By Lynn Green

I have been meaning for some time now to blog about household cleaners. As you know, there is a section in this blog that deals specifically with health issues and I don’t update that section often enough.

One thing that all of us have in common is that we must clean our homes (unless we can afford to pay someone else to do so on our behalf). But whether you are cleaning your own home or paying a service, one thing is certain. It does matter what type of cleaning agents you are allowing in your home.

Personally, I switched over to all environmentally safe products a couple of years ago. Anything I can do for the environment will ultimately contribute to my own personal safety as well as the safety of anyone I allow in my home.

I am going to share with you a few excerpts from an article I read recently on the dangers of using traditional cleaning products:

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) has recorded many exposures to household cleaning substances that were serious enough to require treatment in a health care facility. Incredibly, according to the AAPCC the largest number of occurrences of poisoning in 1993 were due to cleaning products – drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, soaps and detergents.

AMMONIA: is a very volatile chemical and is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: may contain triclosan, which is absorbed through the skin and can be tied to liver damage.

BLEACH: is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. Never mix bleach with acid toilet bowl cleaners or ammonia. These mixtures may produce fumes which can be DEADLY.

CHLORINE: The first agent of chemical warfare was chlorine. WWII ended with an abundance of this cheap chemical. In the name of huge profits, it was added to our water supply and many other products. Chlorine is the number one cause of breast cancer and can be lethal. Scientists won’t handle chlorine without protective gloves, facemasks, and ventilation, yet it is in most store-brand cleaners, including dishwasher detergents. The harmful effects are intensified when the fumes are heated, as in the shower. It ís in our drinking water, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, and more.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: Laundry detergents contain phosphorus, enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, sodium nitilotriacetate and countless other chemicals. These substances can cause rashes, itches, allergies, sinus problems and more. The residue left on your clothes, bed sheets, etc. is absorbed through your skin, as is everything else you touch.

OVEN CLEANER: one of the most toxic products people use. They contain lye and ammonia, which eat the skin, and the fumes linger and affect the respiratory system. Then there ís the residue that ís intensified the next time you turn your oven on. Use sea salt and baking soda instead.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS: usually contain hydrochloric acid, a highly corrosive irritant to both skin and eyes that damages kidneys and liver; and hypochlorite bleach, a corrosive irritant that can burn eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Toilet bowl cleaners also may cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal.

There are many more cautions in that article. GO HERE to read it in its entirety. 

What I will do now is share with you what I personally use to replace the dangerous chemicals above.

What I Use

My absolute favorite, ALL NATURAL product that I use is Odoban. You can find it at your local Home Depot.  Much of what they offer is concentrated, which means it lasts a looooong time.  So you get more bang for your buck.

This stuff is incredible and I don’t even miss the old chemicals such as “Comet” and “Ajax” any more.  I have tested many natural products but Odoban has perhaps the best natural products on the market and I’ll tell you which ones I use. Their Grease Control is the best degreaser I have ever used. Again, it’s all natural. You can use it on stoves, walls, baseboards and so on. This stuff is incredible.

In showers, they have a product called Shower Control. For general cleaning around the house, I use their multipurpose cleaner. You can use it in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, any place that needs cleaning.

Then they have a product for odor elimination. So if, for example, you have a cat and his litter is causing an odor, use this stuff and it works—plus it’s a germ killer.

Most folks are afraid to let go of their bleach. However, bleach is dangerous. OdoBan has a Germ Control product that is a great, safe bleach substitute.

On wood floors, I use a vinegar/water solution. You also can use vinegar/water to clean your windows and stainless steel.

I’ll end by saying this. Break the habit of using the dangerous chemicals that most of us grew up on. Yes, that stuff does get your home clean—but at a cost to your home and health. So…GO GREEN! Your lungs will love you for it.