Guide to Chemical Free Cleaning

Why Do Cleaning Products Contain Chemicals?

After World War II ended, chemical factories stopped making weapons and started making home cleaning and personal care products. The push for these products into the marketplace was part of the economic stimulus called consumerism. Companies pushed to make homes cleaner, shinier, and smelling like a garden meadow with a heavy reliance on petroleum-based chemistry. When we think of the 1950s, we think of June Cleaver of Leave it to Beaver in her high heels, pearl necklace, and spotless home. This, the space-age home of the future, was what everyone desired, and it was attainable through the science of chemistry. Unfortunately, human health was not within the scope of priorities during the creation of these chemicals. This approach has been the legacy of the modern cleaning and personal care industries today.

Are Chemical Based Cleaning Products Safe?

Most cleaning products today stem from the petroleum-based (organic) chemistry of post-war. The rapid explosion of organic chemistry at the time created thousands of products that are part of our everyday lives today, from plastic storage containers to formaldehyde in many of our household products to flame retardants in baby’s clothes, to toxins in our cleaners and personal care products. Toxins can range from neurotoxins (affecting our nervous systems), reproductive toxins (affecting our reproductive systems, primarily females), respiratory irritants, endocrine, and hormone disruptors, carcinogens (causing cancer), mutagens (causing mutations in our cells), and teratogens (causing congenital disabilities). These are serious concerns within our homes and not something that we would knowingly bring to our family. Yet we unwittingly have because the smiling happy people on the ads are selling a feeling, an experience of clean freedom with no effort, and we want that content, blissful experience. The truth about the health effects of these chemicals has unfortunately been hidden from the general public. The good news is that we can educate ourselves and control what we bring into our homes.

How Are Cleaning Products Allowed to Contain Chemicals?

US laws prevent any person in a corporation from being liable for the products they sell. The second primary reason is that manufacturers can call ingredients “proprietary” and not list them in Safety Data Sheets. Safety Data Sheets are required by international law to list the ingredients and are generally created for worker safety if exposed due to spills or overexposure. Safety Data Sheets are required for all products manufactured. But a product to stand out from its competitors has to keep some ingredients a secret (think Coke and Pepsi). Manufacturers can legally hide the more toxic chemicals within their “proprietary secrets” instead of declaring them. If they mention chemicals, they may conceal their actual name behind their CAS (Chemical Abstract Services) number. For example, instead of listing formaldehyde, they may write it as CAS#50-00-0, giving you no information.

If you do wish to know, you have to dig further. The same Safety Data Sheets are supposed to be available to people purchasing the products. They are often on manufacturers’ websites, but it can be challenging to locate them. You must search specifically and clearly for the safety data sheet for the product in hopes that it comes up. These issues leave little comfort for workers or end-users of the products. At the bare minimum, chemicals should be listed on the packaging.

Are the Fragrances Added to Cleaning Agents Harmful?

It's important to understand that clean does not smell.  Added fragrances are a gimmick: there are no spring meadows trapped inside that spray bottle you have. Air fresheners, plug-ins, etc., can include over 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are unstable petroleum-based products that you can smell, coating your nasal passage and sinus cavities with oily films, then doing the actual damage to your body. While scent-free does not automatically mean healthy, it is a significant first step for most busy homeowners.  Smelly gym bag? Wash it out, or air it outside. Smelly bathroom? Run the bathroom fan. Smelly wet dog? Towel the dog down before letting her in the house. Smelly teenager’s room?  Open a window and air it out.

Where Do You Store Cleaning Products?

Where do you store all of your cleaning products? Under the kitchen and bathroom sinks? Where do you store your potatoes? Also, under the kitchen sink? These do not go together. Try to keep your cleaning products separate from your food. If you have food in your pantry or cupboard, do not keep cleaning products in there. This will make a big difference as some foods are absorptive—meaning they can take in some of these chemicals—which is not ideal.

How Do You Know if a Cleaning Product Is Safe?

Ingredients are often located on the back of the bottle. Are the ingredients listed? If not, consider a different option. If they are, can you translate them? A good rule of thumb is that it is probably bad for you if it has more than seven syllables, numbers, and letters. If it has an EPA number, then it is classified as a pesticide, so be cautious. If you cannot pronounce it, steer clear of it.

How Do You Find Safe Cleaning Products

Most supermarkets have a green aisle which is a great place to start when looking for chemical-free cleaners. You can also look for labels like the EPA’s Safer Choice or the Green Seal logo. Read a few of the same kinds of products to understand the ingredients, check the price points, and see what you can afford. Ideally, you can replace the product-for-product within your home and carry on without any significant disruption.