VOCs and Carcinogens, Oh My! Green Your Home With New Cleaning Products

24. March 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Housecleaning…it should make your home healthier, right? After all, you’re taking away the dirt and allergens and germs from your indoor environment. But hold on, Cinderella! Read the ingredient labels on your household cleaners to make sure you’re not doing as much harm to yourself as good!

If they contain 2-Butoxyethanol (as in some window and bathroom cleaners) or Glycol Ether, (ditto) or Nitriloacetates, you’re getting a nose full of nasty when you clean! The first two are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can cause nasal irritation, aggravate asthma or other breathing problems, and contribute to diseases like cancer. The last one is a suspected carcinogen (almost certainly causes cancer).

That’s bad enough if you’re the only one using them…but what if you’re pregnant? Cleaning with Baby? Or teaching the ten-year-old some responsibility by having them clean the toilet? Their young systems are even more susceptible to damage by these strong chemicals.

There’s good news though - more and more manufacturers are phasing out these types of ingredients, or at least giving you a choice. There are a number of new, “Green” cleaning products around today that work just as well (or better) than the old petrochemicals, and without the nasty smells and side effects. Look for these at your local store:

Seventh Generation has been making “Green” cleaning products for quite a while now. I personally use and like their dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent powder.

Ecover has a similiar line; their laundry prewash has worked well for me.

Clorox had a new line of products on the shelf when I stopped in at the store the other day, and our office now has GreenWorks bathroom and toilet cleaners on trial! (So far, so good…)

And last but not least, Target has a line of environmentally friendly cleaners getting rave reviews called Method. Bonus: the packaging looks really cool, too…kind of like if Apple designed cleaning products!

Don’t forget, you have similiar options with other aspects of your cleaning now. Ultrasteam Professional Cleaning in Durango offers “Green” cleaning for carpets, upholstery, stone, tile and grout. (Website: ultrasteamcleaning.com ) Some local window washers and housecleaning services do, too. Do your research and hire accordingly - for the health of the earth and your family!

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