Are Your House Cleaning Products Toxic?

worried couple with some chemicals and disinfectants

Are Your House Cleaning Products Toxic?

By : angila
House cleaning is an important task because it maintains the beauty of your house and prevents the growth of germs and bacteria. However, it is even more crucial that you clean your home in the right manner. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make your home a healthier place. The market is flooded with costly cleaning products, but most of them have harsh chemicals like Perchloroethylene, Ammonium chloride and Sodium Hydroxide. When you use these products to clean household surfaces, they release toxic substances, including volatile organic compounds. As a result of that, you can experience irritation in the eyes, nose, throat, headaches, dizziness and so on. Therefore, it is always advisable to use household ingredients that are entirely safe. All reputed companies who offer reliable end of lease cleaning in Melbourne also avoid the branded products. Instead, they prepare their own solution using natural products. If you want to avoid the chemicals, first you need to know about them. Read on to know more about the toxic substance that is present in house cleaning products.

Oven Cleaners

The oven cleaners present in the market have various harmful chemicals such as 2-Butoxyethanol and Sodium Hydroxide. If you inhale 2-Butoxyethanol, it can cause sore throat, narcosis, pulmonary edema, and serious kidney and damage. Sodium Hydroxide can cause a severe burn if it touches the skin or eyes. Therefore, you should avoid purchasing commercial oven cleaners. Instead of a using product, prepare a paste of baking soda and water. Then apply the paste inside the oven and leave it overnight. The next day, use a wet rag to wipe off your oven.

Bathroom and Toilet Cleaners

If you think that you need commercial products to get rid of the dirt and germs present in your bathroom, you should think again. The branded toilet cleaners contain harsh chemicals such as Ammonia and Chlorine. Ammonia can cause breathing problems if you inhale it. Thus, it can be dangerous for people who have asthma. The chlorine can also cause harm if you inhale too much of it. Therefore you should use safe products like baking soda, vinegar, salt, borax, etc., for bathroom cleaning.

Window Cleaners

The window cleaners that you generally use are not safe. It contains chemicals like Ammonia and 2-Butoxyethanol that can cause sore throat, pulmonary edema, narcosis, breathing problem, etc. if you want to clean your windows in a chemical-free manner, then you should use white vinegar. Mix vinegar and warm water into a spray bottle and apply the solution to the windows. Then scrub the surface using a soft sponge and finally wipe with a squeegee. You can also clean mirrors in the same manner. Professionals who offer professional end of lease cleaning in Melbourne also use their own products made of natural products.

Air Fresheners

Air fresheners emit more than 100 different chemicals that include volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds like Phthalates. It can cause severe liver and lungs damage. Studies have also found that Air fresheners also contain formaldehyde. It is a toxic compound that can cause cancer of the nose and throat. So, instead of using chemically load air-fresheners, you can improve the ventilation of the house. You can also use essential oil for cleaning purpose as it can help to eliminate the bad smell.

Drain Cleaners

The main purpose of the drain cleaner is to remove the gunk present inside the drain. Therefore, the manufacturers use sodium hydroxide – a chemical that can eliminate stuff like grease, hair, etc. However, sodium hydroxide can be very harmful if you inhale the fumes it releases. It can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. If you want to clean your clogged drain safely, pour baking soda in it, followed by white vinegar. Wait for a few minutes and then finally pour boiling water into it.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners

The carpet and upholstery cleaners available in the market are not only costly but also contain harsh chemicals such as Perchloroethylene. Its side effects include irritation in the eyes and respiratory tract, kidney dysfunction, and neurological effects like behavioural changes, reversible mood, impairment of coordination, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, etc. Therefore, instead of using such products, use a vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner on such surface. If you want to remove the bad smell, sprinkle baking soda on the surface evenly and leave it overnight. The following day, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the surface.

Dishwashing Detergent and Soaps

The dishwashing detergents and hand soaps that are labelled as antibacterial use chemicals like Phthalates, Triclosan. These chemicals have a negative impact on the body and affect your organs. So, you should avoid using such products and opt for any mild soap or castile soap.

The Bottom Line

The house cleaning products you are using for years have harmful chemicals. So, you are concerned about nature and your health, switch to green cleaning and start using natural ingredients. Household products are not only safe but also more cost-effective and easier to use. And if you are hiring experienced end of lease cleaners in Melbourne, make sure they also use eco-friendly products.