The damage caused by common household cleaners
Ranked #11,821 in Healthy Living, #190,976 overall
Do you use common household cleaners?
As a mother I had first hand experience of the damage that can be caused by common household cleaners. That most of us use, thinking we are creating a clean and healthy environment for our family's.
The reason I turned to natural cleaning products
My son was about 18 months old. One day I had been cleaning the bathroom, with a common bathroom cleaner that contained bleach. I got distracted and left the bleach spray next to the bath. Later that evening I was bathing my son. I turned around to pick up the towel to dry him. As I did this he then picked up the bleach spray, and sprayed it straight into his eyes. You can imagine the screams from him as well as myself. We ended up at accident and emergency. Where they did a fantastic job trying to save my sons sight. He was admitted to hospital overnight. When he was discharged we then had months of waiting to find out how much permanet damage had been done, if any. The eye specialists did a fantastic job to. I could have kissed the doctor that told me my son had no permenant damage to his eye's.
From that day on. I promised my self that I would never put my family through that again. I then started out, to find out the chemicals contained in many of our common household cleaners, and the damage they can cause. I was shocked to find out what I did. Ever since then I have only used all
natural products. Not only am I protecting my family's health. I am also helping the environment. It is a win win situation.
Recent studies have revealed that most households/offices contain over 63 hazardous products that together contain hundreds of chemicals. These chemicals have the potential to greatly harm or even kill your children, your pets and you, should they accidentally not be used with the utmost caution.
The reason I turned to natural cleaning products
My son was about 18 months old. One day I had been cleaning the bathroom, with a common bathroom cleaner that contained bleach. I got distracted and left the bleach spray next to the bath. Later that evening I was bathing my son. I turned around to pick up the towel to dry him. As I did this he then picked up the bleach spray, and sprayed it straight into his eyes. You can imagine the screams from him as well as myself. We ended up at accident and emergency. Where they did a fantastic job trying to save my sons sight. He was admitted to hospital overnight. When he was discharged we then had months of waiting to find out how much permanet damage had been done, if any. The eye specialists did a fantastic job to. I could have kissed the doctor that told me my son had no permenant damage to his eye's.
From that day on. I promised my self that I would never put my family through that again. I then started out, to find out the chemicals contained in many of our common household cleaners, and the damage they can cause. I was shocked to find out what I did. Ever since then I have only used all
natural products. Not only am I protecting my family's health. I am also helping the environment. It is a win win situation.
Recent studies have revealed that most households/offices contain over 63 hazardous products that together contain hundreds of chemicals. These chemicals have the potential to greatly harm or even kill your children, your pets and you, should they accidentally not be used with the utmost caution.
2 Documented cases of children exposed to common household products.
When little Jennifer Smith of Salt Lake City, UT was but a year old she crawled over to the dishwasher while her mother was unloading the dishes. She put her small finger in the detergent dispensing cup and ate a finger full of wet but un-dissolved commercial dish detergent. In minutes her face was red and blistered, the inside of her mouth and tongue were burned white. Luckily she was rushed to a nearby hospital emergency room for quick medical attention. She recovered in a few days.Another documented case was a 20 month old boy who had to be fed through tubes for five months and suffered through many operations. Again, the culprit was dishwasher detergent.
This is only two of thousands of cases reflecting children ingesting and being exposed to, what most consider common household products, terrible life threatening consequences.
It is estimated that the U.S. Poison Control Center has nearly 1.5 million reported cases of accidental ingestion of poisons every year. Sadly most of these cases were under 12 years of age.
News reports on the links between common cleaners and your health
- "Why are Children at Greater Risk?"
- News Report on how Common Household Cleaners affect our Children.
- "If you can't pronounce it, should you use it?"
- News report on chemicals in common household cleaners.
- An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
- A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency article about indoor air pollution.
- Study warns of cleaning product risks
- Study warns of cleaning product risks
- Risks when using cleaning products while pregnant.
- BBC news report Exposure to cleaning products while in the womb could be linked to persistent wheezing in young children, University of Bristol research suggests.
- Clean houses 'may trigger asthma'
- A BBC news report on Parents striving to keep a spotless house may unwittingly be triggering asthma in their children
Have you ever wondered what the strong odor in the cleaners isle of your supermarket is?
