Letter B
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BATHROOM CLEANING PRODUCTS |
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Commercial cleaning products rely heavily on toxic chemicals to rid the bathroom kitchen and bathroom of germs and grime.
Ammonia, a staple in bathrooms and kitchens for its ability to cut through dirt and kill everything on contact. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC), which is carried through the air to your nose as a vapor.
Chlorine, the #1 household chemical involved in poisoning, is a component of many bleaching products. It can turn into a highly hazardous chemical when interacting with other substances.
Phosphates & Lye, used in drain and oven cleaners, detergent, pool cleaners, metal polishers and soap, are two of the most lethal products in the house.
Josie Spector, a mother of three and a "green" community activist, says, "Even the most informed shopper may find it challenging to know which cleaning products are safe for her family (as well as the environment) because manufacturers are not required by law to list all ingredients on the label."
Spector offers these helpful definitions:
| Term |
What it implies |
What it really means |
| Bio-Degradable |
The product will break down over time into harmless materials. |
Does not mean it is safe for the environment. Buy those that state how long it will take the product to biodegrade. The sooner, the better. |
| Chlorine-Free |
Contains no chlorine, a toxic chemical responsible for the most household poisonings each year and a cause of ozone depletion. |
Buy chlorine-free cleaners. Stop using those with chlorine bleach, for your health, safety and the environment. |
| Nontoxic |
Only a very large amount will cause damage. |
The term "non-toxic" is not regulated by law. Choose products that say in what way products are nontoxic – like, non-toxic if inhaled. |
| Oxygenated |
Whitens and brightens fabrics by releasing oxygen, which breaks up stains and eliminates mildew. |
Safer than chlorine bleach, they work slower than chlorine-based products, yet are effective. |
| Phosphate-Free |
Contains no phosphates -- which increase effectiveness of a detergent. When phosphates enter waterways, they promotes growth of algae, depletes the oxygen and kills fish. |
Phosphates are banned by law in all cleaning products except automatic dishwasher detergents. |
| Surfactants |
The active cleaning agent in detergents. Conventional products often use petroleum-based surfactants. |
Choose plant-based surfactants – a better choice for the environment. |
More information on toxic cleaning products and available green alternatives is just a click away:
www.consumersreport.com
www.thegreenguide.com
www.care2.com
www.greenhome.com
www.healthyworldhealthychild.com -- with information in Spanish, German, French and Portuguese
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Alphabet Soup
Learn the ABC's of safety with our easy
to read baby safety dictionary, Alphabet Soup.
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