(Newswire.net — August 1, 2017) — Studies have proved that an average American household has 3 to 11 gallons of toxic agents in form of cleansers and disinfectants that are used for cleaning. And these are the very sources of toxins that not only cause air pollution but a number of adverse effects on health.
In fact, the cleaning agents that are oftentimes tagged as “green” cleaning agents contain harmful substances that are more of a “gimmick” for marketing than serving the actual purpose. In this write-up, let us find out how you can avoid using these harmful chemicals and adopt better measures for cleaning your nest!
Chemicals to Avoid
Given below are the names of chemicals (in the guise of cleaning agents) that ought to be kept out of your home and definitely out of reach of children and pets. Check them out-
- Phosphates
Even the manufacturers have made it a point to reduce the quantity of “eliminated phosphates” from products that are used for laundry. This chemical causes harmful effects on the environment.
- Glycol Ethers
This particular chemical is used in cosmetics, soaps, perfume, paints, and certain food items. The adverse effects caused by it include kidney and liver disorders, nausea, and lethargy.
- Perfumes
It is oftentimes present as gaseous form and leads to asthma, sinusitis, and headaches.
- Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
This particular chemical is found in detergents and multipurpose cleaners. Owing to its hazardous nature, it has already been banned in Europe. It distorts the function of the endocrine system.
Aside from the above, there are few more that have harmful effects on mind and body and include the following-
- Phthalates
- VOC or Volatile Organic Compound
- Petroleum solvents
- Chlorine
- Butyl Cellosolve
- Formaldehyde
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Ethanolamines, and so on.
Alternatives to Harmful Chemicals – DIY
Instead of using the above chemicals, you can incorporate the following to minimize the risk of harmful effects due to strong chemicals that might be hazardous. The non-toxic agents that are mentioned here can be used either singly or in combination with other substances.
It is not just the experts that recommend alternatives to these strong and harmful chemicals, in fact, the ones that manufacture medicines, laboratory products and chemicals, and research chemicals also state that they should be handled with utmost care if at all needed.
- Unclogging drains – Use half or one full spoon of baking soda along with vinegar to unclog a drain. First of all pour ½ or 1 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar of the same quantity and allow the mixture to settle for 15 minutes. Follow it up with flushing the drain with boiling water.
- Toilet cleaner – Pour ½ cup of baking soda mixed with around 12 drops of tea tree oil into the bowl of the toilet. Follow it up with vinegar (1/4 cup). Cleaning with toilet brush will make it cleaner.
- Kitchen cleaner (countertop) – Vinegar and water can be mixed in equal parts, sprayed on to the top of the counter and wiped clean. If the top of the counter is made of stone, alcohol can be used mixed with water.
- Softener for fabric – Take a gallon of white vinegar and mix into it 25 to 30 drops of essential oil. Add the mixture to laundry every time you use it.
The substances mentioned above are just of them. There are many other combinations and individual elements that effectively serve the purpose of cleaning and disinfecting. Some of them are as follows-
- Dried herbs
- Essential oil
- Warm water
- Lemon (juice)
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Liquid castile soap