Ingestion is only one of three major ways that these products enter the body. Inhalation is even for more dangerous because when breathed in these harmful chemicals go directly into the blood stream and can quickly affect the lungs, heart, brain liver and kidneys.By the way, that strong smell in your supermarket cleaner isle is caused by what industry experts describe as "out gassing". Out gassing is the vapors escaping from the "sealed" containers on the supermarkets shelves. Which obviously are extremely harmful to your health.
Have you ever been literally driven out of your bathroom shower while using one of the most popular tile cleaners? These types of cleaners must contain strong chemicals in order to do the job. The job may get done but you are at risk from the strong vapors that are generated. By the time you have exited the bathroom the chemical vapors have entered your blood stream and are wrecking havoc with your health.
Chemicals that Harm
Products that contain these ingredients. Best to stay well away.
Petrochemicals:
These are petroleum based products that leave dangerous residues. These products may be derived from oil, coal, or natural gas and used to make plastics, pesticides, health care products, and cleaners. These chemicals have been linked to cancers, neurological illnesses, and environmental devastation. Dry cleaning chemicals, such as perchloroethylene, are part of this group. These chemicals are commonly listed as ethylene, propylene, benzene, benzol, annulene, phenyl hydride, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and xylene.
Tetrachloroethylene:
also called perchloroethylene, used as a dry cleaning solvent and degreaser, cause skin rashes, headaches, and dizziness Amyl acetate: a synthetic grease cutter, is a neurotoxin implicated in central nervous system depression, found in conventional furniture polishes
Naphthalene:
a member of the carcinogenic benzene family derived from coal tar or made synthetically, known to bioaccumulate in marine organisms, causes allergic skin reactions and cataracts, alters kidney function and is extremely toxic to children, found in conventional deodorizers, carpet cleaners, toilet deodorizers
Methylene chloride:
also called dichloromethane, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor, used in various industrial processes including paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing, beware of inhalation and skin exposure. OSHA considers methylene chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen.
Ammonia:
The scent alone will tell you to stay away. This chemical can irritate the lungs, eyes, and mucus membranes. It is extremely dangerous when mixed with other chemicals such as bleach. Ammonia adds nitrogen to the environment often resulting in disruptions to the ecosystem including toxic effects to plants, fish and animals. Ammonia is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list.The FDA also regulates the amount of ammonium compounds in food. Ammonia is found in conventional window cleaners.
Chlorine:
The bleaching agent in household bleach such as Clorox. Though it will get whites whiter, this chemical is extremely irritating to the lungs, skin, and mucus membranes. It was used as a powerful poison in World War I. Chlorine is the household chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings. Chlorine also ranks first in causing industrial injuries and deaths resulting from large industrial accidents. The residues left behind, known as organochlorides, have been linked to many cancers including breast cancer. Studies have also shown a link between chlorine exposure from pools and the development of asthma in young children.
Aerosol Sprays:
Once contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) until prohibited because of effects on the ozone layer. The most common replacements are mixtures of volatile hydrocarbons, typically propane, n-butane and isobutane, all flammable petrochemicals.
These are petroleum based products that leave dangerous residues. These products may be derived from oil, coal, or natural gas and used to make plastics, pesticides, health care products, and cleaners. These chemicals have been linked to cancers, neurological illnesses, and environmental devastation. Dry cleaning chemicals, such as perchloroethylene, are part of this group. These chemicals are commonly listed as ethylene, propylene, benzene, benzol, annulene, phenyl hydride, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and xylene.
Tetrachloroethylene:
also called perchloroethylene, used as a dry cleaning solvent and degreaser, cause skin rashes, headaches, and dizziness Amyl acetate: a synthetic grease cutter, is a neurotoxin implicated in central nervous system depression, found in conventional furniture polishes
Naphthalene:
a member of the carcinogenic benzene family derived from coal tar or made synthetically, known to bioaccumulate in marine organisms, causes allergic skin reactions and cataracts, alters kidney function and is extremely toxic to children, found in conventional deodorizers, carpet cleaners, toilet deodorizers
Methylene chloride:
also called dichloromethane, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor, used in various industrial processes including paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing, beware of inhalation and skin exposure. OSHA considers methylene chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen.
