http://www.care2.com/greenliving/quiz-safe-cleaning-products.html
Quiz: How Safe Are Your Cleaning Products?
The great irony of most modern cleaning products is that while they may remove surface dirt and sometimes germs, they make the air and surface dirty with volatile organic chemicals, hydrocarbons, chlorine, and more!
How badly is your indoor air quality polluted with cleaning product chemicals? Take our easy quiz and find out!
Count One Point for Every “Yes,” and Subtract One Point for Every “No.”
1. Do you buy your cleaning products at the supermarket, hardware stores or other mainstream outlets?
2. Do you spray air fresheners or hang air fresheners that weren’t bought in natural-living-type stores?
3. Do you use bleach in your laundry?
4. Do you use fragranced laundry products?
5. Do you use disinfectants?
6. Do you get headaches, rashes, or have trouble breathing when you clean?
7. Do you use a commercial oven cleaner?
8. Do you use commercial carpet cleaners?
9. Do you use mainstream-type commercial tub, tile and toilet cleaners?
10. Do you house a number of partially used cleaning products from commercial sources under your kitchen sink?
11. Does your furniture polish say “flammable?” Do you spray a commercial dusting product?
12. For all-purpose cleaning, do you use a mainstream commercial product?
ANSWERS
If you answered any questions with a “yes,” and have any points at all, you have some environmental indoor air quality issues. Here are some suggestions to improve the situation:
1. Do you buy your cleaning products at the supermarket, hardware stores or other mainstream outlets?
The majority of commercially available cleaning products contain “signal” words on their labels that are stronger than “caution,” such as danger/poison, warning, and flammable. The safest guideline and a good rule of thumb for buying safe cleaning products is to only buy cleaning products that have a signal word of “caution,” and nothing stronger.
2. Do you spray air fresheners or hang air fresheners that weren’t bought in natural-living-type stores?
Many of these products are banned in California because they contain dichlorobenzene, a carcinogenic chemical that is extremely toxic, a central nervous system depressant, a kidney and liver poison, and one of the chlorinated hydrocarbons that is long-lasting in the environment and is stored in body fat.
3. Do you use bleach in your laundry?
Chlorine is also a highly corrosive substance, capable of damaging skin, eyes, and other membranes. Chlorine was listed as a hazardous air pollutant in the 1990 Clean Air Act. Chlorine bleach can also cause cancer-causing chemicals to form in the waste water stream.
4. Do you use fragranced laundry products?
Synthetic fragrances can contain dozens and dozens of synthetic chemicals that are usually derived from petroleum products and contribute to indoor air quality problems and sensitivity in a large number of people. One-third of the substances used in the fragrance industry are toxic, according to The National Institute of Occupational Safety.
5. Do you use disinfectants?
Just as antibiotics are causing drug resistance, so too are disinfectants. Look very carefully at labels. Anything that says “kills germs” or something similar will probably contain triclosan, a suspected immunotoxicant and skin toxicant. It is more hazardous than most chemicals in most government ranking systems. Try pure essential-oil based antibacterial products instead, available in natural food stores.
6. Do you get headaches, rashes, or have trouble breathing when you clean?
Listen to what your body is telling you! If you don’t feel well after using any cleanser, whether it be so-called natural or not, stop using it and substitute something less problematic for you.
7. Do you use a commercial oven cleaner?
Oven cleaners are notoriously dangerous, corrosive chemicals that can cause severe burns and other health hazards including respiratory distress. Most of the ingredients are also neurotoxic and central nervous system depressants, which can cause headaches, depression, and lack of concentration.
8. Do you use commercial carpet cleaners?
I have yet to find one brand that isn’t made with synthetic fragrances, which will waft throughout the house for weeks after use. (See #4.)
9. Do you use mainstream-type commercial tub, tile and toilet cleaners?
Corrosive ingredients, bleach, and synthetic acids are a few of the irritating chemicals found in tub, tile and toilet cleaners.
10. Do you house a number of partially used cleaning products from commercial sources under your kitchen sink?
Fumes from the products will waft throughout the house, and be particularly strong for the person doing the dishes! Many of the chemical vapors are harmful to health, either with acute symptoms or long term harm, such as with those that can cause cancer.
11. Does your furniture polish say “flammable”? Do you use commercial spray dusting products?
Petroleum-based furniture polish and sprays can contain ingredients that are neurotoxic, central nervous system depressants, headaches, and lack of concentration.
12. For all-purpose cleaning do you use a mainstream commercial product?
Many commercial all-purpose cleaners contain chlorinated materials, as well as petroleum-based solvents that are neurotoxic and central nervous system depressants.
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80 comments
add your comment »Hi there,
That is so cool I started to use non-toxic cleaners & that aswell & would be more then happy to tell you how you can get these amazing products...
So why not live a healthy, purposeful and financially Secure life ...
Be Healthy from head to toe & from the inside out.
Email me for more info..
melaleuca_pixienix@live.com.au
or simply call me if you live in Australia
0418106760
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www.saferforyourhome.com is a great place to start for non toxic home cleaners. anyone wanting additional information, please feel free to contact me and i'll help you get started to a safer home. thanks and have a great day!!
joey purvis
ap28@bellsouth.net
407-592-6269
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Love all these posts! I fell into old habits when I moved into an older manufactured home. Seeing the years of dirt I had to deal with and knowing the amount of work ahead, I purchased what was available at the Safeway down the street.
But, now that I have been using these items in my home, I notice how the aromas bother me, how my skin feels if I forget to wear gloves and the knowing how they will harm the water.
I have gone back to the natural products and will replace all the bad commercial products as I need them.
Thank you everyone for the posts on where to find products that work! I love the Internet!
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I am 60 years old & have dealt with allergies my entire life. No one ever connected my migraine headaches with the toxicity of my cleaning products. Years ago I was introduced to the Get Clean products from Shaklee. My breathing has improved, my nose doesn't constantly run, and best of all, I am free of those headaches, AND I am saving sooooo much money. The best product is H for Household. Only drops added to a quart of MY water makes enough cleaner to out clean any commercially made product. No ODORS!! Not one bit toxic. Check it out. www.shaklee.net/pattandjimsimpson
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I love this. Everyday I learn a little something new that I can incorporate.
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That's not true, Poldy Cat. There are many alternatives. Every country sells vinegar, baking soda, lemons.... Make your own! Experimenting with these products is probably not hazardous to your health. You'll find recipes on Annie's website.
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Hi Annie
I'm not sure how to send the PDF?
kevin
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yes, send us the pdf for that cleaning guide!
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Hello Annie
i think this quiz is great. as manufacturer of Ecologo certified products (www.oillift.net)I'm always amazed that people do not understand that cleaners are the largest source of toxins in their homes. best regards Kevin Daum. P.S. I just wrote a booklet on non toxic cleaning called "How to Kill your Cleaning Staff" I'd be glad to e-mail the PDF if you like. The janitorial staff are having a good laugh and learning.
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Hello ladies,
It is definitely a scary world out there when it come to safer cleaners!
I have found a great company that sells safe, non toxic cleaners and household products for your home and your family.
I use nothing else in my home!!!!!!! Check them out at www.saferforyourhome.com
To find out how to get these safe,nontoxic cleaners for the safety and health of your family e-mail me and I would be happy to give you more information!
Take care and stay Healthy!!!
ELizabeth Kilchoer
Helping people live healthier lives
Elizabeth Kilchoer
A paid stay at home mom
healthierworld@earthlink.net
(714) 557-8427
http://www.thesamplebag.com/affiliates/id/1052
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