At one time, people wouldn't think twice about using their favourite household cleaning product. As long as your house smelled fresh and it sparkled, it was assumed that the product was effective. Some of these products, although they may be effective in cleaning, have been found to have a negative effect on our health and the environment.
For this reason, many people have begun seeking out natural cleaning products that use ingredients such as baking soda, essential oils, vinegar and citrus oil. These products are not only better for your health but are also safer to use around children and pets. They are also eco-friendly. Let us look at some of the best reasons to make the switch to natural cleaning products today.
Unregulated Chemicals
When you use a cleaning product, you may be ingesting the fumes from the chemicals. Since the 1940s, figures suggest that as many as 85,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the mainstream in America though various different cleaning products. And the scary thing is that even here in Australia many of these chemicals may be unregulated or untested.
Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide and Phthalates
Chances are, when you grew up you bought the same cleaning products that your mother used when you were a child. Have you ever looked at the labels of these cleaning agents to see what your products contain? If the label says that the product may be harmful to pets or children that might be a sign that you shouldn’t be using it. Chemicals that are potentially harmful include chlorine, 2-butoxyethanol, triclosan and phthalates.
Child Safe Products
While it is true that we cannot protect our children from everything bad in the world, we can protect them from harmful chemicals in our own homes. Many natural cleaning products make a point of using low-toxicity ingredients, so offer a safer alternative than their conventional counterparts. But even with green cleaning products, be sure to store them in cabinets that are child safe.
Keeping the Water Supply Clean
Many of the household cleaning agents we use contain chemicals that can have a negative impact on the health of our waterways. When you do laundry, wash dishes or flush toilet bowl cleaner you are sending these chemicals into the water system. This includes nearby streams, rivers and lakes, with potentially devastating effects on the plants and wildlife that live there.
Keep the Air Clean
Although they may make your room or your clothes smell better, many fabric softeners and room sprays contain quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride. These chemicals are known to contribute to healthy people getting asthma. American studies have shown that as many as 53 percent of the cleaning products tested may be harmful to the lungs.
Additionally, sprays and aerosols may contain volatile organic compounds that can have an impact on your health. If you’re using a lot of household chemicals to clean and freshen your house, now might be the time to think about moving to more natural cleaning products. Remember when disposing of chemical products to do so responsibly.