Ammonia:
The scent alone will tell you to stay away. This chemical can irritate the lungs, eyes, and mucus membranes. It is extremely dangerous when mixed with other chemicals such as bleach. Ammonia adds nitrogen to the environment often resulting in disruptions to the ecosystem including toxic effects to plants, fish and animals. Ammonia is included as a toxic chemical on the EPA's Community Right-to-Know list.The FDA also regulates the amount of ammonium compounds in food. Ammonia is found in conventional window cleaners.
Chlorine:
The bleaching agent in household bleach such as Clorox. Though it will get whites whiter, this chemical is extremely irritating to the lungs, skin, and mucus membranes. It was used as a powerful poison in World War I. Chlorine is the household chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings. Chlorine also ranks first in causing industrial injuries and deaths resulting from large industrial accidents. The residues left behind, known as organochlorides, have been linked to many cancers including breast cancer. Studies have also shown a link between chlorine exposure from pools and the development of asthma in young children.
Aerosol Sprays:
Once contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) until prohibited because of effects on the ozone layer. The most common replacements are mixtures of volatile hydrocarbons, typically propane, n-butane and isobutane, all flammable petrochemicals.
What type of cleaners do you use at home??
Many people do not relise that cleaners they use at home or work are toxic.
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Visual News report
Watch this news report. This is more evidence that typical household cleaners are affecting our health.
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Where are your rubber gloves??
Do you know that one square centimeter of skin (the size of a dime) contains 3 million cells and 4 yards of nerves? How do you think nicotine and hormone replacement patches work? Do the chemicals somehow enter the body from the patch through the skin to do their work? Of course they do.This same absorption occurs every time a cleaning product touches your skin. By the way, if your baby happens to crawl across your nicely scrubbed kitchen floor, even several days after, the skin will pick up and absorb whatever harmful chemicals happen to be in the cleaner.
Consumer beware!
Why isn't the consumer informed and protected from the potentially dangerous chemicals contained in cleaning and personal care products?The government has very limited power to regulate and require proper testing.
Products that kill 50% of lab animals can still get designated as "non-toxic".
Of 17,000 household chemicals only about 5,100, or approximately 30%, have been adequately tested and less than 10% have been tested on the nervous system.
No law requires manufactures to list the exact ingredients on the package label.
Natural cleaners could be your answer to better health.
Veriuni all natural cleaners!
Just imagine your peace of mind if you never had to be concerned again about your family suffering from the misuse of harmful cleaning chemicals.Veriuni's environmentally safe cleaning products provide a powerful answer to the harm that ingestion, inhalation and absorption of common household products. Veriuni's products combine all-natural ingredients and vigorous cleaning action for the ultimate in consumer safety and environmental health.
All-natural, gentle and powerful, Veriuni Cleaning Products use only citrus-based oils, as well as ingredients from corn and other replenish able materials. They contain no dyes, artificial fragrances, or pesticide residues. Even our packaging and labels are constructed solely from recycled materials.
The news is incredible, Veriuni's line of environmentally safe cleaning products work like no other cleansers on the market today. Consumers everywhere, including those at businesses, hospitals and schools are switching to environmentally, safe, effective cleaners to increase health among family members, clients and employees.
"Our company has been using the All Purpose Cleaner for over four years now. It has no hazardous chemicals and my employees love the fresh orange scent. Your cleaner is truly an all in one product that works on every surface in our bakery from floors, walls, equipment, counters, baking pans and dishes."
B. Rooden
Keep your family safe with products like these.
environmentally- and family-safe cleansers. Vigorous cleaning action. All-natural ingredients. None of the potentially dangerous irritants and toxins found in traditional cleaners.
Here are some products that you may wish to purchase. That are safe for you, your family, pet's and the environment.
- The Natural All-Purpose Cleaner - Quart
- Cleans any surface not harmed by water. Ideal for use on tile floors, marble, terrazzo and walls. Will not film or streak as it cleans, brightens, and deodorizes surfaces.
- The Natural Hand Dishwashing Detergent - Quart
- This super concentrated, all-natural Dishwashing Detergent cleans and degreases dishes, pots and pans with ease, without the harsh ingredients that irritate sensitive skin. Highly sudsing for maximum performance without the harsh ingredients found in conventional dish products. Outstanding strength even in cold, greasy water.
