irritation and more long-term health impacts.
    Tide Laundry Detergent Powder: This cleaner contains a well-known group of toxic chemicals: phosphates. These are often found in dishwater detergent and as a water softener in some laundry detergents. They can promote algae growth in water streams, hurting marine aquatic ecosystems. This cleaner also contains sulfates and silicates that can be corrosive and can irritate the lungs.
    Pantene Pro V: This shampoo contains ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or DTA, which is a phosphate replacement.  The problem with this chemical is that it has been shown to free up mercury in water, causing it to reenter the food chain if it was previously locked up.
    Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap (with light moisturizers): This product contains a chemical known as diethanolamine. This chemical can be absorbed through the skin, causing irritation. Chronic exposure to it may affect blood formation, the liver and the kidneys.

As you can see, the general theme is that many conventional cleaners contain substances that could potentially lead to harmful effects on humans. They can irritate the skin, cause liver and kidney damage and affect the nervous system. You might now be wondering,  "What can I do to reduce exposure to these chemicals?"

First, before you purchase a product that is widely used, you should check with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Household Product Database, which contains extensive information about most mainstream cleaners. In the database, you can learn more about what these cleaners contain and potential risks associated with certain ingredients.

Then, why not make a spring cleaning resolution this year to have a cleaner, greener set of cleaning supplies? Replace your toxic cleaning routine with non-toxic cleaners, and you can make a healthier and safer environment for yourself, family and pets.

Posted on 5/27/11 by National Green Pages

http://www.greenpages.org/blog/cleaning-up-your-cleaners.html