Ever wondered why cleaning products don't have a list of ingredients?
Usually, you hide something for a reason. So, what's hidden in cleaning products?
The answer is chemicals. Lots and lots of chemicals.
Not only do these chemicals usually end up in waterways and pose a threat to the natural environment, both marine and terrestrial.
Increasing studies are showing that some cleaning products can lead to poorer respiratory health, asthma, or even COPD, a disease that leads to long-term breathing problems. The cancer-causing formaldehyde is found in common household cleaning products. But that's not all. Some chemicals such as borax or boric acid can also cause reproductive issues.
Shockingly, the effects on health of many other chemicals found in everyday cleaning products have not been researched and there seems to be no urgency for this.
Here's what you can do to protect yourself and the environment from harmful chemicals in cleaning products.
Greenwashing
For consumers who would like to steer clear of toxic chemicals a major issue is greenwashing. Investopedia defines greenwashing as: "The process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company's products are more environmentally sound." So remember just because the name seems environmentally friendly this is no indicator for the product.
Genuinely Green Cleaning Products
Here are some brands and products that are more environmentally friendly:
Orange Power has everything from multi-purpose cleaners to air-fresheners (plus, the products are palm oil free)
Grove Collaborative offsets its carbon emissions
Method Home lists all ingredients
JR Watkins also lists all ingredients
Mrs. Meyers is known for its kitchen-related cleaning products
Ecover is gentle on the environment and your skin
Simple DIY Cleaners
All-purpose cleaner:
This video shows how to make your own cleaner in two ways. One with liquid castile soap and one with vinegar. The list of essential oils goes on an on but here are some basic ones that you can use in your cleaner: lavender oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, rose oil, vetiver oil or eucalyptus.
Laundry Detergent
It is so important to use the least amount of chemicals possible in laundry. Harmful chemicals in laundry powder are transferred into our clothes and they can leach into our skin while we're wearing them. You can make your own laundry powder with just three ingredients that you simply combine and store for use:
2 cups baking soda
2 cups washing soda
1 cup grated Castile soap
Fabric softener
Fabric softeners often contain Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, which can lead to respiratory issues and skin irritation. Replace your usual fabric softener with white vinegar. Vinegar contains acetic acid which softens, brightens and kills odor in laundry. Click here to find out the Top 10 Reasons To Use Vinegar In Laundry.
Soap nuts can do it all:
Soap nuts grow on trees of the lychee family and contain saponin, a natural surfactant, which is released when in contact with water. They are a very environmentally friendly and versatile foaming detergent with anti-microbial properties. The following video describes different ways soap nuts can be of use to you from laundry washing to sanitising your hands.