- The Natural Furniture Protector & Polish - Gallon
- A customer favorite, this unique formula cleans, polishes and protects finished wood, polished metal, finished stone, fiberglass, vinyl, polished stainless steel and all laminated surfaces. Use on furniture, cupboards, countertops, appliances, car interiors, file cabinets, computer equipment and office furnishings.
- The Natural Automatic Dishwashing Gel - Quart
- The Natural Automatic Dishwashing Gel is up to five times more concentrated than many other dishwashing detergents while removing dried on foods as well as tough stains.
- The Natural Laundry Detergent / Softener Quart
- This environmentally safe laundry detergent with built-in fabric softener leaves clothes and linens smelling fresh, looking clean and feeling soft.
- The Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Quart
- This citric acid based cleaner is designed to effectively clean and deodorize the inside of toilet bowls and urinals without the harsh ingredients and strong acids found in other products.
- The Natural Glass and Window Cleaner - Quart
- The Natural Glass and Window Cleaner works on contact to remove fingerprints, soil, grime, water spots, etc. with minimal wiping all while leaving no residue.
- The Natural Basin, Tub & Tile Cleaner - Quart
- Rapidly cleans and removes soap scum and lime from shower walls & doors, sinks, ceramic tile, fiberglass, vinyl, porcelain and stainless steel. Deodorizes as it cleans without generating noxious fumes.
- The Natural Super Orange Clean - Quart
- A ready to use cleaner for carpet, upholstery, vinyl, leather, wood, tile, fiberglass, hands & hair. Removes grease, tar, oil, chewing gum, label and adhesive residue, scuff marks, lipstick, makeup, crayons, wax, carbon & soot from any surface.
- Empty Quart Bottle
- Get yourself an empty quart bottle for easy access to your concentrated Veriuni Cleaning Products. Just add this onto your shopping cart. Get as many as you need for all of the products you order.
- Deluxe Handgrip Sprayer
- Get the best sprayer here for any of your Veriuni products. You can get as many as you need to make all of your Veriuni products easy to use right when you grab them. You don't have to worry about pouring and dumping. With this easy to use sprayer all your products will be ready to use right away.
*Fits Quart size bottles Only.
Start protecting your health today!
Don't waste another minute. You owe it to yourself, your family, friends and employees to get the protection that Veriuni's safe and effective products provide. Access to these earth friendly products is so easy and convenient.Fill your shopping basket with safe products. Get rid of all those harmful products forever and replace them with Veriuni. Just click on the link to visit my store. Which stocks a good range of Veriuni natural cleaning products.
Just how good are these cleaners?
The Veriuni formula is used exclusively by the over 30 National Parks, a few which include Yellowstone, Grant Teton and Yosemite. The formula was also chosen by the City of Santa Monica after conducting tests for the most effective and environmentally safe cleansers for the city's cleaning needs. Warner Brothers and Fox Studios, the University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ and world-famous resorts have also chosen these products to clean their facilities. And most recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is testing these same products for use on its fleet of air and water quality testing ships."The staff had high marks for this product which completely removed organic stains and all trace odors from carpet and upholstered furniture without emitting any noxious fumes or leaving any residues. No other product performed all of these tasks better."
B. White
Now, Veriuni makes these safe products available to you, for use in both your home and your office. A powerful, effective and non-toxic alternative to traditional cleaners.
"The Bathroom Cleaner really does a good job on soap scum in the bathrooms. We have a number of children that come through our business on a daily basis. I wanted our cleaners to be safe for them and the environment. We chose your products because they have no hazardous ingredients. I don't want to dump that stuff into our septic system."
K. Stevens
Safe Eco cleaning
Natural ingredients of safe cleaning that you can make at home.
LemonLemon juice contains citric acid. It acts as a good natural disinfectant, cuts through grease and can make an ideal substitute for bleach. Lemons also have a fresh smell and mixed with vinegar can neutralise the smell. I have used both the juice from fresh lemons and also bottles of juice.
Vinegar
Vinegar is soured fruit juice, grain or wine and is a mild acid. It acts as a good disinfectant and also cuts through grease, grime, dissolves mineral deposits and is also a very good water softener.
Vinegar works well on a lot of surfaces but when green cleaning do not use it on the following.
