Is Your Cleaning Routine Making Your Home More Toxic?

It’s finally spring. Winter’s cold is giving way to rain and new growth, the days are getting longer, and your energy is back. Time to open the doors and windows, bring the fresh air inside, and give your whole home a thorough cleaning. You gather the supplies: broom, mop, dust cloths, furniture polish, disinfectants, window cleaner, fragrances, bleach, oven cleaner, and everything else it takes to make your home smell, feel, and be springtime fresh.

While writing this article, I asked my AI assistant to list some of the most common and most dangerous chemicals in household cleaning products. The answer: “Ammonia, chlorine bleach, and sodium hydroxide. It is important to read labels and use these products in a well-ventilated area while wearing protective gloves and clothing. Consider using natural cleaning alternatives whenever possible.” Even artificial intelligence considers natural alternatives a no-brainer, and it’s easy to see why.

As you scrub, scour, wipe, and spray, are you cleaning with products that may be harmful to your family and pets? Once you know what to look for, you can replace the most common dangerous household chemicals with cleaners made from ingredients that are safe for your family, your home, and the planet.

Toxins Hide in Products Made to Care for Our Homes

Maybe it’s because we hear about them so often that it’s hard to appreciate how common and critical these toxins are. Unless we take a closer look at our homes and our habits, we’re likely to miss most of the dangers we meet every day.

Toxic ingredients remain widespread despite the determined efforts of Chaé Organics founder Linda Chaé — who has lobbied the U.S. Congress for Right to Know legislation and met with the FDA — and many others who have worked to ban toxic chemicals that harm Americans. Still, every day more consumers learn about the dangerous substances in some mainstream products, and about the growing availability of safe, healthy alternatives.

The 2021 Annual Report of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from America’s Poison Centers recorded 2,080,917 human exposures, 7.5% of which involved household cleaning substances. In 2021 alone, 189,182 people — almost half of them babies, toddlers, and preschoolers — were acutely poisoned because of toxic ingredients that never needed to be in products designed for your home.

The greatest concern may not be any one of these products, but the combination. It’s well known that you should never mix household cleaners because of potentially deadly chemical reactions, yet even the most careful person can have an accident when harsh chemicals are in use. We recently spoke with our friend Deborah about her life-threatening experience with household cleaners and the switch to safe alternatives she had to make.

Each of us is exposed to a wide variety of chemicals in a normal day. It’s nearly impossible to measure their impact on our own health, but the implications are serious. The easiest way to avoid a tragedy at home is to find and remove the most hazardous products.

The 10 Worst and Most Common Offenders

1. Ammonia

Ammonia is in many common household cleaners, including glass, floor, and bathroom cleaners. Inhaled in large amounts, it can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin and cause coughing and difficulty breathing. In extreme cases, it can cause chemical burns and lung damage. Always read the label, follow the instructions, and handle ammonia only in well-ventilated areas.

2. Chlorine

Chlorine is found in bleach, laundry detergents, mildew removers, and some toilet bowl cleaners, where it’s often used as a disinfectant and antibacterial agent. The effects of chlorine poisoning depend on how long a person was exposed and how much. Even limited exposure may cause blurred vision; burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin; a burning sensation in the nose, throat, and eyes; coughing; and chest tightness.

3. Fragrance

Perfume and “fragrance” in household products are linked to breathing difficulties and allergies. About 2,600 chemicals are commonly used in synthetic fragrances. Ninety-five percent of them are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, and twenty-six are on the EU banned list. Because fragrances are mostly synthetic, the single word on a label can stand for up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many of them toxic or carcinogenic.

Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observations suggest fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.

Dr. Anne Steinemann, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Melbourne in Australia, found in her studies that “over one-third of Americans report adverse health effects from fragranced consumer products” — anything from air fresheners, cleaning products, and deodorizers to hand sanitizers and scented candles.

Unnaturally scented products are often the biggest culprits. Instead of products labeled “unscented,” which may simply mask chemical smells, experts recommend products labeled “fragrance-free,” or natural cleaners that list the essential oils in the formula.

4. Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is in drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and some bathroom cleaners. It has a high pH of 11 and will burn the skin and lungs. Cleaners with a very high or very low pH are called caustic. They may seem handy for tough stains if you’d rather skip the old-fashioned elbow grease, but according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they “can lead to caustic burns to the skin, eyes, or internally if swallowed.”

