Clean up the Environment and Remove Household Safety Hazards

Not only do the cleaners we use wind up getting flushed down the drain, some wastewater treatment plants don’t even filter these substances from greywater, and discharge the untreated water into local waterways where they stand to harm wildlife and water quality, but hundreds of thousands of  poisoning cases each year could be avoided if we would replace toxic cleaners with truly natural products.

In 2005 the CDC reported that cleaning products made up 9 percent of all poison exposures, accounting for 218,316 calls, over half of which were exposures involving children under the age of six. The simplest way to avoid accidental poisoning (of people and the environment) is to get rid of conventional toxic cleaners and replace them with all natural cleaners. You might be surprised to discover just how effective a little baking soda or vinegar can be in many situations.

Chemicals to Avoid

There are so many harsh and harmful ingredients commonly found in conventional all-purpose cleaners that it’s difficult to list them all, though staying away from the following ingredients as well as any petroleum-based ingredients will guide you in the right direction. Typically anything that is difficult to pronounce (like alkylphenol ethoxylates) is probably something to avoid -though it should be pointed out that some truly natural cleaners may list their ingredients by botanical name, which may be difficult to pronounce as well. When in doubt,  research any suspicious ingredients you find. The green cleaners reviewed on this site all have their ingredients listed on the prodcut comparison page.

Avoid cleaners that contain surfactants like alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), TEA or DEA; chlorine, ammonia, nerve-damaging butyl cellosolve, synthetic fragrances, the antibacterial triclosan.

Additional Common Chemicals to Avoid in Household Cleaners

Para-dichlorobenzene (PDCB); napthalene; formaldehyde; Sodium bisulphate (sulphuric acid); solvents (ethyl/isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethanol, Butyl cellosolve); synthetic perfumes; detergents /surfactants containing DEA, TEA and morpholine; EDTA; ammonia; phenol (carbolic acid/cresol); coal tar dyes; Pine oil; alkyl phenols (include nonyl phenol, nonyl phenoxy ethoxylate, alkyl phenol polyglycol; petroleum distillates; bleach; napthas; nitrobenzene; phosphates (ecological disaster); polyethylene glycol (PEG); and many others.

DEA, MEA, TEA
Cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes and dry the hair and skin. Can be carcinogenic. PEG can mix with DEA and TEA to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

EDTA
Stabilises bleach and foaming agents in detergents. Irritates skin and mucous membranes and binds with toxic metals in the environment, carrying them back into our drinking water and the environment, especially fish and shellfish.

Petrolatum
Also known as mineral oil jelly, liquid vaseline, paraffinum liquidum and baby oil. Can cause photosensitivity and strips natural oils from the skin, causing chapping, dryness and premature ageing. Prevents elimination of toxins and can cause acne and other disorders.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDN hydantoin
These formaldehyde-forming preservatives can cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and asthma. Can also weaken the immune system and even cause cancer. Found in skin, body and hair products, anti-perspirants and nail polish.

Alcohol, or isopropyl
A poisonous solvent and denaturent (alters the structure of other chemicals). Found in hair-colour rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after shave lotions, fragrances. Can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing, depression. Also, dries skin and hair and creates cracks and fissures in the skin which encourage bacterial growth.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)
Found in foaming products such as shampoos, hair conditioners, toothpastes and body washes. Strong detergent which can cause eye irritation and permanent damage to the eyes – especially in children, skin rashes, hair loss, flaking skin and mouth ulceration. When combined with other ingredients, can form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Easily penetrates the skin and can lodge itself in the heart, lungs, liver and brain.

PVP/VA copolymer
A petroleum-based ingredient used in hair sprays.
Padimate-O, also known as octyl dimethyl, PABA is found mainly in sunscreens. Like DEA, a nitrosamine-forming agent. There is concern that the energy absorbed by this sunscreen is then turned into free radicals, which may actually increase the risk of skin cancer.
Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben used to extend shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.
Synthetic colours: coal-tar dyes are generally labelled as FD&C or D&C followed by a number. Carcinogenic.

Talc
Found in baby powders, face powders and body powders. A major cause of ovarian cancer when used in the genital area. Can also lodge in the lungs, causing respiratory disorders.

Synthetic fragrance
Usually petroleum based. Can cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, respiratory problems, vomiting, skin irritation and multiple chemical sensitivity.