Article by Karen Reed

There are so many cleaning agents available. They all tell you they are perfect for getting rid of grease, dirt, dust, and much more.  you will see marketing material about how they will leave your home spotless and help with the cleaning process considerably, saving you more time throughout the day.

But what they do not tell you is all the dangers they cause. Sure, there will be the odd warning on the bottles.  you will read that you should not put them in your eyes or mouth and that children should not use them. These types of warnings are self-explanatory, right?

There are other health risks and problems linked to the products. The issues are not raised in marketing materials, unless maybe if you look at the very fine print. Before you start using anything in your home, make sure they are safe for the whole family.

To help you determine if something is safe or not, we are giving you the ultimate list of cleaning agents that are bad for your health. They may be bad physically or mentally, both visible and invisible. Some of the brands are going to be well-known and likely ones that you already have in your home! It is time to make some changes.

Lysol Disinfectant Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner

If you swallow this toilet cleaner, there are some fatal consequences. The chemicals that kill the bacteria are highly corrosive and will damage the inside of your body. While you likely will not intentionally swallow the cleanser, there is a risk of children getting their hands on it. The tub has a child-proof cap, but you can go one step further by putting the product out of reach of small hands.

You should watch for any of the product from getting into the eyes. It is very easy for splash back when using it. The corrosive chemicals will cause permanent damage to the eyes if it gets in there.

2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleanser

Chlorine disks are commonly bought for the toilet. They are easier to use and require less time cleaning out the toilet. However, they do have their dangers, especially when it comes to children and pets. The product does not actually come with a child- or pet-proof cap, so you need to make sure it stays completely out of reach if you choose to buy it. Many pets have died because they have assumed the disk was a plastic chew toy.

Chlorine is a type of bleach and will burn through the inside of the body. While they do not damage septic systems, or plumbing like some harsher chemicals, they can still be poisonous if swallowed. They can also cause burning in the hands, so use rubber gloves when handling them.

Glade, Air Wicks Scent Sprays

Want to make your home smell good? You likely turn to home air scents from the like of Glade. Sure, Glade Air Wicks are easy to use, but they are harmful to the health.

First, they can be fatal if inhaled.s This is usually if misused, but this should still be alarming considering you are meant to breathe in the scents in the home! The Air Wick fresheners carry all the same warning labels as furniture polish and you certainly wouldn’t use that to add nicer scents to your home!

Remember that they are also aerosol cans. These are regularly misused, and it is easy for young hands to use them without realizing how dangerous they are.

The chemicals in the products can also cause breathing problems. This is one of the reasons for an increase in allergies and asthma attacks. The chemicals irritate the breathing tubes and the lungs, causing lesions and damage.

Most of Laundry Detergents

Watch out for the laundry detergents that you use. Most of the brands have harmful chemicals in this. In fact, some use carcinogens like formaldehyde to help clean the clothes. You wouldn’t add this to your family home if you realized, would you? Make sure you check the ingredients list of any detergent you buy.

Formaldehyde is sometimes labeled as formalin. It is a recognized carcinogen and linked to an increase in allergies and asthma attacks. The chemical causes irritation and problems within the lungs and can be deadly.

The problem with many laundry detergents is they smell good. Children believe they are safe because of this; they do not understand all the ingredients. Then you have some that are capsules, which look like chew toys and gel substances. It is easy to see why and how children are killed so easily by them. There are no child-proof caps on most boxes and tubs once they have been opened, so it is up to you to keep your children safe.

Tarn-X Tarnish Remover

Want to get rid of the tarnished sections on your furniture and woodwork? A tarnish remover is something that you will likely turn to. After all, it is quick, easy and effective, right?

Well, unfortunately, Tarn-X’s tarnish remover is full of ingredients that are classed as “hazardous to the health.” One of those ingredients is thiourea, another known carcinogen. If you handled the product as an employee, you would learn that there are warnings for repeated exposure. It can cause fetal and reproductive effects.

That means it can cause a problem for fertility. If you do get pregnant, it can cause some fetal deformities and health problems.

Hagerty Liquid Jewelry Cleaner

Likewise, many jewelry cleaners have perchloroethylene, another toxic carcinogen. Considering you likely get the product on your hands, you will absorb the toxins directly through the skin and into the body. This can make the product more dangerous than many others, so you will want to wear gloves when using it.

Right now, the product is a “probable carcinogen,” which gives companies the get-out clause to continue adding it without backlash. Do not put your health at risk when there are natural jewelry cleaners and tarnish removers out there.

Spic and Span Cleaners

Whether you get the floor or multi-surface cleaner, Spic and Span are known for their dangerous products. In fact, their products are banned in some parts of the world because of the ingredients they use. This should indicate just how dangerous they are.

The products use nonylphenol ethoxylate, which is banned throughout the European Union and in California. Studies have shown that the chemical disrupts the hormone system. People have seen many health problems due to a disruption in their hormones, including cancer, fetal deformities, and mental health issues.

Why are not others banned but this one is? Well, it is also due to the way that the chemical persists within the environment. It will hang around for hours and days afterward, so everyone walking into your home will be at risk.