These cleaners are so harsh they don’t even have to be swallowed to cause harm: simply cleaning with them can irritate your skin and lungs. Read the labels and handle these products with caution. Always keep products with this ingredient out of children’s reach, and don’t use a stronger cleaner than the job needs.

5. Benzyl Acetate

Benzyl acetate is mainly used as a fragrance, in fabric cleaners, dryer sheets, air fresheners, dishwashing detergents, and fabric softeners. Its vapors can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, and inhaling it may cause nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and drowsiness. Be aware: benzyl acetate often isn’t listed on the label. If a product smells of fragrance, it is very likely present.

6. Phthalates

Phthalates turn up in almost anything with a fragrance: air fresheners, dish soaps, tissues, and laundry detergents. They can hinder growth and development and can be especially harmful to males during their reproductive years, possibly affecting fertility. Animal studies have also shown that phthalates may contribute to breast and liver cancers.

Be aware: phthalates aren’t listed on the label, because they’re part of the fragrance and other chemicals. Find more information in the ToxicFree® Foundation Ingredient Database entry on phthalates.

7. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

Quats are chemicals used to kill bacteria, viruses, and mold, often in disinfectants. You’ll find them in oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, cleaning wipes, and drain-clog compounds. While quats are effective against viruses and bacteria, they are lung irritants that may contribute to breathing problems, including asthma. They can also cause skin burns and eye damage.

8. Triclosan

One of the “trendier” entries on this list, triclosan shows up in some hand soaps, dishwashing detergents, and other cleaning products labeled “antibacterial.” Some countries have restricted its use in these products because of potential health and environmental risks, including reduced growth, reproduction, and survival in animals, along with evidence of effects on the endocrine system. The FDA has begun restricting it in the United States, too. Yet every time we check, there are new names for this ingredient that help it get around those restrictions.

9. Formaldehyde

Well known for its potent preservative power, formaldehyde can be found in some disinfectants, laundry detergents, and air fresheners. It can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat even at low levels for short periods, and severe exposure can cause chemical burns and death. Check the ingredient list before you use a product.

Be aware: formaldehyde itself won’t be listed on the label. Instead, look for two commonly used preservatives that release it: DMDM Hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl Urea. These are just two of many formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure may also irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravate coughs and colds.

10. Ethoxylates

On labels, look for the prefix “PEG,” “polyethylene,” “polyethylene glycol,” “polyoxyethylene,” “-eth-,” or “-oxynol-.” Ethoxylates are a major class of non-ionic surfactants, widely used in laundry detergents, household and all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing agents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, institutional and industrial cleaners, cosmetics, agriculture, and the textile, paper, oil, and other process industries.

Their manufacturing process generates the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen, as well as PEGs. For more on the chemicals in household and other products, see the ToxicFree® Foundation’s guide to household cleaning products.

Luckily, Not All Products Are Created Equal

There are wholesome alternatives to these toxins that remove grease, hard water, and tough stains throughout your home and leave a fresh, clean, phthalate-free scent. At Chaé Organics, we specialize in organic, cruelty-free products designed to nourish and defend every part of your home and family, and we keep pushing the envelope in scientifically driven, naturally derived home and body care.

As a leader in innovative ToxicFree® products, Chaé Organics offers these household cleaning alternatives to make your spring cleaning safe and free of dangerous chemicals. Our Household Essentials line takes the dozen or so warning-label-laden products you’ve been using and consolidates them into a few simple, healthy products that work in every part of your home.

Cleanz Everything

Cleanz Everything replaces more than 13 home cleaning products. You don’t need protective gloves to use it, full strength or diluted. This powerful, wonderfully scented concentrate makes up to 32 16-ounce bottles of gentle household cleaner, replacing many single-purpose cleansers and saving space and money.

It’s made with ToxicFree® ingredients that are safe for your home and family and gentle on your skin, without the dryness or irritation. For jobs big and small, it lifts dirt and grime from all over your home and leaves surfaces streak-free and squeaky-clean. And because it contains only safe, effective ingredients, you don’t have to worry about using it where food, children, or pets are.

