How Toxic Are Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

It’s time to get rid of all that is toxic in your life: toxic habits, toxic people, and most importantly toxic cleaning products. It can be hard to know what ingredients in household cleaning supplies are supposed to look like. What ingredients work? What ingredients can cause harm? What ingredients hurt the environment? 

We’ve got a big ole PSA: Cleaning products don’t have to contain harsh chemicals to do their job. 

Yes, you can stay clean without sacrificing your family’s safety and health. It’s all in the ingredients! So, how bad are cleaning products really?

Common Cleaning Chemicals

Many of the cleaning product brands you’ve been keeping under your sink for years have dirty little secrets when it comes to the ingredient list. Although these cleaning products aim to keep you safe from bacteria, many contain harsh chemicals you probably want to keep away from family members (and furry family members too). Your so-called handy cleaning products might as well be poison under your sink.

We’ve rounded up some common cleaning chemicals that will make you want to clear out your entire cleaning cabinet. We encourage you (yes you!) to actually check out your ingredient lists for any of the harsh chemicals we have listed. You’ll thank us later!

Perchloroethylene (PERC)

Your Enemy: Most dry-cleaning solutions, spot removers, and carpet and upholstery cleaners.

PERC (or Perchloroethylene) is, unfortunately, a common harsh chemical used by dry cleaners and carpet cleaners. This chemical can be harmful through inhalation as it is considered a household neurotoxin and carcinogen. A high level of exposure can cause dizziness, loss of coordination, and other symptoms. 

Your Hero: A quick fix can be researching what products your local dry cleaner uses or opt for handwashing with our uber gentle Everyday Laundry Detergent. 

Ammonia

Your Enemy: Most streak-free glass cleaners

Ammonia is usually used for that streak-free shine effect that most of us are after when it comes to kitchen windows or mirror selfies. The con? Ammonia is a corrosive chemical that can damage cells in the body. Translation: ammonia is a super harsh chemical that may be irritating your body.

While a low exposure can cause throat irritation and coughing. High exposure to ammonia can lead to immediate burning of your eyes, nose, and throat and can lead to even worse damage. 

Your Hero: Safely Glass Cleaner 

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your health just for some clean windows. Our Glass Cleaner uses a powerful combination of coconut oil, mineral salt, and corn-derived alcohol that work together to quickly clean and penetrate oil and residue.

Oh, and we almost forgot! Coconut oil cleans as it reduces static while producing a streak-free surface. You can leave your ammonia at the door. 

Bleach

Your Enemy: Many toilet, bathroom, and heavy-duty cleaners

Bleach is among one of the most popular chemicals manufactured in the United States. The dangers of bleach stem from it being a chlorine-based corrosive substance. When you use chlorine-based bleach you are exposed not only to fumes but also through your skin (making gloves mandatory). 

Your Hero: Safely’s Universal Cleaner

Safely’s Universal Cleaner uses a combination of salt and coconut-derived ingredients to cut through grease while citric acid, lemongrass leaf oil, and corn-derived alcohol remove harmful bacteria from every surface in your home. For more heavy-duty jobs that require special attention, spray the Universal Cleaner and let it soak for 10 minutes to banish tough build-up.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (AKA QUARTS)

Your Enemy: Fabric Softeners “Antibacterial” Cleaning Products 

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (AKA QUARTS) are commonly used in disinfectants as it kills bacteria and viruses. While they may be harsh on bacteria and viruses, they are also harsh on your skin too. 

Your Hero: Safely’s Universal Cleaner and Everyday Laundry Detergent

We’ve said it before and we will stay it again: when it comes to cleaning you don’t need harsh chemicals to get the job done. When it comes to your cleaning needs (we know life gets messy), use our plant-powered Universal Cleaner to clean stainless steel, marble, hardwood, and really anything you’ve been getting dirty. You can cook, eat and do whatever you do without the worry of harsh chemicals. 

If you try Everyday Laundry Detergent you’ll find your trusty fabric softener is a thing of the past. Our pH-balanced formula is gentle on skin and made with Coconut-oil-derived surfactants, plant-based surfactants, and natural enzymes fight stains and wash away the grime of your day.

Detox Your Home

Detoxing your home may be just as important as your regular mind and body cleansing routine (think hot yoga and green juice). But, what does it take to make a safe cleaning product? Just because something is labeled as “natural” doesn’t make it non-toxic. Make sure to do your homework when it comes to how safe a cleaning product is.

Hint: It’s all in the ingredients. Cleaning products should skip the harsh chemicals, but should also get the job done and fight off all the nasty stuff. Luckily Safely does all of the above. With a mission to rid your home of all harsh chemicals, Safely’s are plant-powered to help you through it all: cleaning, laundry day, cooking, picking the kids up from school... (okay we got a little carried away).