How To Deal With Cleaning Product Labels

Did you know that manufacturers are not required to list every ingredient that they place into their cleaning products onto the label?  Because of this lack of regulation, many of the cleaning products you use in your home could be extremely toxic and contain chemicals that could cause health problems for you, your family, or your pets down the road.  

In fact, the New York Poison Control Center did a study on cleaning products and found that 85 percent of the labels were inadequate when it came to stating what was actually contained in the products.  Start safe practices and learn how to read cleaning product labels so that you can keep toxins out of your home for good!

Heed the warning.  If a label contains the words "danger", "warning", or "poison" it is pretty obvious that it should be avoided at all costs.  You do not want to put poison where your dog or child might walk, eat, or even touch.  However, these warnings address only immediate health risks.  For products whose effects on our health take more time, there may be no warning on the label at all.

Know what could happen.  Toxic cleaning products can produce health risks in numerous ways.  Many are toxic to the respiratory and circulatory systems over time.  Others can cause damage to your mucous membranes, bone marrow, liver or kidney.  Still others can depress your nervous system, or are suspected to be carcinogens.  If it were your choice, would you ever keep these things in your household and willingly touch or inhale them?

Educate yourself.  So, you are ready to turn around, throw all of your cleaning products out and start fresh.  But, wait.  Do not think that by purchasing products that advertise their environmental friendliness that you are any closer to detoxifying your home.  These manufacturers still do not have to list every ingredient that is contained in their products, and so it is important to do your research.

The more, the better.  Manufacturers who provide the most amount of information on their label are generally the most trustworthy.  Check to see if there is a long list of ingredients on the bottle, and make sure that none of them include the words "petroleum-based surfactants", "chlorine" or "phosphates".  Look for the words "non-toxic" and "biodegradable" rather than "environmentally friendly" or environmentally sound".  

Suspect the sponge.  If you prefer to clean with sponges, be sure to purchase only pure cellulose sponges at a hardware store or natural-food store.  Sponges that boast about killing or resisting odors have probably been treated by a synthetic disinfectant which can actually cause bacteria to become resistant to it. Keep your sponges free of germs by boiling them for three to five minutes instead of using harmful disinfectants.

What To Look For In Your Cleaning Products

Are you looking to switch cleaning products? There are a number of reasons people decide to trade in products they have used for years, but it usually comes down to ingredients.  Many people are not aware of the amount of toxic chemicals which are used to create even environmentally-friendly looking products. Using these toxic chemicals to clean your house can affect not only the surfaces you are cleaning, but your family and pets as well.

In order to detoxify your house and remove products that contain substances which are harmful, here are a few items to avoid.

1.  Chlorinated phenols are substances that are often found in toilet bowl cleaners.  These chemicals are toxic to the respiratory system and the circulatory system.  Different types of phenols can be found in disinfectants, and can produce the same negative effects on the respiratory and circulatory systems.  

2.  Diethylene glycol is used in many window cleaning products and it can depress the nervous system, which could decrease your breathing patterns and heart rate.

3.  Nonylphenol ethoxylate is commonly found in laundry detergents or all-purpose cleaners.  This toxin is actually banned in Europe, but can still be found in homes all over the United States.  When it biodegrades, it slowly turns into even more toxic compounds.

4.  Formaldehyde, which is a respiratory irritant and a possible carcinogen can be found in spray and wick deodorizers.

5.  Petroleum solvents found in some floor cleaners can cause damage to mucous membranes, which increases your chances for becoming ill as bacteria can freely come and go through your air passages.

6.  Perchloroethylene is often used as a spot remover, even though it can cause kidney and liver damage!

7.  Butyl cellosolve is another commonly used toxin in all-purpose cleaners and window cleaners, among others.  This chemical actually damages bone marrow, the nervous system, the liver, and the kidney.

Many of these toxins are added to cleaners in order to dissolve dirt more quickly, and no law requires a manufacturer to add an entire list of ingredients to their cleaning product labels.  At Avir, we want to make sure that your home is non-toxic, as well as perfectly clean.  That is why our enzyme products are extensively tested and are never "enhanced" with any toxic or harmful chemicals.  Detoxify your home and make it a safe place for your children, pets, and family by ensuring that the cleaning products you are using are not toxic!