Hardwood floors - it will make the floor dull and damage the finish
No wax floors - It will take away the sheen
Unsealed grout - overtime the condition of the grout can deteriorate
Stone surfaces - They can be damaged by vinegar.
The good housekeeping institute has stated that it kills 99% bacteria, 82% mould and 80% viruses.
Baking soda
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and is a great all purpose green cleaner. It acts a good abrasive and is great for cleaning pots, baths and sinks.
Borax
Borax is a natural mineral and is a good alternative to bleach. Borax can also deodorise, remove stains and soften water.
Essential oils
Essential oils can be added to other ingredients to both disinfect and fragrance. There are many different oils available and the choice is up to you. The most popular are Lemon, lavender, jasmine and thyme.
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Reader Feedback
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elmikeo
Oct 14, 2009 @ 5:39 pm | delete
- This is a very informative lens, thanks. Remember that you never know what could happen and then no matter your income you can afford the protection to keep your loved ones safe. Get life insurance. This site offers affordable policies for as little as a dollar a day that can really make a difference in the case that something would happen to you. http://www.onedollarglobeinsurance.com. If something happened to me, I would want to know that my loved ones are covered. Don't take my word for it though, check out the site and make your own opinion. Again, very informative lens, I had no idea that my household cleaners could be so dangerous!
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totalhealth
May 22, 2009 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- thank you for these valuable information. we always use, chemical cleaners thinking that we are protecting our family from dirt and disease causing germs but little we know that those chemicals can also harm our family.
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Blessed_Mommy
Apr 27, 2009 @ 7:22 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens....thanks for the information!!!
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wordsmithen
Apr 19, 2009 @ 11:35 am | delete
- Very useful advice presented in a nice lens. 5 stars!
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a_willow
Apr 17, 2009 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- You are one of January 2009 graduates! Come by and answer few questions to show the way to those who will follow! Wish you many, many more great lenses!
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Super_Natural
Mar 31, 2009 @ 11:54 pm | delete
- Nice lens! You've got a great collection of information and resources here. I'd love it if you'd drop by my lens and say hello when you have the chance.
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SoyCandleLover-Maker
Mar 30, 2009 @ 11:50 pm | delete
- I've listed this as a feature lens on my newest lens http://www.squidoo.com/the-10-best-green-clean-blogs Thanks for the great info. 5 stars!
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CarolSue
Mar 5, 2009 @ 12:39 pm | delete
- me again. you had visited my site Creating a Healthy Home and I appreciated your input! I have lensrolled this lens.
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OhMe
Feb 27, 2009 @ 6:40 pm | delete
- Very informative and well done. I learned a lot. Thank you.
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CarolSue
Feb 17, 2009 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- lots of useful information. I also have a lens Creating a Healthy Home which talks about the hazardous of common cleaners. There is also a cost comparison chart on common cleaners and green cleaners, you will be surprised that being green is not expensive. hope you can visit Creating a Healthy Home
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Great Stuff on eBay
Here are a few things that might intrest you
Some good books on how to clean green. As well as some cleaning cloths
Links to other sites that can help you clean green!
Take a look at these.
Take a look at these as they might be able to give you more idea's on how to clean green.
- Videos on green cleaning.
- Make your home clean and green.
- How to clean your house without hurting the planet
- Make your home clean and green, without hurting the planet.
Check out this video
Look at this video for tips on making your own homemade cleaning products. Which are safe to use and good for the environment.
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More home made cleaning tips!
Another step by step guide to making your own, safe household cleaners
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Some more products of intrest
Do you want to help get the message out?
The more people that know of the dangers, that are presented from using common household cleaning products. Is the best way forward in helping clean up our plannet, as well as our health.Why don't you join me and many others in spreading the word. I am an SFI affiliate that focuses on natural cleaning products. I first started as a customer. However I liked the products so much. I wanted as many people as possible to know of the benifits from using natural cleaning products. So I decided to join up and sell these products myself.
SFI is totally FREE for affiliates to join. And there's absolutely NO OBLIGATION. SFI provides you with FREE Websites, a FREE course that teaches you everything you need to know to make money online ($295 value), and hundreds of exciting products to stock your online store shelves with. Including all natural products.
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> by sarahkip
sarahkip
Hello world. I am a working mother. From North East England.I had a turnning point in my life. Which then promted me to start using natural cleaning p... more »
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