Why Should I Use Green Cleaning Products?

These days many people are asking themselves;substances not only harm the skin; they also give off
"Why should I use green cleaning products?" It maytoxic fumes that affect the person using the product
seem like it is just another fad or trend but manyand everyone else. Symptoms from 'the flu' to
people in the cleaning industry and others involvedheadaches have been associated with products we
with the green phenomenon believe that this is justuse to clean our furniture, bathrooms and clothes, as
the beginning of a cultural transformation away fromwell as air fresheners to keep our bathrooms smelling
the chemicals we use in our daily lives. Traditionalpleasant (Raymond Francis, M.Sc., Never Be Sick
cleaning agents infect our lungs with carcinogens,Again).
barrage the strength of our immune system, andMaking your home safer for your family.... Use
expose us to unnecessary physical stress. They arenaturally derived, biodegradable non-toxic cleaning
also slow to biodegrade, often remaining present inproducts. These products have proven to clean just
the earth's soil and environment for generations. Whyas well if not better than traditional cleaning products
then should we be slaves to the marketing power ofwithout the side effects associated with the use of
the cleaning manufacturers of today who have madetoxic chemical cleaners. Some of the major non-toxic
us believe that we need chemicals to clean?cleaning products which are readily available include:
Toxicity: The facts...o A 15 year study in Oregon,Simple Green, Green Works, Melaleuca, and even
comparing women who didn't work outside the homesome home made products. Look for a later article
with women who did, found a 54% higher death rateoutlining some green cleaning product recipes!
from cancer in the women who stayed at home. TheSome tips to make your home safer....
study suggested that chronic exposure to cleaning1)Open the windows and get plenty of fresh air
products played a role. (The Seventh Generationcirculation
Guide to a Toxin Free Home)o EPA studies of human2)Be especially wary of antibacterial cleaners,
exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor airall-purpose cleaners, paints, stains, aerosol sprays, and
levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, andair fresheners
occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor3)Instead use all naturally based non-toxic cleaners
levels. Cleaning products and other household4)Fill your home with houseplants to help clean your
products are among the culprits (Environmentalair
Protection Agency-EPA).o Approximately 85,0005)Avoid the following chemicals: alkylphenol
chemicals are in use today. According to the Breastethoxylates (APEs), ammonia, antibacterials, butyl
Cancer Fund, complete toxicological screening data iscellosolve, chlorine bleach, diethanolamine, fragrance,
available for only 7% of these chemicals, and morephosphates, sodium hydroxide, sodium lauryl sulfate
than 90% have never been tested for their effects6)Look for products that are biodegradable
on human health. (Breast Cancer Fund)o Household7)Manufacturers that give plenty of information on
cleaning products rank among the most toxictheir products Simply by switching your chemical,
everyday substances to which people aretoxic cleaning products over to green, biodegradable
exposed...most chemical brands are not safe. Someproducts you can easily make your home safer for
especially toxic household cleaners include ammonia,your family and pets. So what are you waiting for?
chlorine bleach, aerosol propellants, detergents,Go Green!
petroleum distillates and toluene. Many of these