Uncover the hidden health hazards lurking under your kitchen sink and discover the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning products for a healthier environment at home.
When it comes to keeping our homes clean, it's easy to grab the nearest cleaning product and get to work. However, did you know that many of the products under your kitchen sink contain toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your health?
In this post, we'll take a closer look at some of the dangerous chemicals that could be lurking in your cleaning products and provide some alternative eco-friendly cleaning options to help you create a healthier home environment.
By making a few simple changes to the products you use, you can have a safer and healthier home for you and your family.
The Hidden Dangers Of Conventional Kitchen Cleaners
The stronger the cleaning product, the better it works, right?
Well… not so fast. Traditional products often contain synthetic dyes and fragrances, as well as controversial ingredients that haven't been fully studied. You might be surprised to learn that there are no federal regulations requiring companies to disclose what's in their soaps and sprays.
Many conventional cleaning products used in kitchens for common cleaning tasks, like disinfecting countertops and cleaning floors, contain a laundry list of concerning chemicals that can negatively impact your health and the environment.
In fact, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports cleaning chemicals rank among the top 5 health hazards in the home and can contribute to significant health issues when inhaled or absorbed through the skin over time, including:
- Toxicity to your brain and nervous system
- Respiratory issues
- Cancer as many cleaning products contain known carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde
- Elevated risk of birth defects
- At a minimum, allergic reactions, chemical burns, and poisoning.
Even more concerning is that these harsh chemicals don't break down quickly and can accumulate in your body, potentially leading to chronic conditions like asthma, cancer, and reproductive issues.
Frequent use of commercial cleaning products with harmful chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and synthetic fragrances can irritate eyes and airways and cause headaches and dizziness. These synthetic chemicals also get washed down drains and contaminate the water supply, disrupting fragile aquatic ecosystems.
Rather than exposing yourself and the environment to dangerous conventional cleaning products, you can achieve excellent cleaning results using simple, natural cleaners with non-toxic ingredients that are just as effective.
Our Top Picks For Organic Cleaners For The Kitchen:
Common Toxic Chemicals Found In Conventional Cleaning Products
Many commercial cleaners contain harmful ingredients not listed on their product label. You'll need to do some digging to determine if some of these common culprits are found in your favorite cleaning products. We like to use EWG's Healthy Cleaning Guide to help us avoid unwanted harmful substances in our cleaning products. Here are some dangerous chemicals commonly found in regular cleaning products that you'll want to avoid.
- Phthalates - added to help fragrances linger. These endocrine disruptors are linked to developmental and reproductive issues.
- Triclosan - an antimicrobial chemical added to products like dish soap. It disrupts hormone function and exacerbates the growing problem of bacterial resistance.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLSs) - sudsing agents that can irritate skin and eyes. SLSs make cleaning products foam, but it aren't necessary for effective cleaning. They can also strip away your skin's protective oils, enabling other toxins to penetrate further. This can worsen skin irritation and conditions like eczema.
- Ammonia - an effective yet highly irritating cleansing agent. Inhaling the fumes can cause respiratory problems.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - ingredients like benzene and formaldehyde that vaporize at room temperature. VOCs contribute to indoor air pollution and an increased carbon footprint.
The Health Risks Associated With Exposure To These Chemicals
Phthalates and VOCs like formaldehyde are known carcinogens linked to cancers of the lungs, liver, bladder, and more. These sneaky chemicals permeate our homes through scented laundry detergents, dry-cleaned clothes, and personal care products like hand soap and bar soap.
Triclosan disrupts critical hormone activities in the body, contributing to reproductive problems, early onset of puberty, and reduced fertility. Unfortunately, it can be found in plenty of common cleaning chemicals added to everything from toothpaste to dish soap for its antimicrobial properties.
Ammonia and SLS irritate mucous membranes, exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma. Chronic exposure to these chemical cleaners constricts airways, making breathing difficult. Sensitive groups like young children and seniors are at the highest risk when inhaling fumes from acidic cleaners containing these harsh ingredients.
The Environmental Impact
The toxic ingredients in traditional cleaners don't just jeopardize our personal health, but they also pose significant environmental hazards.
When washed down drains, chemicals like SLS, ammonia, and phthalates contaminate groundwater and aquatic life. These substances persist in the environment, leaching into local water supplies and impacting local wildlife.
Phthalates and other hormone disruptors are especially damaging to marine life. Exposure can impair reproduction and development in species like salmon and trout.
Making matters worse, standard cleaning chemicals require energy-intensive manufacturing processes, generating more carbon emissions. But small changes in our homes can go a long way to have a meaningful impact.
Suggested Reading: Natural Bathroom Products: 15 Must-Haves to Step Up Your Clean Routine
Making The Switch: Why Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products?
Defining "Eco-Friendly" In Household Cleaning Products
Eco-friendly cleaning products are made from plant-based ingredients and mineral-based ingredients. They use natural surfactants like coconut oil to cut grease instead of harsh detergents. Terms like "natural" or "green" on labels can be misleading, so look for certified USDA organic formulas made from simple ingredients that you recognize.
Reading Labels the Right Way
With so many products claiming to be "natural products" on the market, it can be difficult to know which is truly a natural cleaning product and which is simply greenwashed.
