How Toxic Are Your Commercial Cleaning Supplies?

We all have an idea of a perfect home in our minds – clean, tidy, no mess. Whilst true minimalist living might not be practical for most of us, living in a clean house makes for better overall health.

To achieve this, we often slather surfaces with whatever citrus smelling product we can find, in the biggest squeezy-spray bottle we can get our rubber-gloved hands on. But did you know, many potions we apply to surfaces in our home to kill germs, actually release chemicals into the air, long after they have been wiped away?

Many cleaning products contain strong abrasives, often advertised as ‘disinfectants’, and it’s these chemicals that pose risks to our health, as well as our children and pets. The hazard does not end there, with these substances polluting our water systems and impacting agriculture upon their disposal.

Have you ever cleaned the oven and then found yourself with a headache? Whilst it’s unlikely to be the ‘allergy to cleaning’ you advised your friends you have, it could be linked to inhaling cleaning fumes. Other common issues experienced from the chemicals in commercial cleaning supplies include skin and eye irritation and dizziness.

Whilst manufacturers may argue that the toxicity levels are minimal and unlikely to cause long term health issues, we use these products to get a cleaner house. More often than not, we inadvertently end up filling our homes with a plethora of allergens and toxins.

Try these Natural Non Toxic Alternatives

From mildew removers to glass polishers, luckily there is a range of natural alternatives to commercial cleaning supplies that will still clean your home, without the pesky pollutants.

Essential Oils

Try mixing some of your favourite essential oils with water in a spray bottle, for a super easy room freshener without the chemicals.

White Vinegar

Instead of using a toxic glass cleaner, try cleaning mirrors and windows with a white vinegar and water mixture in a spray bottle. Polish the surface with some newspaper. Not only is this method toxin-free, but newspaper will also reduce the streaks you often get on the glass after using a standard cloth.

You can also use white vinegar or cola to clean the toilet; a perfect use for the next time you reach for a bottle and it has gone flat, as it makes for a great cleaner for the loo!

Homemade Household Cleaner

Combining essential oils with bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar into a spray bottle makes for an excellent multi-purpose cleaner. A cleaner that is kind to your home, your skin and your lungs.

References

https://www.care.com/c/en-gb/stories/5919/7-benefits-of-green-cleaning/

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