Having a clean house is an important component of your overall health and wellness, not to mention helping you to make a good impression to any guests who come by for a visit. In the past few decades, harsh chemical based cleaning supplies have become the norm. Many people feel that a cleaning product needs to be toxic in order to do the job. However, there are many natural cleaning products on the market that provide the same — or even better — cleaning power. Additionally, natural cleaning products have many health benefits that make them the go-to choice for cleaning supplies, especially if you have children, seniors, or people with compromised immune systems as a part of your household.
The Problem of Toxic Chemicals in Cleaning Supplies
The chemicals in conventional cleaning supplies are often toxic to humans, especially when breathed. Some of these chemicals react with other elements in the atmosphere creating other toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde and ozone. According to the Environmental Working Group, studies have also shown that these compounds can create ozone indoors, and long-term exposure to this chemical can lead to permanent lung damage. The toxins in cleaning supplies have been linked to several illnesses, including cancer, allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, and behavioral problems. They can also provide mild problems, such as rashes and contact dermatitis.
Many people only consider the health problems of cleaning supplies from breathing them in while cleaning, assuming that the limited amount of time that they use the chemicals provide a negligible effect. However, that is not the case. First and foremost, even using a household cleaning spray once a week can increase the risk of health problems, especially asthma. A Study from 2007 from researchers in Europe found that even using cleaning sprays and air fresheners once a week can increase the risk of asthma in adults. Although this study did not show that the cleaners caused asthma, it does show that even occasional use can cause problems.
A Healthier Home with Better Air Quality
Many of the toxic chemicals linger long after the actual cleaning period. According to the EPA, there are more chemical pollutants indoors than outdoors. There can be as many as two to five times the common chemical pollutants inside your home rather than outdoors. With the amount of time you spend inside, you should consider doing what you can to improve the air quality in your home.
Although you can install air purifiers, one easy way to have a pollutant-free home is to not introduce chemicals into it through your cleaning products. Although the smell of the product may decrease after a short period of time, the chemicals themselves linger and cause health problems.
Other Benefits of Using Natural Cleaning Products
You, your children, and your pets touch the areas that you clean. This increases the risk of contamination by the chemicals found in your cleaning supplies. The chemicals can get into your food, on your hands, on your children’s toys, and other areas. This can bring the chemicals into your body, leading to a buildup of chemicals that can cause all kinds of health problems. Many of these chemicals have a carcinogenic affect, meaning they can lead to cancer. Natural cleaning products will not have the same risk of contamination.
The benefits of natural cleaning ingredients go beyond just your health. They are also better for the environment. They are biodegradable and will not release toxins into the water system, soil, or atmosphere. The toxins from traditional cleaning supplies can taint the environment, leading to harsh and toxic chemicals getting into the water cycle, food supply, and outdoor air, causing more problems.
How to Find — or Make your Own — Natural Cleaning Products
There are many companies that focus on making natural cleaning products, such as Honest Company cleaning supplies. When you look for natural cleaning products on the market, pay close attention to the ingredients. You want to find products with natural ingredients, rather than chemicals, which often means to minimize products with a lot of words that you do not understand in the ingredient list. If you really want to ensure you have natural cleaning products, you can make your own. Lemon, vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, and other simple and inexpensive ingredients can clean your bathroom, kitchen, and other areas of your house just as well, and sometimes even better, than the harsh chemicals found in conventional cleaning supplies.
Natural cleaning supplies do not have to be expensive; they can be a cost-effective solution. If you choose to make your own, you will often spend a lot less on the supplies. However, many of the products offered by companies are not that much more expensive than traditional products. When you add in the potential toxic effects, it is well worth spending a little extra for natural products. You can keep your home clean and healthy, while keeping your family safe from the unhealthy toxins found in conventional cleaning products.