We can all appreciate a clean living space, but what if the household cleaners you’re using to keep your living area clean are actually filling your oasis with chemicals that are harmful to your health and the planet…? The bad news is that there is a heap of hazardous cleaning chemicals sitting in your cabinet, waiting for their next chance to invade your space. The good news is that this post aims to unveil the hazards of conventional house cleaning products and explore safer and eco-friendlier alternatives that will allow you to breathe easy during your next cleaning extravaganza.
Many cleaning product labels do not provide consumers with adequate information about their ingredients even though the ingredients may be harmful to our health. When assembling your house cleaning collection, be on the lookout for signs of the following:
Ammonia: Ammonia is one of the most common ingredients in household cleaners, such as glass and window cleaners. However, ammonia can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system when inhaled, and when exposed to ammonia over long periods of time, it can cause permanent damage. [1]
Chlorine: Did you know that chlorine is one of the ten most produced chemicals in the United States? Chlorine is present in many household cleaning products and disinfectants, but has been linked to respiratory problems, eye irritation, throat discomfort, and other more concerning health issues. [2]
Polyethylene glycol (PEGs)/ Polysorbates: Many cleaning products have been found to contain the likely carcinogenic (cancer-causing) impurity referred to as 1,4-dioxane, which are common contaminants found in PEGs in addition to other carcinogens like formaldehyde. [3]
Phthalates: These are plasticizing chemicals that are often used as fragrance carriers in cleaning products. The issue is that many phthalates are likely carcinogenic and can interfere with hormonal balance. This makes them especially concerning for children and pregnant individuals as they may contribute to reproductive and developmental issues. [4]
Sodium Hydroxide (Lye): This ingredient is commonly found in some drain and oven cleaners, but it is highly corrosive and can cause severe skin and eye burns with direct contact as well as irritation of the respiratory tract when inhaled. [5]
Ethylene Glycol: Ethylene Glycol is occasionally found in some household products like carpet cleaner, but it is toxic if ingested and can lead to kidney and liver damage, which makes it of considerably higher risk to pets and young children. [6]
Per- & Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS): These substances are forever chemicals created by humans, but potentially pose many health risks such as cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, and other diseases. [7] [8]
Toxic Fumes: Most cleaners don’t smell clean, but rather have an off-putting and unpleasant smell. This is because conventional cleaners often release toxic fumes that can irritate your lungs and nose, leading to asthma and other respiratory problems. [9]
The above concerns are just the beginning of the chemical chaos that many conventional household cleaners bring into our homes. Alternatively, non-toxic cleaning alternatives are safer on your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. [10] Also, you won’t feel like you need a chemistry degree to understand the ingredients because they are safe, simple, and effective.
Moreover, safer eco-friendly cleaning products are better for the planet as they are typically biodegradable, demand less resources, and have a smaller carbon footprint from start to finish. [11] Opting for non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning products can help mitigate health and environmental concerns, while providing a safer environment for your family.
Top Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaners
Time to introduce you to some eco-friendly and human-safe cleaning products. Check out four of my top non-toxic all purpose cleaning options below that are safer for your health and the planet.
Please note, even when using safer alternatives to conventional cleaners, be sure to properly handle the cleaner by having ventilation and wearing protective gear such as cleaning gloves.
EcoMe’s all purpose cleaner does not contain dyes, harsh preservatives, or sulfates, and is marketed to work on multiple surfaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces. I confirmed with them that this cleaner is free of PFAS. The best part is that it only has three ingredients, offering a much safer alternative to common household cleaners.
EcoMe’s all purpose cleaner ingredients:
Water
Acetic Acid (vinegar)
Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside (This ingredient is plant derived, reviewed as a low health risk ingredient regarding use restrictions, endocrine disruption, and irritation, and is not likely a cancer causing chemical as verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG))
Branch Basics offers a multi-purpose cleaner in the form of a non-toxic concentrate. They use a plant and mineral-based formula to create a safer cleaning option that still works on a multitude of surfaces. I reached out to them and confirmed that this concentrate is free of PFAS in addition to being Made Safe certified. The ingredients are relatively safe indicating low health risks when used for applicable purposes, making it a better alternative to most cleaning products on the market.
Branch Basics - The Concentrate ingredients:
Purified Water
Decyl Glucoside (glucose-based surfactant with low use restrictions, low non-reproductive organ system toxicity, and low irritation with moderate allergies and immunotoxicity in regulated amounts as verified by EWG)
Organic Chamomile Flower Extract
Coco-Glucoside (surfactant with low endocrine disruption and irritation, and low use restriction as verified by EWG)
Sodium Citrate (pH adjuster)
Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
Sodium Phytate (a complex sodium salt of Phytic Acid with low non-reproductive organ system toxicity and irritation in regulated amounts as verified by EWG)
Find it on their website.
Meliora all-purpose cleaner comes in the form of solid soap tablets made with an unscented vegetable soap formula that’s origin is from organic coconut oil. The tablet simply needs to be place in a spray bottle, then add water to create the cleaning solution. This cleaner is Made Safe Certified with no fragrances, dyes, preservatives, or phthalates. I reached out to Meliora and they informed me that while they do not test for PFAS nothing in their process should add PFAS to their products. They also mentioned that the recycled packaging would be the primary potential source for exposure to PFAS, but it would be only trace amounts. Overall, they offer transparency about their cleaners and do their best to use safe ingredients in their products making them a safer option than most all-purpose cleaners available.
Meliora all-purpose cleaner ingredients:
Potassium Cocoate (potassium salt of coconut acid with low irritation, and rated as low risk in regulated amounts by EWG)
Sodium Cocoate (sodium salt of fatty acids derived from coconut oil with low irritation, and rated as low risk in regulated amounts by EWG)
Cocos Nucifera Oil (coconut oil with low multiple additive exposure/ irritation, and rated as low risk by EWG)
Glycerin (naturally occurring alcohol compound with moderate use restrictions, and rated as low risk in regulated amounts by EWG)
Available on their website.
Choosing to make your own cleaning products is always a good option because you know exactly what goes into each bottle. Not only is it a safe option for your health and the planet, but it is also quite effective when used properly. Below is one recipe that I find to work well on many different surfaces, but there are several other home-how-to recipes on the web, so feel free to explore your options and find the best fit for you.
DIY multi-purpose home cleaner recipe:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Put mixture in a spray bottle and label contents.
De la Rosa Organic White Vinegar is a decent option for cleaning vinegar and BoHoS Glass Spray Bottle is a good option for spray bottles (made of lead-free glass). Be mindful to not use vinegar cleaner on electronics, stone countertops, dishwashers, flooring, or other areas that may be too delicate for an acidic cleaner.
Switching from harmful household cleaning products to non-toxic household cleaners will allow you to clean with peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones and furry friends won't be exposed to harmful chemicals. Of course, as with most products (and especially cleaning products) be mindful to use them only when necessary and to not overexpose yourself.
At the end of the day, cleaning should be about making your home shine, not about harmful health hazards lurking in the bottle. So, keep it safe, keep it green, and take back your cleaning routine!
References
Do you know if any of the products from Grove Collaborative are a good option?