Did you know that many home cleaning products are not regulated and contain dangerous chemicals? If you’re using a product that claims it is a disinfectant or antibacterial it likely has a pesticide in it or a chemical of concern.

In order to better understand what to look out for on the label, we’ve pulled the top common chemical offenders to become familiar with when skipping the chemicals to clean your home.

• Triclosan
• Quaternary ammonium compounds
• Phthalates
• Synthetic musks
• Formaldehyde
• Hydrochloric acid
• Phosphoric acid
• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium hydroxide
• Ethanolamines
• Chloroform
• Ammonia
• Chlorine

You can learn more about these chemicals on EWG’s website.

Studies show that cleaning with toxic chemicals can have adverse health consequences like lowered immunity and antibiotic resistance. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there isn’t enough science to show that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. If it sanitizes, disinfects, cuts grease, or kills mold and mildew, it almost always contains a pesticide. Most of these products contain bacteria-killing quaternary ammonium compounds that have been linked to numerous diseases. Toxic cleaners also add to poor indoor air quality. According to EWG, “inhalation of airborne particles is linked to coughs and respiratory irritation, as well as more serious long-term consequences including lung disease and cancer.” Lastly, these chemicals don’t just harm us but get into our waterways and harm the environment and wildlife as well.

All of us want clean homes especially during spring but when choosing alternatives, the question may arise, what is the safe way to clean? We’ve come up with some spring cleaning solutions that will help you clean your home and help you stay healthy all year long.

• One of our brand partners, Dr. Bronner’s, has an excellent multi-purpose cleaner called Sal Suds, and it can be used to clean dishes, floors, laundry, and more. It is the ultimate multi-purpose household cleaner! Also, Dr. Bronner’s received an A from EWG’s guide to healthy cleaning.
• If you’re looking for a product that cuts down on the plastic waste concerns of using store-bought cleaning products, try Branch Basics concentrate and refillable glass bottles. They have a starter kit that contains one solution that will take care of your laundry, dishes, floors, windows, and even your bathrooms. What’s more, is they work!
• Seventh Generation is also a great brand that gets top honors on many of EWG’s Green Cleaning Products categories.
• If you don’t want to buy a product and would like to make your own multi-purpose cleaner you can mix a ½ cup of organic vinegar with 3 cups of filtered water and 6 drops of an organic essential oil to clean your surfaces.
• You can also search EWG’s Top Green Cleaning Products to find the perfect match for all your cleaning needs.

In addition to these solutions, you can use soap, water, baking soda and vinegar in various DIY recipes to clean your home. Skipping the chemicals is easy when you have healthy alternatives. In some cases you’ll not only be using a safer product you will save money not buying expensive brand name products that aren’t good for you or the environment. When you make a choice to skip the chemicals in all your product purchases you’re casting a vote for a healthier future for us all.

Let us know what safe cleaning products you’re using to clean your home and share this blog with a friend.