Household Cleaners: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The majority of people who shop for Household Packers Movers Hadapsar cleaners tend to continue to purchase “what works”. Despite warning labels and safety precautions, the general consumer continues to purchase harmful, chemically infused cleaning products. These products are taken into the home, opened up, and spread onto a variety of surfaces, all with the good intent to disinfect and erase a days, or even weeks worth of mess. However, if individuals stopped to consider just what these household cleaners consist of, they may not be so quick to spray or wipe them throughout their home.

The good news about common household cleaners is that they get the job done. If the product claims to “remove mold and mildew”, or “cut through grease”, it typically functions in this manner. There are products out there that are specifically designed to clean every imaginable surface, whether it be the toilet, glass and mirrors, or even the kitchen sink. Most household cleaners on grocery shelves today certainly make cleaning less of a chore, and a less daunting task. Although common cleaners are handy, what many people are unaware of is just how dangerous they can be.

Take bleach, for example. This toxic chemical has been used to clean houses for decades. Our grandmothers used it, our mothers used it (and still do), and many individuals continue to utilize its effectiveness for general cleaning and laundering on a daily basis. What is most frightening about bleach, which is considered to be a neurotoxin, is that it has adverse effects on one’s nervous system, can lead to lung, kidney and liver damage, and can lead to reproductive issues. What’s more is that bleach is not the only common cleaning agent with a laundry list of negative effects on peoples’ health. A number of household cleaners with strong vapors cause severe eye injuries, irritate the nose and throat, aggravate asthma, and can even interfere with brain function. Common multipurpose cleaners contain harmful chemicals, such as phenol and ethylene glycol, which are known carcinogens. Even popular laundry detergents contain a long list of toxins that are detrimental to one’s health, including ethanol, artificial fragrances, phosphates, and other synthetic chemicals.

The “bad” and the “ugly” really go hand in hand. What can be worse than knowing that household cleaners are linked to major organ damage, central nervous system damage, and even cancer? The ugly of it all is that household cleaning products have led to thousands of deaths over the years. According to a seven-year EPA study, women who work in the home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than woman who work outside of the home. This is a frightening statistic. The National Cancer Institute has stated that cancer is now the number two killer of children, next to accidental poisonings. And given the known fact that chemicals found in household cleaners have contributed to the tremendous rise in asthma, it is not surprising that asthma death in children has increased by 118% between 1980 and 1993. [Source: Environmental Health Threats to Children, Environmental Protection Agency 175-F-96-001, September].

In conclusion, although household cleaners do assist individuals in cleaning a multitude of surfaces, this pales in comparison to the negative, even deadly, effects these chemical cleaners have on one’s health. With all of the advancements today, there has to be a better, safer way to clean any given surface.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *