Harmful effects of using every day chemicals compared to using natural green products.
Cleaning is an essential part of life, whether we enjoy it or hate it, sooner than later it has to be done. Thankfully, you can hire a professional to take care of that problem for you. Another option, is of course, do it yourself, but we are aware that it takes a big portion of your time. So, if is an option, save yourself the hustle and call No More Mess Cleaning Services.
We all know that in order to disinfect, sanitize, deodorize, degrease and polish, we need the help of chemical products. But how far are we willing to compromise our health? Research demonstrates that the most acutely dangerous cleaning products are corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners. On the other hand, products with high amounts of chlorine bleach and ammonia can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and should never be used by people with asthma, lung or heart problems. Even the health status of “perfectly healthy people” can be jeopardize due to every day chemical products.
In the study material from IJCSA Green Cleaning Certification, we learned that Chlorine is frequently involve in poisoning cases in the Unites States. Chlorine is toxic and negative not only for the health but also for the environment, it can also be dangerous to house pets. Also another name that can be confused or perceived as a harmless agent is: Mineral oil. Mineral oil “is a derivative of petroleum. It can cause decreased absorption of vitamin A, and vitamin K in pregnant women. It is considered both carcinogenic and tumorigenic by RTECS criteria” (IJCSA)
My customers often ask me: what’s a good natural product to disinfect, other than bleach? According to the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association, ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water, works as a good disinfector. Another option to disinfect is Borax. Borax is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax is white, consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. Borax is a component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes.
Some all-purpose cleaners contain diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) although, many all-purpose cleaners have low acute toxicity it can still contribute to “long-term health like cancer or hormone disorders”. Other effects to the health originating from every day cleaners are: decreased sperm counts, increased rates of male birth defects such as cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias.
Our environment suffers tremendously due to everyday cleaning chemicals. “Cleaning liquids disappear down our drains, threatening water quality, fish and other wildlife”. Also petroleum-based products contribute to the unnecessary consume of oil, a non-renewable resource. And let’s not forget, the negative impact of plastic bottles used to package cleaning products, currently some bottles are recycle but not in massive amounts.
We have to be conscious and take responsibility for our health, our environment, and the ecosystems around us. There are effective combinations of natural products that can help us to clean effectively, without causing danger. I encourage other cleaning professionals to take the IJCSA Green Cleaning Certification to learn more about safe alternatives, we have to look out for our employers, our clients, the environment and our own health.
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