What in the world are you cleaning with?

The cleaners that we use in our homes might be slowly killing us.  Okay, I'm being a little dramatic, but did you know that there have been deaths and permanent damage to humans from injesting chemicals in their homes?  It makes you wonder why in the world these products are even in our homes.  Many of us use the harmful chemicals because we think that we are protecting our family from harmful germs.  These products are harming us just as much, if not more than whatever it was that we were trying to clean up.  I found this awesome website that laid out some of the most common and most hazardous cleaners that are found in our homes.  Here they are:

"AIR FRESHENERS:  Air fresheners interfere with your ability to smell by releasing nerve-deadening agents or coating nasal passages with an oil film, usually methoxychlor, a pesticide that accumulates in fat cells. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener are formaldehyde, a highly toxic, known carcinogen, and phenol. When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. "

Wow.  This one freaks me out!  I remember hearing about this awhile back.  I don't use any of those air fresheners any more because we are constantly exposed to them and breathing them all day long.

"AMMONIA:  is a very volatile chemical and is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin."

I was curious, so I looked up the cleaners that contain ammonia and they are typically window cleaners, floor polishing waxes, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, multisurface cleaners, oven cleaners and stainless-steel cleaners.

"ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: may contain triclosan, which is absorbed through the skin and can be tied to liver damage."

Almost all of the hand soap now has triclosan in it, including a lot of bar soaps.  Look at the labels to find out before you buy this awful stuff. 

"BLEACH: is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. Never mix bleach with acid toilet bowl cleaners or ammonia. These mixtures may produce fumes which can be DEADLY. "

Seriously, that just sounds awful.  Keep it away from me.  Coma!

"CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY SHAMPOO: Most formulas are designed to over power the stain itself; they accomplish the task but not without using highly toxic substances. Some include perchlorethylene, a known carcinogen that damages liver, kidney and nervous system damage; and ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages."

Uuuummm, I'll try something else and deal with the urine smell if I have to.

"CHLORINE: The first agent of chemical warfare was chlorine. WWII ended with an abundance of this cheap chemical. In the name of huge profits, it was added to our water supply and many other products. Chlorine is the number one cause of breast cancer and can be lethal. Scientists won't handle chlorine without protective gloves, facemasks, and ventilation, yet it is in most store-brand cleaners, including dishwasher detergents. The harmful effects are intensified when the fumes are heated, as in the shower. It ís in our drinking water, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, and more."

This one has totally ruined swimming pools for me.  Good thing I can't swim anyways.  The last time I took my kids swimming all I could think about was the horrible chemical they were swimming around in.

"DISHWASHER DETERGENTS: Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated. The #1 cause of household poisoning is dish detergent. Dishwashing liquids are labeled"harmful if swallowed." Each time you wash your dishes, some residue is left on them, which accumulates with each washing. Your food picks up part of the residue -- especially if your meal is hot when you eat it."

This one has been the hardest for me to change.  I have not had a lot of luck with making this at home and the "clean" brands don't work well.  If someone knows a good one, shoot me a message please!

"FURNITURE POLISH: contain petroleum distillates, which are highly flammable and can cause skin and lung cancer. They contain nitrobenzene, which is easily absorbed through the skin and extremely toxic."

"LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: Laundry detergents contain phosphorus, enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, sodium nitilotriacetate and countless other chemicals. These substances can cause rashes, itches, allergies, sinus problems and more. The residue left on your clothes, bed sheets, etc. is absorbed through your skin, as is everything else you touch."

"OVEN CLEANER: one of the most toxic products people use. They contain lye and ammonia, which eat the skin, and the fumes linger and affect the respiratory system. Then there ís the residue that ís intensified the next time you turn your oven on. Use sea salt and baking soda instead."

I'm am SO going to try the baking soda and sea salt thing!

"TOILET BOWL CLEANERS: usually contain hydrochloric acid, a highly corrosive irritant to both skin and eyes that damages kidneys and liver; and hypochlorite bleach, a corrosive irritant that can burn eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Toilet bowl cleaners also may cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal."

Well, that about sums it up.  So...what in the world are you cleaning with?

I will be doing another post about what in the world we CAN clean with that is safe!