Toxic Ingredients to Look For

• 2-Butoxyethanol – asscoiated with skin, throat, and eye irritant, damage to blood, and kidney toxicity
• DEA (diethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine) – Known as a hormone disruptor, carcinogen, and organ toxicity
• DEHP – known as major endocrine disruptors and linked to reproductive toxicity
• Ethanolamines, Phosphoric Acid, Chloric Acid – can burn the eyes, skin and lungs and is a respiratory irritant
• Ethoxylated Surfactants, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide – can react to form formaldehyde, a known carcinogen
• Formaldehyde – Associated with allergies, irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat, a carcinogen
• Perchloroethylene (PERC) – associated with neurotoxicity
• Quats (Quarternary Ammonium Compounds), Glutaral, and Sodium Hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) – associated with allergies, asthma, birth defects, and fertility issues
• Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide – can burn the eyes, skin and lungs and is a respiratory irritant

 

How Do I Know Which Products Are Good/Bad?

Over time, you’ll become more familiar with ingredients in a product! Here’s a list of some that I always avoid.

POISON LABEL – Any product that has a poison label, or says to call poison control if ingested. I promise it’s very possible to effectively clean your home without these risks!

FRAGRANCE – “Fragrance” is an umbrella term that companies can legally use to hide 1000s of individual ingredients. This industry is self-regulated. The FDA says that companies don’t have to disclose what is used to make their fragrance as it’s a trade secret. Classified as carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, skin and respiratory irritants.

PHTHALATES – A very common plastic-y ingredient. Used to make nail polish flexible, in skin products to penetrate the skin, or to increase the longevity of many other products . Have been shown to cause serious fertility issues such as sperm mobility, or birth defects. Pthalates aren’t always obvious on labels. Some ingredients to look out for:

• DBP (dibutyl phthalate)
• DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate)
• DiNP (diisononyl phthalate)
• DEP (diethyl phthalate)
• BBzP (benzyl butyl phthalate)
• DEHP (di 2-ethylhexl phthalate)
• DiDP (diisodecyl phthalate)
• BPA (bisphenol A)
• BPS (bisphenol S)

TRICLOSAN – A very common anti-bacterial ingredient used in toothpastes, mouthwash, cleaners, deodorants, detergents. The use of triclosan in products may be related to antibiotic-resistant bacteria because it kills the good bacteria that our bodies need. It is linked to skin irritation, liver damage, hormone disruption, and antibiotic resistance

SODIUM LAURYL/LAURETH SULFATE – A common foaming ingredient. Linked to skin & eye irritation, organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption & ecotoxicology.

METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE – Highly toxic to aquatic life. Can cause skin irritation, allergies and contact dermatitis. A possible human carcinogenic.

BUTYL CELLOSOLVE/GLYCOL – An industrial and domestic cleaning product which can be a neurotoxin when absorbed through the skin or breathed in. May cause damage to the reproductive system

CLEANING AGENT – Some cleaners contain a vague ingredient called “cleaning agent”. With no information about the ingredient or it’s safety, I would 100% avoid this.

AMMONIA – A popular disinfecting agent. It is highly toxic if inhaled or swallowed, a known asthma trigger and a human carcinogenic. Linked to respiratory and skin irritation

CHLORINE BLEACH (Sodium Hypochlorite) – One of the most commonly used cleaning/disinfecting agents. Dangerous to the respiratory system, endocrine system, skin, associated with respiratory irritation, destruction of gut bacteria, and thyroid disruption.

 

Non Toxic Cleaning Products:

All-Purpose Cleaner

• Natural All Purpose Cleaner Organic
• All-Purpose Organic Cleaning Spray
• Organic All-Purpose Cleaner
• Force of Nature (great bleach alternative/disinfectant)
• Thieves Concentrate
• The Clean Republic
• Branch Basics Concentrate
• Supernatural Concentrate
• MamaSuds All-Purpose Cleaner
• Pure Haven Surface Cleaner
• Attitude Unscented Surface Cleaner

Finally, we recommend storing the cleaner in amber glass containers, glass spray bottles, glass jugs, whatever is convenient for the solution you plan to use. This is to avoid further BPAs from leaching into your cleaning products! 

Tip: We understand that clean, toxic free living can be expensive! So we recommend using this as an opportunity to buy your product in bulk, to save more money in the long run! And just remember, you can’t put a price on your health! You can’t buy it, either. So protecting it is sacred, and we must do it at all costs!

Multi-Surface Wipes

• Babyganics All Purpose Surface Wipes

Dusting Products

• Dusting Cloth
• Extendable Duster
• Dusting Glove

Floor Cleaner

I recommend you use a spray mop with a diluted amount of all-purpose concentrate.

