It may surprise individuals to learn of the negative health effects from basic cleaning products available on the market.  It may also be a surprise to them that manufacturers are not required by law to list the ingredients in their cleaning product, and that those companies are free to use nearly any chemical they want before they’ve even been properly tested for their effects on human health¹.  Consumer cleaning products have been linked to cancer, birth defects, respiratory problems, asthma, breast cancer, hormone disruption and even serious health issues in children². 

Many studies have been conducted to shed light on the effects of traditional cleaning products in a home or office.  One study conducted by a team of 15 researchers at the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development center concluded that the use of disinfectants in a home can cause children to become obese later in life³.   Another study, conducted by a team of European researchers, concluded that the effects on lungs from cleaning your home once a week is equivalent to smoking every day for 10 to 20 years⁴.  Unfortunately, the air quality in homes that use these toxic chemicals is five times more toxic than outdoor pollution⁵, and those chemicals can persist in dust in the home for years to inhale or ingest⁶.

The good news to all of this is that there is a better way.  Eco-friendly cleaning products have come a long way in the last several years.  Not only do they clean as effectively, if not better, than traditional cleaning products, but their pricing is comparable.  With that in mind, the only reason that traditional products maintain the market share is because of the lack of awareness and education.  Green cleaning companies can aim to change that mindset and set the public on a healthier path to a healthier home or office. 

In fact, it may surprise some to know that basic everyday products such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are powerful, natural, non-toxic cleaners.  Commercial manufacturers have started to develop very effective cleaning products using powerful solutions such as hydrogen peroxide.  Other companies are even using plant-based products in their cleaning solutions.

Anyone can start to make a difference by throwing out the toxic cleaning products in their home or work environment.  If buying more environmentally friendly products, it’s important to understand that some products claiming to be eco-friendly are simply not.  It’s easy for consumers to be confused and become frustrated, and rightly so. 

The most important thing to remember is that cleaning doesn’t have to be a health risk.  With all of the other concerns about the state of the world, cleaning with toxics chemicals can easily be taken off the list.  By trusting in a green cleaning company, the stress of knowing what products to use on what surfaces can be alleviated.  And you can start living a healthier life.  Find a green cleaning company at the Green Cleaning Service Directory.

• 1.       https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/methodology
• 2.       https://www.nrdc.org/issues/toxic-chemicals#priority-why-matters
• https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2017/12/avoiding-common-household-asthma-triggers
• https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem.html
• https://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/22342/breathe-easy-healthier-indoor-air-cold-weather-part-1
• https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/nontoxic-home-cleaner-roundup
• https://www.ewg.org/release/calif-governor-signs-cleaning-product-disclosure-law
• 3.       https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/09/disinfectant-cleaners-linked-weight-gain-infants-and-toddlers
• 4.       https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/02/cleaning-products-may-harm-female-workers-lungs-much-smoking-pack-day
• 5.       https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/02/chemicals-everyday-products-rival-cars-source-air-pollution
• https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.6b02023
• 6.       https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2017/11/how-remove-toxic-dust-your-home-s-most-unwanted-guest