Home Detox: Get Greener Cleaners & Houseplants

Had a great time on Ebru Today talking about how to detox our homes as we prepare to seal ourselves in for the colder months. I focused primarily on cleaning products because I think so many folks don’t realize just how toxic they can be and how important it is for us to try to reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals, especially when our homes are closed up during the colder season. AND it’s not just about us. Many of the chemicals found in common household cleaning products get into the eco-system and are known to be endocrine inhibitors or disruptors to many species . . . not good . . .

Here are a couple of things to consider when thinking about the kinds of cleaning products you want to use in your house:

The EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top 5 environmental dangers
The average household has 3 – 25 gallons of toxic materials in the house, most of which are cleaning products
A European study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, found that regular use of common household cleaning sprays was linked to a 30 – 50% increased risk of asthma – YIKES!
There are approximately 17,000 chemicals used in the array of common household cleaners found in most homes, only 30% of these are tested for side effects on human health and the environment! ahhhhhhhh

Here are a few toxic chemicals found in many household cleaners and their effects on human health:

Chlorinated Phenols – found in toilet bowl cleaners, are toxic to the respiratory and circulatory systems
Diethylene Glycol – found in window cleaners, depresses the nervous system
Phenols – found in disinfectants, are toxic to respiratory and circulatory systems
Nonylphenol Ethoxylate – a common surfactant (detergent) found in laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners – BANNED IN EUROPE – has been shown to biodegrade slowly and when it does, it biodegrades into more toxic compounds. nice
Formaldehyde – found in spray and wick deodorizers, is a respiratory irritant and suspected carcinogen
Petroleum Solvents – in floor cleaners, damage mucous membranes
Perchloroethylene – a spot remover, causes liver and kidney damage
Butyl Cellosolve – common in all-purpose, window and other cleaners, damages bone marrow, nervous system, kidneys and liver

The list goes on. Have you cleaned up your cleaning products yet? Are you running for your cleaning product cabinet? Please do – get rid of the stuff, then check back in. We’ll still be here and we have some solutions, so don’t despair. You CAN be green AND clean!

Meanwhile, the GoodGuide did a pretty good comparison and rating chart for cleaning products that is worth taking a look at. You can always go to Environmental Working Group’s website and look through their chemical index . . . It’s a little scary, but offers a lot of information.

or Make Your Own!

Get some of my favorite, effective and simple DIY cleaning product recipes . . .

Happy Houseplants Can Help Too!

NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants extensively back in the 80′s as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

They were trying to get rid of or reduce the three most common toxic chemicals found in building materials, cleaning products, adhesives, and varnishes. So, they narrowed it down to these top offenders: formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

They found that spider plants worked well for filtering formaldehyde and Aloe vera (great not only great for minor cuts and wounds) helps clear formaldehyde and benzene! This was good news for this green diva, because while I’m great with plants outside, I suck at houseplants for some reason. Most of the plants they listed are common varieties and not too hard to keep alive! The plant in the image is indeed one of mine and it’s been happily transplanted since we moved into the new house. It was a baby from my brother, who is the houseplant MAN.

Other plants listed as good for cleansing indoor air are heartleaf philodendron, elephant ear philodendron, cornstalk dracaena, and english ivy. And here’s a link to an article I found that has a more thorough list of good air-cleaning houseplants towards the bottom of the page.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Suz F.

7:48AM PST on Jan 16, 2013

...awww this read was like a breath of fresh air--thanks-you for reminders and other helpful ideals of making ones home a place of comfort through plants and cleaning tips...

January 16
send a green star

Jessica S.

6:52AM PST on Jan 2, 2013

Thanks for the info!

Just getting started on making a lot of my own cleaning products now.

January 2
send a green star

natalie n.

9:24AM PDT on Oct 13, 2012

thanks its a useful reminder as i dont always shop based on ingredients/content but rather efficacy, and that can be detrimental too.

October 13
send a green star

paul m.

7:05AM PDT on Oct 12, 2012

Thank you

October 12
send a green star

Christine W.

6:01AM PDT on Oct 12, 2012

Thanks for the info.

Bonnie M.

7:39PM PDT on Oct 11, 2012

Thank you- we need to be reminded often that there are alternatives to toxic chemicals around the home and environment.

October 11
send a green star

Deborah D.

5:37PM PDT on Oct 10, 2012

I would LOVE to know what other plants may be good air cleaners, since philodendrons are on the list of plants toxic to cats. Many cats will try to nibble on plants and it is hard to keep cats away from anyplace they *really* want to go!