Household cleaners can be of a great help in keeping the house clean. Little do you know, many of them can also be considered as toxic household cleaners and are dangerous to the health.
Experience Life Org has recently compiled a list of the most toxic household cleaners as well as the safer and more natural alternatives for each one. Cleaning the house is important but keeping the members of the household healthy is actually much more important.
The first toxic household cleaner on the list is phthalates. These chemicals are found in air fresheners, dish soaps and toilet paper -- known to disrupt the body's endocrine system. The safer alternatives to phthalates are fragrance-free and organic products, essential oils and plants.
The second toxic household cleaner chemical on the list is perchloroethylene or "perc". These are usually found in dry-cleaning solutions, spot removers and carpet or upholstery cleaners and are considered as possible causes of cancer. The safer alternatives include wet cleaners, liquid carbon dioxide, Ecover spot remover and castile soap.
The next on the list is triclosan, which is usually found in liquid dishwashing soaps and anti-bacterial hand soaps. Triclosan can make bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics and might also cause cancer. Using detergents and soaps with less and simpler ingredients and always checking if the product has triclosan is an effective way to avoid the toxins.
Quarternary ammonium compounds or quats, which are usually found in fabric softeners and antibacterial household cleaners, are also considered as toxins. They also cause the development of antibiotic-resistant microbes and different respiratory problems. The safer choice is vinegar instead of fabric softeners and antibacterial tea-tree oils instead of antibacterial household cleaners.
The fifth on the list is 2-butoxyenthanol that is found in window cleaners. This chemical might be responsible for sore throats, narcosis, pulmonary edema and liver or kidney damage. Using newspaper and vinegar to clean windows is such a safer alternative.
The sixth on the list is ammonia, which is found in polishing agents and liquid glass cleaners. "People who get a lot of ammonia exposure, like housekeepers, will often develop chronic bronchitis and asthma," chemical engineer Donna Kasuska told Experience Life. The safe alternative to ammonia is vodka.
Chlorine is the next on the list. It is found in toilet cleaners, clothes whiteners and even household tap water -- potentially causing respiratory problems and thyroid disorders. Vinegar, baking soda and Biokleen bleach powder are safer alternatives.
Last on the list is sodium hydroxide found in chemical products for cleaning ovens and opening drains. It can cause skin burns and sore throat. The better choice is a "DIY paste" made of water and baking soda, or vinegar mixed with baking soda.
"Most of the products on the market are too strong for regular household cleaning. Most of the time, vinegar, borax and some simple elbow grease goes a long way to keeping our homes dirt and germ-free," advised Green Living Ideas on eliminating toxic household cleaners.
