Even people who don’t like cleaning become obsessed with it after the arrival of newborn babies. This is completely normal – we want to protect our kids. During the first few years of the life of the child we tend to use stronger, heavy-duty cleaners in order to keep dirt and bacteria away from our homes. However, there is a lot of evidence, that common housecleaning products may cause more harm, than good to human health.
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Commercial cleaners often contain highly toxic ingredients, which can cause various health issues, especially to toddlers, elderly and pets – the most vulnerable family members. All parents know, that it is good to keep these products beyond children’s reach, but this isn’t enough – the toxic vapors and residues from these cleaners stay in the air and can still harm our health.
Here are 3 of the most dangerous cleaning products we use most often around the house, as well as some suggestions on how to replace them.
All Purpose Cleaners
A lot of commercially sold all-purpose cleaners contain foaming agents diethanolamine and triethanolamine (often labeled as DEA and TEA). These compounds react with nitrites (used as preservatives) and form carcinogenic nitrosamine, which easily penetrates skin. Other ingredients such as nerve damaging 2-Butoxyethanol, can also penetrate skin. All-purpose cleaners containing ammonia cause respiratory irritations, especially to vulnerable family members – children and elderly. These and other toxic ingredients are the reason you should take it easy with the use of such products at home, especially if you have baby or toddler. You can safely and effectively use soap, hot water, baking soda, vinegar and castile soap as a substitute to all-purpose cleaners.
Bathroom and Toilet Cleaners
These products contain sulfates, that can trigger asthma attacks, bleach, phosphoric acid, or sodium peroxide that irritate and burn eyes, skin, lungs and can cause damage to internal organs if ingested. These chemicals often leave residues and pollute the air. This is why the safest thing is to avoid using them, especially if there is a child in your home. You can substitute these cleaners with soap, baking soda and borax to scrub dirt and limestone in your bathroom and toilet. Another option is to buy certified green-cleaning product for your bathroom and toilet.
Check also: 3 surprising ways to use salt when cleaning your home.
Antibacterial Cleaners and Disinfectants
Cleaning products, labeled as antibacterial contain germ-killing pesticides. Antibacterial cleaners can also contain alkylphenol ethoxylates – hormone disruptors, which don’t biodegrade easily. It is rational to kill some kinds of bacteria like salmonella, and e-coli, but when using antibacterial and disinfecting products excessively, we simply help germs become more resistant and kill some good bacteria, altogether with harmful kinds. For developing organisms such as babies and children clean environment is a must. However their immune system must develop and be able to fight some germs and bacteria on its on. For most house cleaning chores you can use castile soap and hot water. Use methyl alcohol to disinfect surfaces safely.
We at Keen clean use powerful equipment and certified eco-friendly products and detergents. Don’t hesitate to book our home cleaning experts in London if you want efficient, safe and eco-friendly service.
