There are many reasons as to why you should ‘clean green’, the main one being the potential health hazards associated with conventional cleaning products. Is it really worth the risk when the latest information shows exposure over time is linked to asthma, eczema, hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity?
To make an informed decision around cleaning products you need to know what’s in them. Read labels carefully and be aware of ingredients that are harmful to your health. Of course, if you use Green Goddess products you can be assured that we do not use any synthetically derived ingredients, fragrances or harmful chemicals.
EWG.org is a great resource for information on toxins in our environment and in products. Click here for more information.
Here’s what to avoid when purchasing standard cleaning products:
2-butoxyethanol (or ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) and other glycol ethers, commonly found in window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners.
Quaternary ammonium compounds or QUATS (look out for these: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC), benzalkonium chloride, and didecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride) Can be found in fabric softener liquids and sheets, most household cleaners labeled “antibacterial.”
Chlorine Often found in scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners, household tap water.
Ammonia is very strong smelling and found in polishing agents for bathroom fixtures, sinks and jewellery; and can also be in glass cleaner.
Phthalates These are very common, can be found in many fragranced household products, such as air fresheners, dish soap, even toilet paper. Because of proprietary laws, companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents, so you won’t find phthalates on a label. If you see the word “fragrance” on a label, there’s a good chance phthalates are present.
Triclosan is found in most liquid dishwashing detergents and hand soaps labeled “antibacterial.
Perchloroethylene or “PERC” can be found in dry-cleaning solutions, spot removers, and carpet and upholstery cleaners.
Dye Companies often hide chemical information behind this word; when it’s unknown, so safer to skip it.
Sulphates like SLS and SLES are frequently present in cleaning solutions like laundry, dish, and dishwasher detergents to enhance their cleaning effectiveness by producing a foamy lather. Primarily derived from petroleum, sulfates are recognised for their potential to cause irritation to the skin, eyes, mouth, and respiratory system. While not all sulfates are deemed harmful, SLES has the risk of contamination with 1,4-dioxane during its production, and this compound has been associated with cancer in laboratory animals.
Fragrance Many synthetic chemicals in fragrances are petroleum-based and can be harmful to human health. Chemicals found in fragrances include phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens benzophenone and styrene. As mentioned above, because of proprietary laws, companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents. If you see the word “fragrance” on a label avoid the product. For more information on this check out blog Stink, the movice the chemical industry does not want you to see.
Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia). Bleach causes the buildup of chloroform in the air.
A 30-year study done by Harvard University and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research has found that nurses who used bleach and ammonium based disinfectants just once a week increased their chance of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder by up to 32%. COPD can be fatal and affects over 1.2 million people in the UK.
Making your own natural products is a great way to ensure your products are toxin free, here’s a list of the base ingredients you’ll need….
Baking Soda, White Vinegar, Soda Ash, Borax, Oxy-Bleach, Castile Soap, Citric Acid, Cream Of Tartare and Essential Oils.
One of the easiest ways to get started is to purchase one of our Natural Cleaning DIY Kits.
To purchase our book Recipes For A Cleaner Life with all the recipes you’ll need to make the change click here
Or you can buy ready made Green Goddess 100% natural products!
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