Potential Health Hazards In Common Cleaners

Make Your Own Cleaners

Republished with permission from Gaiam; a lifestyle company ( www.gaiam.com)

Ingredients found in common cleaners and their potential health hazards: (Source: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products by Gary A. Davis and Em Turner)

In the Kitchen & Bath

sodium hypochlorite (in chlorine bleach): if mixed with ammonia, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems;

petroleum distillates (in metal polishes): short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes;

ammonia (in glass cleaner): eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation;

phenol and cresol (in disinfectants): corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage;

nitrobenzene (in furniture and floor polishes): can cause skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects;

formaldehyde (a preservative in many products): suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs.

In the Utility Closet

perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (in spot removers and carpet cleaners): can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen;

naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (in mothballs): naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys;

hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate in toilet bowl cleaner; either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes;

residues from fabric softeners, as well as the fragrances commonly used in them, can be irritating to susceptible people;

possible ingredients of spray starch (aside from the starch) include formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol; in addition, any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.

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Make Your Own Cleaners

For kitchens & bathrooms

1/8 cup washing soda (hydrated sodium carbonate)
1 tbsp vegetable-based soap, e.g. Murphy's or Dr. Bronner's
1/4 cup vinegar
2 gal hot water

Combine all ingredients. Apply with a mop or sponge.

All-purpose cleaner

4 tbsp baking soda
1 qt. hot water

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