10 Household Cleaners That I Will NEVER Use, whether cheap or free.
I love saving money, but when you stop and read what some of these products contain, it makes you think, "Even if the price is free, what cost is my family paying to have me using these products in my home?" Especially when there are so many non-toxic alternatives that are also cost-efficient!! I'm posting a link to a list of safer, homemade household cleaners at the end of this post. So, continute reading and prepare to be shocked at what big business is peddling to us!!
Simple Green Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner
Perhaps one of the worst because it undeservedly boasts the title
“green”, this all-purpose cleaner from Simple Green contains
2-butoxyethanol, a solvent known to damage red blood cells and irritate
eyes. Despite its “non-toxic” claims on its labeling, this all-purpose
cleaner also contains a secret blend of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants;
some chemicals in this family are banned in the European Union.
Even worse, the EWG notes that the company website instructs the user to
significantly dilute
this product when cleaning. Actually, Simple Green calls it “custom
dilute,” as if it’s some fabulous product feature. Yet, the cleaner is
packaged in a spray bottle that implies it can be used full strength,
which means possible higher exposure to the toxic chemicals in this
product. Awful.
Scrubbing Bubbles – Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner & Extend-A-Clean Mega Shower Foamer
Despite its cheery cartoon scrub brush mascot, Scrubbing Bubbles
bathroom and shower cleaners should do anything but bring a smile to
your eco-loving face. These products contain chemicals banned in the
European Union including DEGBE, which can irritate and inflame the
lungs. The European Union bans this chemical in household cleaners in
concentrations above 3 percent. These products contain up to 10 percent.
EASY-OFF Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Aerosol Spray
Besides dissolving the gunk in your oven, the chemicals in this
cleaner can also burn your skin and eyes. The label says as much. It
advises users to avoid eyes, skin, mucous membranes and clothing. On top
of that you should also wear long gloves when using it, avoid breathing
in the mist, use only with adequate ventilation and do not ingest it.
Something so dangerous has no place in the your eco-home.
Target’s Up & Up Cleaners
Unlike food, cosmetics and drugs, ingredient labels are not required
for cleaning products. Some companies choose to include their
ingredients because of consumer pressure—others do not, including,
Target’s Up & Up brand cleaners. This brand’s toilet bowl cleaner
and glass and surface wipes list no ingredients whatsoever. Other
cleaners in its line of products list only one or two ingredients, or
use vague terms. Hiding something, eh?
Lysol Disinfectant Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Lime & Rust Remover
You know many household cleaners on the market pose serious health
hazards, but what about death? This toilet bowl cleaner from Lysol even
states on the label that it is “harmful or fatal if swallowed”. The
label also suggests wearing safety goggles as a bit of this acidic
concoction can cause “irreversible damage” to eyes. So not worth a clean
toilet.
Ajax, Dynamo and Fab Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergents
How does mixing in a little formaldehyde into your washer full of
laundry sound? That’s what you do if you use any of these Phoenix Brands
detergents. As a known human carcinogen at its worst, formaldehyde has
also been found to cause asthma and allergies. The company only lists
this information on the product as a technical disclosure for workers.
Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder
One hundred forty-six: that’s the number of chemicals the EWG found
in this common household toilet cleaner. Some of the chemicals are known
to cause cancer, asthma and reproductive disorders. The most toxic of
the chemicals found, including formaldehyde, benzene, chloroform and
toluene, are not listed on the label. The EWG states that little is
known about the health hazards of most of the hidden chemicals.
Citra-Solv Cleaner & Degreaser
Even though some cleaners contain ingredients derived from plants
instead of petroleum, that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Case in point:
this cleaner and degreaser is made from d-limonene and orange oils from
citrus peels. Sounds innocent, but when sprayed into the air these oils
can react with trace levels of ozone air pollution to form ultra-fine
particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Clorox, Fantastik, Febreze, Formula 409, Easy-Off, Lysol, Mr. Clean and Spic and Span
Many of these brand name spray cleaners are laced with ingredients
that cause asthma, including quaternary ammonium compounds or
ethanolamine. These chemicals can trigger asthma attacks and even cause
new cases of the disease. These products essentially spray these
dangerous chemicals directly into your home’s air.
DampRid Mildew Stain Remover Plus Blocker
This bathroom cleaner contains up to 10 percent of a toxic solvent
called 2-butoxyethanol. Canada only allows this chemical’s use in
non-aerosol cleaners up to 6 percent. As if that wasn’t enough of a
hazardous toxin for one cleaning product, this product also includes
nonylphenol ethoxylate, a chemical prohibited in cleaners in the
European Union.
Want some better alternatives??
Check out
Little Ms Robinson's blog for ways to make your own household cleaners without sacrificing your family's health & well-being!
reserves the right to change their pricing at any time without notice.
