Serving Size: 4.82 MB Servings Per Container: 1 In Your Body On Your Body For Your Home For Your Family Seeking Medical Treatment How to Detoxify Your Body Guide to Symptoms A Healthy House Values, Vision & Mission Background & History Staff & Advisors News & Upcoming Events Join Our Mailing List Contact Us Recommended Resources Index of Terms Works Cited This product contains 100% natural ingredients. Easy Pay Pal Donations TNTP Grade A Brain-food More Special Features Home Decor  |  Home Furnishings  |  Household Cleaners  |  Kitchenware  |  Lawn & Garden  |  Plastic Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next Most household cleaning products, even many of the more natural and less toxic cleaners on the market, do not list all of their ingredients. Manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients of their cleaning products. And on top of that, most of the chemicals used in these products have had minimal or no testing for their effects on human and environmental health. The testing that is done usually focuses on the acute toxicity of these chemicals and products—what effects they can have from short-term exposure at different levels—but not on what the effects are of being exposed to these chemicals in small amounts over long periods of time...which is exactly how we are generally exposed to cleaning products. For a list of suggested businesses to purchase more natural products from, visit our Recommended Resources page. If you're want to learn more about how to make your own cleaners, we highly recommend the books "Home Safe Home" by Debra Lynn Dadd and "Clean & Green" by Annie Berthold-Bond. Bathroom Cleaners CHEMICALS CONTAINED: This category contains some of the most harmful household cleaning products, because they’re usually designed to kill living organisms or dissolve stubborn deposits…which requires harsh chemicals. Most products recommend using in a well-ventilated area, but most bathrooms are not very well ventilated. Almost all scouring powders contain chlorine bleach. Toilet bowl cleaners may contain harsh acids such as phosphoric acid. They usually contain ammonia, petroleum by-products, chlorine bleach, synthetic dyes, and fragrances. Most synthetic dyes and fragrances are made from petroleum by-products or coal tars (a carcinogenic liquid or semi-liquid from bituminous coal). Coal tars can contain benzene, xylene, naphthalene, phenol and creosol. Synthetic fragrances are much less expensive than natural ones, and so are most commonly used. Most have not been tested for safety, or have undergone only minimal testing. Each individual fragrance may be made from up to 4,000 different chemical components. The chemical formulas of fragrances are considered trade secrets and so may be listed on labels only as “fragrance.” HEALTH CONCERNS: Caustic acids in toilet bowl cleaners can burn the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Synthetic fragrances may cause a wide range of acute and chronic effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, other allergic symptoms, sensitization, nervous system depression and skin irritation. Ammonia is a very volatile chemical and irritates and burns the skin. It is also very irritating to eyes, lungs and the respiratory system. Chlorine bleach is highly toxic if ingested. Inhalation of fumes and contact with skin or eyes are also toxic. Synthetic fragrances may cause a wide range of acute and chronic effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, other allergic symptoms, sensitization, nervous system depression and skin irritation. Nitrobenzene may be used in making synthetic dyes. Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Naphthalene is a possible human carcinogen that has been linked to cancer in animal tests, and exposure to large amounts may damage or destroy red blood cells. Nitrobenzene can irritate eyes and skin at low exposure levels, and in larger amounts has damaged liver and blood in animals. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: If you choose commercial products, look for scouring powder without bleach, and cleaners that don’t contain ammonia or bleach. Look for products that use plant-based rather than petroleum-based surfactants, no synthetic dyes or fragrances. Baking soda sprinkled on a wet sponge or rag works well for cleaning sinks and tubs, as does a scouring powder that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach. Add a little natural liquid soap for more cleaning power. A mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle cleans surfaces, although avoid using vinegar on tiles as it can etch the tile surface. To disinfect surfaces, use a mixture of borax and water, spray on and wipe away. Hydrogen peroxide also is an effective, nontoxic disinfectant. Toilet bowls can be cleaned effectively with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda—one at a time or mixed together. Soap scum can be removed with vinegar, sprayed or wiped on full strength, then wiped or scrubbed clean. For extra tough deposits, use a mixture of 1 tsp. borax, ½ tsp. liquid soap and 2 cups hot water, spray on and wipe or scrub clean. Some basic reminders: Keep as much air ventilating in the bathroom as possible to discourage dampness and the growth of molds and mildew. Fix leaks and clean up spilled water quickly. Clean mold and mildew as soon as it starts, rather than waiting until it’s built up over a larger area. To help with disinfecting microbial hot-spots, wash high-traffic surfaces such as faucet handles more frequently. Wiping down the walls of a shower after each use can also help to keep the bathroom clean. Keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or a solution of tea tree oil and water handy to regularly spray faucet handles, which are usually havens for microbes in the bathroom. