The Dangers of Store-Bought Cleaning Supplies

What Are Some of the Potentially Hazardous Chemicals That Are Commonly Found in the Home?

The cleaning products you use to keep your home clean and safe might actually be causing harm to you and your family. Let's take a look at the toxic chemicals that might be hiding in your home.

Laundry Detergents

Laundry detergents often contain enzymes that help to loosen ground-in dirt and stains. You can recognize them on the label as they will go by names like "anionic," "cationic," or "non-ionic."

These detergents are at their most dangerous if they are ingested. Someone who ingests these enzymes can experience vomiting, nausea, convulsions, shock, and coma. While non-ionic detergents aren't quite as toxic as some of the other types, they can still irritate your eyes and skin and increase your sensitivity to other chemicals.



If a person is exposed to large quantities of laundry detergent they can develop asthma. One common cause of household poisoning is laundry detergent, which typically results from accidental swallowing.

All-Purpose Cleaners

There are tons of different all-purpose cleaners for sale out there. Solvents, grease-cutting agents, detergents, and/or disinfectants can commonly be found in these cleaners. Some common chemicals include ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, and/or trisodium phosphate.



These cleaners can be highly toxic if swallowed by either humans or animals. They can also cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and nose.

Bleach

It is essential that you never mix chlorine bleach with any other household cleaning product. This is particularly true of ammonia. Poisonous gases can be released from this mixture which can lead to severe breathing trouble.

Bleach can also irritate your eyes, skin, throat, and nose. If there is direct contact between your skin and bleach, it can result in dermatitis. If bleach is ingested internally, it can result in stomach irritation, esophageal injury, and prolonged vomiting and nausea.

Dishwashing Detergent

Phosphate is the main ingredient in hand and automatic dishwashing detergents. The detergents used for automatic dishwashers are known to produce burns and skin irritations. They are also potentially poisonous if ingested.



While hand dishwashing detergents are known to be milder than those used for automatic machines, they can still cause irritation and nausea if swallowed.

Oven Cleaners

Lye is the primary ingredient in oven cleaners. This is a substance that can burn your skin and your eyes. Lye is incredibly corrosive.



If lye is swallowed it can be fatal. Even if it isn't fatal, it can lead to severe tissue damage.

Antibacterial Cleaner

When you use an antibacterial cleaner, you're likely doing so in the hopes that it will remove toxic substances from your home. However, there are, commonly, pesticides and surfactants in these cleaners.



Your skin and throat can be burned by common antibacterial cleaners and they can also irritate your eyes.

Window and Glass Cleaner

Window and glass cleaner is typically made using the primary ingredients of isopropanol and ammonia. Drowsiness, unconsciousness, and death can result from swallowing this type of toxic cleaner. They can also cause irritation to the skin, eyes, throat, and nose.

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Bleach is a common ingredient in toilet bowl cleaners. These products can both irritate your throat, skin, and nose as well as create dangerous gasses if mixed with other household cleaners.

Mold and Mildew Removers

Fungicide chemicals are found in most mold and mildew removers. These can lead to breathing problems and can burn your throat if you swallow them.

Drain Cleaners

Sulfuric acid and lye are both commonly used to make drain cleaners. Drain cleaners can be fatal if swallowed and can cause a number of terrifying health problems. For example, if these chemicals come in contact with your eyes it can cause blindness.

Rug, Upholstery, and Carpet Cleaners

The fumes that are given off by rug, carpet, and upholstery cleaners can cause liver damage and cancer. They have also been known to cause sleepiness, loss of appetite, dizziness, and disorientation.

(Are you looking for tips about how to clean your home more effectively and efficiently? If so, check out this article.)

Is It Time for You to Find a Safer Alternative to Toxic Cleaners?

Now that you know about the household chemicals that are hiding in your cleaning closet, are you wondering what alternative options there are?

At Purbloc, we've created a safe and effective cleaner using nano formulation technology. This means that you can clean away the toughest soil, dirt, and grease as well as bacteria and germs.

When you use a natural disinfectant spray, it means that you're making a choice that supports both your own health and the health of the environment. Commercial cleaners don't just have a negative impact on your health, but they also can release toxic chemicals into the air and the environment.

Is it time for you to make the switch to eco-friendly products? If so, check out our non-toxic disinfectant spray here.