Harsh Chemicals in Store Bought Cleaners

August 20, 2014


Harsh Chemicals in Your Store Bought Cleaners

All Natural - All Purpose Citrus Disinfectant

Have you ever wondered why you get a headache after you have cleaned your house? Have you ever really thought about why some products say spray, wipe, then rinse? Why should you have to rinse off a cleaner? Isn't that area clean?

Well, it's because most of those cleaners leave behind a harsh chemical residue that if not rinsed can contaminate your food if placed on the counters. YUCK!!

Those headaches or dizzy feeling is chemicals you are inhaling while cleaning! That's not so good!

There are tons of websites, articles and studies out there about the effects of chemicals in cleaning supplies.

Those articles talk about people having asthma symptoms, chronic headaches, irritable bowels, dermatitis {skin issues} among many other issues.



My daughter was having some of these issues and was diagnosed with asthma. I decided to stop using commercial cleaners and air fresheners and see what would happen. Guess what!! Her symptoms went away! I use only homemade cleaners and air my home out regularly.

Most companies do not label the chemicals used because they don't have to! There is no rules saying they have to inform us of what they are using! This is sad and disgusting to me. I don't like to be a negative person, but I have seen first hand how using all these cleaners can affect your health.

My step-mom religiously cleaners her house daily and she uses TONS of cleaners. She constantly has headaches, dizziness, seeing spots, high blood pressure, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and she always has a feeling of being ill. Now some would say she needs to go see a doctor that it sounds like she has something major going on. Well, she has been and they don't know what is actually wrong with her. They have put her on so many medications to treat her symptoms. I try to tell her to cut back on the products and open her windows while she cleans. But she is the stubborn type and won't listen. I know she is slowly poisoning herself with all these chemicals.

Here is a small guide to the harsh chemicals found in your every day store bought household cleaners:

Alkylphenols
These used in the production of detergents and other cleaning products and can also be found in personal care products, especially hair products, and are an active component in many spermicides. Alkylphenols are endocrine disruptors that have been shown to alter mammary gland development in rats.

Phthalates
Found in: Many fragranced household products, such as air fresheners, dish soap, even toilet paper. Because of proprietary laws, companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents, so you won’t find phthalates on a label. If you see the word “fragrance” on a label, there’s a good chance phthalates are present.
Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors.  Although exposure to phthalates mainly occurs through inhalation, it can also happen through skin contact with scented soaps. Unlike the digestive system, the skin has no safeguards against toxins. Absorbed chemicals go straight to organs.

2-Butoxyethanol
Found in: Window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners.
2-butoxyethanol is the key ingredient in many window cleaners and gives them their characteristic sweet smell. It belongs in the category of “glycol ethers,” a set of powerful solvents that don’t mess around. Law does not require 2-butoxyethanol to be listed on a product’s label. According to the EPA’s Web site, in addition to causing sore throats when inhaled, at high levels glycol ethers can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.

Ammonia
Found in: Polishing agents for bathroom fixtures, sinks and jewelry; also in glass cleaner.
Because ammonia evaporates and doesn’t leave streaks, it’s another common ingredient in commercial window cleaners. People who get a lot of ammonia exposure, like housekeepers, will often develop chronic bronchitis and asthma. Ammonia can also create a poisonous gas if it’s mixed with bleach.

Chlorine
Found in: Scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners, household tap water.
With chlorine we have so many avenues of exposure, you’re getting exposed through fumes and possibly through skin when you clean with it. If you have city water its in there to get rid of bacteria so you’re also getting exposed when you take a shower or bath. Chlorine may be a serious thyroid disrupter.

Sodium Hydroxide
Found in: Oven cleaners and drain openers.
Otherwise known as lye, sodium hydroxide is extremely corrosive: If it touches your skin or gets in your eyes, it can cause severe burns. Routes of exposure are skin contact and inhalation. Inhaling sodium hydroxide can cause a sore throat that lasts for days.

Those are just a few!! 

All of these are dangerous chemicals that are found under your kitchen sink and can harm you!!

The best ingredients to use for homemade cleaners are probably right there in your own home: vinegar and baking soda, and if you don't you should!!

Here is a simple and VERY effective recipe that you can use all over your home:

Peel 1 to 2 oranges, grapefruit, lemon, or lime....or a combo of them all!!
3 cups white vinegar
1 clean mason jar {1 qt}
1 clean 32 oz spray bottle

Combine the citrus peels into the mason jar with the vinegar.
Let sit for 2 weeks, gently stirring every couple days.
Remove peel from jar and put contents into spray bottle!!
Fill to the top with water.
That was so easy!!


To make it even more powerful you can add essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, just to name a few.

This recipe can be used anywhere in your home and there is no need to rinse. Vinegar is naturally an antibacterial agent and if you use essential oils you are getting double the bacteria fighting power! And the best part is that you are not being exposed to all those nasty chemical!!

Want to know were you can buy those essential oils??

Mountain Rose Herbs


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11 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this! I shared it on Google+.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:50 PM

      Thank you and you are welcome!

      Delete
  2. Great tips! I would love to try these soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:50 PM

      I sure hope you do! Its way better than store bought!

      Delete
  3. Good stuff! These chemicals often impact hormone health too! It's very important!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good stuff! These chemicals often impact hormone health too! It's very important!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good stuff! These chemicals often impact hormone health too! It's very important!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good stuff! These chemicals often impact hormone health too! It's very important!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:54 PM

      Yes they do! I love making my own for that very reason!

      Delete
  7. I always use vinegar for household cleaning, except for my floors. I guess the acidity of it is bad for grout. My husband hates the smell, so at some point I probably should try out this citrus peel method:) I love that it doesn't contain harmful chemicals and it's cheap too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great reminder not to use chemicals. We try to go as natural as possible too!
    -Shelley

    ReplyDelete

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