• Naturally It’s Clean Floor Enzyme Cleaner
• Nature’s Miracle Carpet Shampoo, Deep Cleaning Stain and Odor Remover
• ProMist Microfiber Spray Mop
• E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop
• Dyson Vacuum  

Glass Cleaner

• E-Cloth Glass Towel
• Aunt Fannie’s Glass & Window Cleaning
• ATTITUDE Clean Glass Cleaner
• Natural Glass Cleaner
• Make Your Own
  • Glass Spray Bottle
  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups warm water (distilled or filtered is best so it doesn’t leave residue)
  • Optional: 10 drops essential oil of choice – I use lemon

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• Nature Clean Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Strips
• Organic Antibacterial Toilet Cleaning Tabs

Stainless Steel Cleaner

• E-Cloth Stainless Towel
• EcoMe Stainless Steel Cleaner

Dishes

Dish Brushes

• [easyazon_link keywords=”Long-Handled Heavy Duty Dish Brush” locale=”US” tag=”nicolerokita-20″]Long-Handled Heavy Duty Dish Brush[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link keywords=”Long-Handled Dish Brush” locale=”US” tag=”nicolerokita-20″]Long-Handled Dish Brush[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link keywords=”Natural Scrub Brush” locale=”US” tag=”nicolerokita-20″]Natural Scrub Brush[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link keywords=”Bamboo Scrub Brush and Dispenser” locale=”US” tag=”nicolerokita-20″]Bamboo Scrub Brush and Dispenser[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link keywords=”Bamboo Dish Brush Set” locale=”US” tag=”nicolerokita-20″]Bamboo Dish Brush Set[/easyazon_link]

Dishwashing Soap

• ECOS Dish Soap
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B00PRV25YG” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”nicolerokita-20″ cart=”n” popups=”y”]Better Life Dish Soap[/easyazon_link]
• Puracy Dish Soap
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B07SK8Q1RR” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”nicolerokita-20″ cart=”n” popups=”y”]Molly’s Suds Natural Liquid Dish Soap[/easyazon_link]
• Attitude Dish Soap
• Organic Dish Soap

Dishwasher Detergent

• MamaSuds Automatic Dishwasher Pods
• Ecos Wave Dishwasher Gel
• Blueland Dishwasher Tablets
• Earth Friendly Products Wave Auto Dishwasher Gel, Free & Clear
• Better Life Dishwasher Gel
• Organic Dishwasher Detergent

AIR FRESHENERS & SPRAYS

Scented candles, aerosols, plug-ins, gels, and incense sticks are full of toxic chemicals. I wanted to share this post from Wellness Mama where you can read more.

• Organic Fabric & Room Deodorizer Spray
• Lemongrass + Zest Organic Disinfectant Spray
• Diffusers with 100% Pure Essential Oils
  • Lemon
  • Thyme
  • Eucalyptus Lemon
  • Basil Infused Anxiety Roller Ball & Organic Essential Oils for Tranquility
  • Allergy Relief Essential Oil Roll On
  • Organic Essential Oils Perfume Blend
• Make Your Own Room Spray
  • 1 oz of Vodka
  • Splash of Mexican Clear Vanilla
  • Essential oils of choice
  • 7 oz of Water

LAUNDRY ESSENTIALS

• Attitude Baby Laundry Detergent
• Better Life Laundry Detergent
• Clean Cult Laundry Detergent 
• EcoMe Laundry Detergent (Fragrance-Free, Vanilla Bean, Lavender Blossom, Citrus Berry)
• ECOS Laundry Detergent
• Molly Suds Unscented Laundry Powder (Peppermint, All Sport Activewear)
• Truly Free Laundry
• Meliora Laundry Powder
• The Good Home Laundry Detergent

LAUNDRY MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Natural Oxygen Whitener and Stain Remover– Bleach alternative
• White Vinegar– Fabric softener replacement and no your clothes won’t smell like vinegar!
• Wool Dryer Balls – Dryer sheets are one of the most toxic things within the home, so try dryer balls scented with 100% pure essential oils.
• Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Remover
• Puracy Free & Clear Stain Remover

HAND SOAP

• Sally B’s Skin Yummies Foaming Hand Soap
• Made Of Foaming Hand Soap
• Puracy Foaming Hand Soap
• Kosmatology Hand Soap
• Attitude Hand Soap
• Cleancult Liquid Hand Soap
• Dr. Bronners Rose Castile Soap
• Make Your Own
  • Foaming Soap Dispenser (1, 2, 3)
  • Fill up your dispenser with 3/4 of water (use distilled water or filtered water). It’s best to add the water first to avoid creating too much foam.
  • 4 Tbsp of Castile Soap
  • 1/2 tsp of Vitamin E Oil
  • 10-20 drops of Essential oil (optional)

 

It is important to be aware of the risks posed by potentially toxic ingredients in certain cleaning products and familiarize ourselves with the best non toxic alternatives. Natural products such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon are often the safest and most effective solutions when cleaning around the home. We should all make an effort to read product labels and investigate alternative options to ensure we are not exposing ourselves and our families to unnecessary and potentially dangerous chemicals.

As Dr. Michael Eisenberg from Stanford Medicine said,
“The most important thing to remember is that many cleaning products are not necessary, and there are effective and safe alternatives.”
So, put your health and the health of your family first. Make the switch to non toxic cleaning products today.