Is your home hiding a toxic hot spot? In most households it’s as close as the cabinet under the kitchen sink. That’s where millions of families store their cleaning products. These grime-fighters may make quick work of stains, grease, and other daily messes, but the vast majority have a dirty secret: they’re made from hazardous synthetic chemicals that are toxic to people and the environment.
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Could this include those cleaning products your own family regularly sprays, sponges, and splashes around the house? If you’re using conventional products, the answer is probably yes. But it’s hard to know for sure because cleaning product manufacturers don’t have to reveal the exact ingredients in their formulas, and they aren’t required to test these formulas for safety before they’re sold.
No wonder many people are surprised to learn that everything from popular all-purpose cleaners to leading floor polishes have been found to contain substances linked to cancer, asthma, reproductive and developmental disorders, neurological problems, hormonal disruption, and more. Over time, as we breathe and absorb small amounts of these chemicals during and after housekeeping, they can make us sick.
That’s why healthy home experts recommend giving your cleaning cupboard a nontoxic makeover. Transforming this single space from a toxic hot spot to a green safe-zone will go a long way toward making your entire home safe for your family.
Start the makeover by collecting every cleaning product that has the words “Poison,” “Warning,” or “Danger” on its label. Also grab those that contain synthetic chemical ingredients, or that don’t list all ingredients. A good rule of thumb says if you can’t pronounce it or don’t recognize it, you probably don’t want it around! Take these cleaners to your nearest hazardous waste collection site for safe disposal. You can find out where to go by doing a simple internet search for your city, state, and the term “hazardous waste.” Just don’t pour anything down the drain, where it can get into the waterways and pollute the environment.
When you’re done, restock your cupboard with today’s new generation of healthy cleaning products made from safe ingredients obtained from natural sources like plants and minerals. Use these green products around the house to make sure you’re cleaning up a mess, instead of making a new one!
