Is Your Cleaning Routine Making Your Home More Toxic?

The 2021 Annual Report of the National Poison Data System© (NPDS) from America’s Poison Centers recorded 2,080,917 human exposures, of which 7.5% had to do with household cleaning substances. 189,182 people – almost half of whom were babies, toddlers, and preschoolers – were acutely poisoned in 2021 alone by the careless and unnecessary inclusion of toxic ingredients in products designed for use in your home. 

The greatest concern may not have to do with any one of these products, but rather with the combination of these products. While it is well-known that you should never mix household cleaners due to potentially deadly chemical reactions, even the most careful practitioner is sometimes struck with misfortune when chemicals are in use. We recently spoke to our friend Deborah about her life-threatening experience with household cleaners and the switch she had to make to safe alternatives.

Each of us is exposed to such a wide variety of toxins and chemicals throughout our standard day, and while it’s nearly impossible to gauge independently the impact it’s having on our individual health and bodies, the implications are dire. The easiest way to prevent tragedy in your home is to simply find and remove the most hazardous elements.

FDA is the most lenient with household cleaning ingredients. They do not even require that companies list ingredients on the label! If a company does not disclose ingredients, we suggest you think twice before buying and thrice before using.  You will make a difference by returning a product to the store because it contains one of the following ingredients or if it doesn’t list any ingredients at all.  You deserve to get your money back.  

These are the 10 worst and most common offenders:

1. Ammonia

Ammonia can be found in many common household cleaners, such as glass cleaners, floor cleaners, and bathroom cleaners. It is important to always read the labels and use these products according to their instructions to ensure safe use. Ammonia can be harmful to humans if it is inhaled in large amounts. It can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin, and can cause coughing and difficulty breathing. In extreme cases, it can cause chemical burns and lung damage. It's important to handle ammonia safely and in well-ventilated areas.

2. Chlorine

Chlorine can be found in many common household cleaners, including bleach, laundry detergents, mildew removers, and some toilet bowl cleaners. It is often used as a disinfectant and antibacterial agent. The effects of chlorine poisoning depend on how long the person was exposed to chlorine and the amount of exposure. Even limited exposure to chlorine may result in blurred vision, burning pain, redness and blisters on the skin, burning sensation in the nose, throat and eyes, coughing and chest tightness.

3. Fragrance

Perfume and “Fragrances” in household products are linked to breathing difficulties and allergies. About 2,600 chemicals are commonly used in synthetic fragrances.  95% of chemicals used in these scents are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. Twenty-six of these chemicals are on the EU banned list.

Mostly synthetic ingredients, fragrances can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic.  Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves 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 studies that “over one-third of Americans report adverse health effects from fragranced consumer products…” These products can be anything from air fresheners, cleaning products and deodorizers, to hand sanitizers and scented candles. Unnaturally scented products are often the biggest toxic culprit.

Instead of looking for products labeled ”unscented” that simply mask chemical smells, experts recommend using those labeled “fragrance-free” or natural cleaners that list the essential oils present in the formula.

4. Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide can be found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and some bathroom cleaners. It has a high pH of 11 and will burn the skin and lungs. Cleaners that have a very high or low pH are known as caustic, and maybe they’re good for use on those tough to clean stains - if you don’t choose old fashioned elbow grease. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), they "can lead to caustic burns to the skin, eyes, or internally if swallowed.” The cleaners are so harmful they don’t even have to be ingested, just cleaning with them can lead to skin and lung irritation. It is important to always read the labels and handle these products with caution as they can be potentially harmful. Alway keep products with this ingredient out of reach of children. Don’t use a more powerful cleaner than needed for the job.

5. Benzyl Acetate

Benzyl acetate is primarily used as a fragrance. Products that contain benzyl acetate include fabric cleaners, dryer sheets, air fresheners, dishwashing detergents, and fabric softeners. The vapors in the air from benzyl acetate can be irritants to the eyes and respiratory system. Inhalation may cause nausea and vomiting, sore throat and drowsiness. Be Aware! Benzyl Acetate is often not listed on the label.  If the product smells like a fragrance, this is almost guaranteed to be present.

6. Phthalates

Products that contain phthalates include almost anything with a fragrance: air fresheners, dish soaps, tissues, and laundry detergents. Phthalates are chemicals that can hinder growth and development, and can be especially harmful to males during their reproductive years, possibly affecting fertility. In addition, animal studies have shown that phthalates may contribute to breast and liver cancers. Be AWARE, this is not listed on the label as it is a chemical in fragrance and other chemicals. Find more information about phthalates on The Toxic Free Foundation Ingredient Database.  

7. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

Quats are a kind of chemical used to kill bacteria, viruses, and mold, often used in disinfectants. Products containing quats include oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, cleaning wipes, and drain clog compounds. While quats are effective in killing viruses and bacteria, they are lung irritants and may contribute to breathing problems, including asthma. Quats can also cause skin burns and eye damage.

8. Triclosan

One of the “trendier” entries on this list, triclosan can be found in some hand soaps, dishwashing detergents, and other cleaning products labeled as "antibacterial." However, the use of triclosan in these products has been restricted in some countries due to 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 the use of this ingredient within the United States due to its potential for harm. Every time we check, there are new names by which this ingredient is being called to avoid these restrictions.

9. Formaldehyde

Well-known for its potent preservative power, formaldehyde can be found in some common household cleaners such as disinfectants, laundry detergents, and air fresheners. Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, even at low levels for short periods, and severe exposure can cause chemical burns and death. It is important to check the ingredient list before use to ensure that products do not contain formaldehyde. Be Aware! This will not be listed on the label as it is contained within and thus listed as these two commonly used preservatives: DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl). These are just two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure may irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravate coughs and colds.

10. Ethoxylates

On labels, this ingredient is identified by the prefix "PEG", "polyethylene", "polyethylene glycol", "polyoxyethylene", "-eth-", or "-oxynol-". These are a major class of non-ionic surfactants which are widely used in laundry detergents, household cleaners, all-purpose cleaning agents, dishwashing agents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, institutional and industrial cleaners, cosmetics, agriculture, and in textile, paper, oil and other process industries. As part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane - a potent carcinogen - is generated, as well as PEGs.

For more information about additional chemicals found in household and other products, please visit The ToxicFree Foundation’s website. 

You think you’re using “green cleaners”?

Regardless of what the label says, if “green cleaners” don’t list their ingredients, chances are they’re just as hazardous as conventional cleaners. Dr. Steinemann found in her research that products labeled as ‘green’, ‘organic’, and ‘all natural’ “emitted potentially hazardous air pollutants.”