In a previous article, I had listed out some of the harmful effects of using chemical cleaners in our homes. I had also specified an alternate called organic cleaning in order to overcome the disadvantages of chemical cleaning methods. In this one, I shall give a few more technical and rather terrifying points on why chemicals should be avoided and list out the benefits of Green Cleaning.
Why are chemical cleaners and chemical household products such as room freshners harmful?
Studies have found that almost thirty three percent of the chemicals that are used by the fragrance industry are toxic. But since the formulae for making the fragrances are recognized as classified information, the information about the toxicity cannot be ascertained for sure. There are also some chemicals such as diethanol amine and other such amines present in the cleaners which, when reacted with nitrites, form carcinogen. The effects of this kind of chemical is not easily visible to at first glance. The effects are long term and can even cause cancer. Some chemicals act as hormone disruptors in the body. They either mimic or block the actions of some hormones. This has the potential to cause severe disorders to male body parts. These include decreased sperm counts, hypospadias (where the urethra is on the underside of the testicles), cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), etc. and can also cause the acceleration of other kinds of cancers. Some tests have also shown that women are twice as likely to get breast cancer if they are exposed to the cleaners for a prolonged period of time. By just highlighting a few effects of cleaners, I think I have sufficiently demonstrated how harmful they are. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Are you going to let your family go through all this?
Like I pointed out before, there is a healthier alternative to a cleaner and healthier home. Green Cleaning. This term refers to using cleaning products that are environment friendly and preserve the quality of human health. Presented to us as organic cleaners, they usually have very common ingredients that contain no chemically reactive toxic substances that could harm your family or our environment. The benefits of using organic cleaners are many.
Say “hello” to a healthier home. When you’re using cleaners made out of common ingredients like lime, vinegar and club soda, the risk on inhaling toxic chemicals or getting them on your skin is almost negligible. No potentially harmful chemicals are released into the environment, assuring that the air your family is breathing in is safe and pure.
Personal safety- When you’re cleaning your home, aren’t you concerned you might get some of the liquid into your eyes or accidentally burn your skin when you’re using harsher ones like acids? With organic cleaners, you can rest assured that you are safe. Organic cleaners are very carefully tested for combustibility, skin absorption, inhaling toxicity and are non-corrosive.
Better quality of air- after long hours of cleaning, though you think you’re left with a cleaner place, the stench and odor of volatile chemicals that follow makes it unworthy of the effort. Use organic cleaners and experience “aromatherapy”, for these cleaners use pleasant essential oils that will alleviate your mood like they make your home cleaner.
Cost-effective- Using everyday ingredients to fashion cleaners do make organic cleaners more cost effective when compared to conventional ones.
Greener environment- When you’re using harsh chemicals to clean your home, not only are you putting your family at risk, but also your environment. Washing away the chemicals after cleaning, releases them into common water channels and pollutes waterways. Air pollution is a bigger hazard. Cleaners that release volatile chemicals into the environment greatly reduce the quality of air your neighbors are breathing in and also increases the rate of ozone depletion leading to a change in global climate. Switching to green cleaning could change all of this and so much more, ensuring that you are making the world a cleaner and greener place for everyone to live in.
Best of all, you need not buy all the organic cleaners from stores. Many organic cleaners can be found in your home. For example, baking soda and vinegar make an excellent combination for spot removal. Lime juice can also be used as a cleaning liquid for removal of hard water stains.
From the kitchen to the bathroom, any and all stains can be removed by cleaners that you make in your household. The common ingredients you need are citrus fruits or peels, borax, oils such as eucalyptus oil, lemon grass oil, lavender oil and vegetable oil. There are hundreds of guides on the internet that will tell you how to make these cleaners from scratch. All you need to have is a few minutes to spend for the safety of your family. In retrospect, it is not such a big price compared to the one you have to pay otherwise.
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