Mop & Go Cleaners

Like Spic and Span, Mop & Go floor and surface cleaners have also been banned in some parts of the world. It is because of a different chemical, methoxydiglyol. While it hasn’t been entirely banned in the European Union, there are strict allowances for it.

Studies have shown that this product can lead to some deformities in children. It has also been blamed for miscarriages and stillbirths. Mop & Go is one of the most dangerous brands because the concentration is 15 times more than that allowed within the European Union.

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner

You have likely looked at bathroom cleaners and found Scrubbing Bubbles. It is not that surprising it is popular when it is supposed to be antibacterial. However, it is one of the most dangerous bathroom cleaners you can buy. Like the previous floor and surface cleaners, this is one of those banned in some parts of the world.

It has a solvent known as butoxydiglycol. While the European Union allows it, there are strict levels allowed in aerosol cleaners. The concentration is around 10%, which is 7% higher than the allowed amount.

The chemical has been linked to breathing and chest problems. It irritates and inflames the lungs, leading to asthma and other breathing problems. It can also lead to some fluid in the lungs if the exposure continues.

Plus, using antibacterial products is not always a good idea. These products are natural antibacterial treatments and do not adapt in the same way that the bacteria do. Eventually, the bacteria will become resistant, so you just have a cleaner that scratches the surface and causes far more problems than it offers benefits.

DampRid Mildew Stain Remover

Looking for a way to get rid of stains around the home? Overlook the DampRid Mildew Stain Remover. It is full of a solvent called 2-butoxyethanol and nonylphenol ethoxylate. It is not surprising that the European Union completely bans it, but Canada has too. There are caps on the amount of both hazardous solvents in their products.

Both have been linked to various long-term health problems. Studies also show that they may cause birth defects and stillbirths.

EASY-Off Fune Free Oven Cleaner

You know that a lot of oven cleaners are bad for you. The fumes they give off can cause dizziness and nausea. If you feel sick, then it is a good sign that the product does nothing for your health. But now companies are making fume free oven cleaners. Surely these are good for you.

Well, that is definitely not the case. EASY-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner is full of that butooxydiglycol that the Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner has. It does not have quite as much, sitting at between 5% and 10%, but the concentration is still stronger than the 3% that the EU allows. Even though there are no fumes, you are still going to breathe in the chemicals.

You do not need the products for cleaning your ovens. Some water in a bowl with the oven on will create steam that makes it much easier to get rid of the dirt and grime!

Anything in a Plastic Bottle

Any household cleaning product that comes with a plastic bottle needs to be avoided. This is especially the case if they have BPA. While you will find most of companies’ market food and baby products as BPA-free, they do not think about the problems when it comes to cleaning products.

BPA is one of the most dangerous synthetic products on the market. It mimics hormonal effects in the body, completely disrupting your endocrine system. The BPA soaks from the bottles into the products, so you will release them into the environment when you use them.

It is often difficult to avoid plastic bottles, but there are a few options. Find out about companies that recycle their packaging and focus on BPA and chemical free plastic bottles for storage and use.

Any Antibacterial Cleaning Products

While they sound like they should be good, antibacterial products are something to avoid with a passion. Not only do they cause the problem we have already mentioned, but they can also actually be more harmful to the health than good. The CDC says that antibacterial products interfere with a child’s immune system development. It is harder for children to develop natural protection from natural bacteria and it can lead to some allergies and other health problems.

The most common additive you will find is triclosan. It is found in soaps, toothpaste, cleaners, and even some underwear!

Having some germs in the house is not actually that bad for you! In fact, it can be better than having a completely spotless and germ-free house. The immune system needs to interact with some germs. It needs to get used to them, so it knows what to fight off and what’s not actually that harmful. Soap and water are usually all you will need for washing, so get rid of antibacterial products from the shopping list.

Anything with “Fragrance” or “Parfum”

Do you really know what’s added to your products? The ingredients list does not tell you everything. While companies have a duty to declare their products, they get away with not doing so if they would give away “trade secrets.” To get around disclosing every single pathogen and chemical used in their products, they will say that there is “fragrance” or “parfum.”  you will find this ingredient listed on shampoos and conditions, cleansers, air fresheners, and so much more.

You want to avoid anything with “fragrance” or “parfum.” They are dangerous because of the chemicals that could be added. Some of them will have 5,000 chemicals making up this one ingredient!

One of the most common problematic chemicals is phthalates. Like BPA, phthalates can disrupt the endocrine systems. They can reduce the sperm count in men and disrupt the monthly cycle in women, causing fertility issues. Studies have also shown that they can cause skin irritations and other health problems, sometimes just by touching the liquids!

Natural fragranced products are safer. Just double check the ingredients lists that they are naturally scented.

Put Your Family Safe with Household Cleaning Products

It is time to check your products again. Some will claim to clean the kitchen, bathroom, and more, but they can also cause major health problems for your whole family. This is more than accidentally swallowing some bleach. The products can cause permanent eye damage and disrupt hormonal balances. Breathing in the fumes can lead to birth defects and major health problems.

The best thing you can do is avoid them completely. Vote with your feet and look for the healthier options to clean your home.

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