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners CHEMICALS CONTAINED: When applied to carpets and upholstery these products release fumes into the air and leave residue on the material. This is especially a concern in homes with small children, as babies and toddlers spend a lot of time in close contact with carpets, rugs and upholstery. Residue of toxic chemicals in commercial carpet cleaners may get on children’s hand, and be stirred up to be inhaled by children too. Perchloroethylene is the main active ingredient in these products, but they also may contain naphthalene, ethanol, ammonia, petroleum by-products, synthetic dyes, and fragrances. Most synthetic dyes and fragrances are made from petroleum by-products or coal tars (a carcinogenic liquid or semi-liquid from bituminous coal). Coal tars can contain benzene, xylene, naphthalene, phenol and creosol. Synthetic fragrances are much less expensive than natural ones, and so are most commonly used. Most have not been tested for safety, or have undergone only minimal testing. Each individual fragrance may be made from up to 4,000 different chemical components. The chemical formulas of fragrances are considered trade secrets and so may be listed on labels only as “fragrance.” HEALTH CONCERNS: Perchloroethylene, a common chemical also used in dry cleaning, is a solvent that is a known human carcinogen. It can also cause effects on the nervous system and nausea. Longterm exposure may damage the liver and central nervous system. Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen and may also cause nausea and vomiting and skin irritation. Ethanol can affect the central nervous system, cause nausea and vomiting, coma and possibly death. Ammonia is a very volatile chemical and irritates and burns the skin. It is also very irritating to eyes, lungs and the respiratory system. Synthetic fragrances may cause a wide range of acute and chronic effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, other allergic symptoms, sensitization, nervous system depression and skin irritation. Nitrobenzene may be used in making synthetic dyes. Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Naphthalene is a possible human carcinogen that has been linked to cancer in animal tests, and exposure to large amounts may damage or destroy red blood cells. Nitrobenzene can irritate eyes and skin at low exposure levels, and in larger amounts has damaged liver and blood in animals. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Commercial products made with baking soda are safer than others, but likely contain synthetic fragrances and dyes, and possibly other chemicals. So…since baking soda is the main cleaning agent in those products, why not just use baking soda?! To clean and deodorize carpets, sprinkle baking soda liberally (a lot) on dry carpet or rug. Leave for at least fifteen minutes (even up to overnight), then vacuum thoroughly. In general, try to wipe up spills right away so they don’t become stains. For general spot removing, some options are a solution of borax and water, undiluted vinegar or lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide. Rent a steam cleaner from a hardware or equipment rental store. Steam cleans carpets, upholstery and many other surfaces very effectively. For cleaning solution, mix 1/8 cup of liquid soap and 2 gallons hot water. Add a half teaspoon borax to increase cleaning power, essential oils for fragrance if desired. Chlorine Bleach CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Contains toxic chlorine (sodium hypochlorite). HEALTH CONCERNS: Highly toxic if ingested. Inhalation of fumes and contact with skin or eyes are also toxic. Even the fumes released from fabrics cleaned with bleach may cause sensory irritation. If mixed with ammonia or vinegar, or products containing these ingredients, chlorine may give off toxic, or even deadly, chloramine gas. It can also harm fabrics. Chlorine can react with organic matter in dirty fabrics to form chlorinated hydrocarbons that may be carcinogenic. It also creates a class of chemicals called trihalomethanes (including the suspected carcinogen chloroform) when it combines with organic material. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Water softeners used in laundry can brighten clothes by allowing soap to work better, which prevents buildup of soap and dirt residue. Adding baking soda to laundry is one way to soften water. Hydrogen peroxide also works as a bleaching agent, whitens laundry, and cleans and disinfects surfaces. Dilute hydrogen peroxide in a pint of water before adding to laundry, so it won’t bleach spots on clothes. Oxygen bleaches are another alternative for laundry and cleaning. Alternative bleach products are available in health food stores and some supermarkets, often labeled as non-chlorine bleaches or oxygen bleaches. Sodium carbonate is another ingredient in non-chlorine bleaches. Sodium percarbonate, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate, is another good alternative. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a pure mineral powder that whitens and brightens your clothing by removing the mineral deposits and soap residue that makes fabric appear dull (does contain phosphate). Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next