A Homeowner's Guide to Avoiding Harmful Household Cleaning Products

By Laura Phillips


If you are concerned about the negative effects that chemicals can have on your health you may be surprised to find out that the air inside your home can be just as polluted, if not more so, than the environment that surrounds you when you step out the door. One of the ongoing reasons for the presence of toxins in your home is harmful household cleaning products. Here are some tips to minimize their use and information that will help you separate safe products from those that can have an adverse effect on your health.

There are a few ways that harmful chemicals can hurt us while we are cleaning. Some can be absorbed through the skin and enter our systems that way. Others emit fumes which we can breathe in. Some may harm our lungs and make us cough because of the fumes they put off while others may not cause coughing but may still be harmful to breathe in.

Individuals who find that they react badly from touching cleansers may want to think about wearing rubber gloves or other protective items while cleaning. This may be especially important if you have any breaks in your skin as it may allow chemicals to penetrate more easily. You should also make sure that you wash well after using any cleaning products to make sure that your skin is clear of any toxins.

Another way to help stay safe when using heavily-scented products, or those that emit toxic fumes, is to increase the air circulation in the room where you are cleaning. Opening windows, using bathroom fans or making sure that there is as much airflow as possible can help make sure there is enough fresh air for you to breathe while you are working.

Some cleaning products may create toxic fumes if they are mixed together. Some individuals have gotten sick when they mixed toilet cleaner that contained sodium bisulphate with bleach or bleach-based cleaners. This can create chlorine gas which can be deadly if it is inhaled. It is important for you to know what you are cleaning with and to label your products clearly to prevent things like this from happening.

In the past, the number of natural products was fairly limited and it was often necessary to buy them online or from special dealers. The products were often much more expensive and were not always effective. Now, however, this has changed. A number of well-known manufacturers have introduced natural options that do not rely on chemicals to give them their cleaning abilities.

Many individuals are using products that they make themselves in order to clean their homes naturally. In the past, vinegar, baking soda and other natural ingredients were used to clean and sanitize homes without harmful chemicals. If you are interested in going this route, there are many websites that feature recipes you can make yourself.

While it can be difficult to eliminate everything toxic from your home, using natural cleaning products is a great start. It may take longer or use a bit more elbow grease but the knowledge that you are protecting your health will make it all worthwhile.




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