To ensure that you are purchasing natural, green cleaning products, it is important to pay close attention to the product labels. Here are a few key things to look for:
- Eco-friendly certifications: Look for eco-friendly certifications from reputable organizations, such as Green Seal, UL Ecologo, USDA BioPreferred, EPEAT, or Cradle to Cradle Certified. These certifications indicate that the product has met strict environmental standards.
- Natural ingredients: You can go wrong with products that list natural ingredients that you can pronounce, such as vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and plant-based surfactants. Avoid products that contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
- Hazard warnings: Avoid products that contain hazardous ingredients, such as ammonia, chlorine, phthalates, or VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- Cruelty-free: Certifications from organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA guarantee that a product is cruelty-free and that no animals were harmed in the testing and development of the product.
- Recyclable packaging: Products that come packaged in glass, cardboard, aluminum, or recycled products are a good added bonus to look for when considering eco-friendly cleaning products.
In addition to looking for these labels and certifications, we also recommend doing your own research on the ingredients in cleaning products. There are a number of online resources that can help you identify hazardous ingredients.
By following these tips, you can be sure that you are purchasing natural, organic cleaning products that are safe for your home and the environment.
Additional tips for reading cleaning product labels:
- Don't be fooled by marketing claims. Just because a product is labeled as "green" or "eco-friendly" does not mean that it is safe or natural.
- Read the entire ingredient list, not just the front of the label. Some products may list natural ingredients on the front of the label but then contain hidden synthetic ingredients in the fine print.
- If you are unsure about the safety of a particular ingredient, look it up online or ask a healthcare professional.
Tips For Making the Switch to Organic Cleaning Products
- Start small. Don't try to replace all of your cleaning products at once. Instead, start by switching out one or two new eco-friendly products at a time. Use your new products in an inconspicuous area to test them out. This will give you a chance to get used to the new products and see how they work.
- Do your research. Not all organic cleaning products are created equal. Some products may be more effective than others. Take some time to read reviews and compare different brands before you make a purchase.
- Don't be afraid to make your own cleaning products. Making your own cleaning products is a great way to save money and customize the products to your specific needs.
- Be patient. It may take some time to adjust to a new cleaning process using organic cleaning products. However, with a little patience, you'll be able to find ones that work well for you and your home.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainability and Responsibility
Choosing plant-based cleaning products supports sustainable agriculture and responsible companies. These eco-friendly businesses help protect our ecosystems by using biodegradable ingredients and recycled packaging. Plus, organic cleaners eliminate plastic waste from single-use wipes and empty spray bottles.
Clean and Green: Our Favorite Organic Cleaners For The Kitchen
Here are some of our favorite tried and tested non-toxic cleaning kits that are a great way to get started overhauling your cleaning supplies.
The Rebel Green Complete Home Care Set really surprised us. Though the upfront cost may seem a little pricey, it does include a variety of green cleaners that are efficient, effective, and eco-friendly. The full kit includes:
Natural Fruit & Veggie Wash
Laundry Detergent
Hand Soap
Dish Soap
All Purpose Spray
The multi-surface cleaner worked wonders on our countertops and left a fresh scent that wasn't overpowering. The dish soap also effectively cuts through grease, leaving our dishes sparkling clean. We were initially skeptical about the laundry detergent, but it worked just as well as our usual detergent, leaving our clothes clean and smelling great.
We appreciated this set because it's free from harsh chemicals, making it safe for our family and pets. Plus, the packaging is recyclable, which is always a plus in our book.
The BLUELAND Clean Kit concentrates are incredibly easy to use - you just add water to the fill line on the bottle, drop in the concentrate tablet, and wait for it to dissolve. The resulting cleaning solutions are effective and smell great.
Of course, we love that this kit is eco-friendly. The reusable spray bottle means less plastic waste, and the concentrates come in small tablets that reduce packaging waste. Plus, the concentrates are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals.
The reusable spray bottles and long-lasting concentrates make it a great investment for anyone looking to reduce their exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals. And the fact that the concentrates are so long-lasting means that you’ll save money in the long run.
We were especially impressed with the bathroom cleaner - it easily removed soap scum and grime without any harsh chemicals.
We were really impressed with the quality and effectiveness of the Honest Company cleaning products. Even without the harsh chemicals, these products easily cut through any mess throughout our entire home, even in the kitchen in bathroom, which are notoriously hard to keep clean.
This kit includes a bathroom cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, and glass cleaner. We loved the bathroom cleaner easily removed soap scum and hard water stains without any harsh fumes or lingering chemical smells. The bottles are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, and the concentrates come in small refill packets to reduce packaging waste.
The quality is top-notch, and the sustainable packaging is a plus.
This blog post was all about the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning products.
Switching from traditional cleaning products to natural organic cleaners is an important step towards creating a healthier home. The hidden toxins in conventional cleaning products can negatively impact human health and the environment when absorbed over time.
By making simple swaps to plant-based ingredients, you can avoid exposure to chemicals that could potentially lead to chronic health issues. It’s easier than you think, thanks to ready-made kits packed with effective eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
We recommend starting with a kit like the Rebel Green Complete Home Care Set, the BLUELAND Clean Home Kit, or the Honest Company Conscious Cleaning Clean Vibes Kit. These provide a range of natural cleaning products to tackle all your kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and general cleaning needs.
Protect yourself, your family, and the planet by purging harmful chemicals from under your sink. Remember, small changes can add up to make a meaningful impact. Share this post to spread the word about the dangers lurking in conventional cleaners and the healthy, sustainable alternatives now available!
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