• Everyday cleaning: Dilute a few drops in water for a custom-strength grime fighter that works on windows, mirrors, jewelry, shoes, toys, tile, countertops, floors, walls, woodwork, the refrigerator, bathrooms, stovetops, greasy surfaces, stainless steel, lawn chairs, and garden tools — even for washing the car.
• Extra shine: Add a little vinegar or SuperPowerz to boost cleaning power and get an even shinier finish on stainless steel, glass, barbecue grills, and countertops.
• Scrubbing paste: Combine with baking soda for a gentle paste with enough grit to loosen years of dirt in tile grout and where oil has baked on. No gloves required.
• Tough spots: Let a small amount sit at full strength on stubborn grease, old stains, and hard water to break up tough particles.

Foamz

Foamz is a mighty little foaming cleanser featuring our remarkable O2XY™ stabilized cleansing oxygen. It cleans items and surfaces, yet it’s gentle enough on skin to use as a waterless hand cleanser. Made with natural ingredients, it’s a fun, safe way to keep your home clean without toxic chemicals or residue, and to keep you and your things spotless away from home.

It’s fantastic for hiking, camping, and on-the-go activities of all kinds, and gentle enough for even your most delicate loved ones, so it’s perfect for families with children. Dirt and residue disappear, anytime and anywhere.

Dishz, Potz & Panz

Dishz, Potz & Panz is tough on grease and mild on hands. Derived from 100% renewable vegetable sources, this eco-friendly, biodegradable concentrate has a naturally fresh, bright lemon-lime scent and cleans effectively without harming the environment. Its hero ingredient, Decyl Glucoside, boosts sudsing power while offering balancing properties, so it doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisture. Handwashing dishes has never been so easy on you or your hands.

Sanitiz On-The-Go

Sanitiz On-The-Go is our favorite hand sanitizer in a convenient travel size. Its O2XY™ double-bond oxygen formula helps neutralize odors and deter microbe activity while staying safe for you and your family. It’s safe for most fabrics and non-irritating even to sensitive eyes, so it’s incredibly gentle on skin. This technology has been used for decades in water purification. Our naturally derived formula is highly biodegradable, so it’s better for the planet than most hand sanitizers on the market. You’ll save more with the full-size Sanitiz.

Safe Alternatives Are Waiting for Your Home

There’s no need for these toxic chemicals in our homes today when better, safer alternatives exist. Many big companies choose to ignore these options or offer them only at a premium. Why buy from companies that sell products they know can hurt you?

Let Chaé Organics take the guesswork out of ToxicFree® living with fewer products, fewer ingredients, and better options. We offer only the most trustworthy technologies, direct to you, and stay on the cutting edge so you don’t have to. Get your spring cleaning done, then rest easy knowing your home is the cleanest it has ever been. Happy spring!

Product Spotlight

The swaps from this article: one concentrate for nearly every surface, an oxygen-powered foaming cleanser, a dish soap that’s mild on hands, and a gentle sanitizer for the whole family.

Cleanz Everything Citrus Burst - All-Purpose Cleaner

One concentrate that replaces a cabinet full of cleaners—without the harsh fumes or glove-only formulas.

$19.95 Original price was: $19.95.$11.95Current price is: $11.95. · save 15% with Subscribe & Save

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Foamz - Oxygen Powered Cleanser

Deep-clean foam power—no water needed, no harsh residue left behind.

$9.95 Original price was: $9.95.$5.95Current price is: $5.95. · save 15% with Subscribe & Save

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Dishz, Potz, & Panz Dish Soap – Tough on Grease, Mild on Hands

Tough on grease, mild on hands—a biodegradable dish soap where a little goes a long way.

$7.75 – $11.95Price range: $7.75 through $11.95 · save 15% with Subscribe & Save

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Sanitiz - Sanitizer For Life

A gentle cleansing mist for hands, surfaces, fabric and air—without harsh chemicals or synthetic perfumes.

$15.95 Original price was: $15.95.$9.55Current price is: $9.55. · save 15% with Subscribe & Save

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Kitchen Sink Duo

Dish soap and hand wash for the kitchen sink: tough on grease, kind to busy hands.

$32.90 Original price was: $32.90.$19.74Current price is: $19.74.

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