The Scary Side to Conventional Cleaning

Have you ever stopped to consider the chemicals in your cleaning products? Most people don't realize the dangerous chemicals they bring into their homes, which can seriously affect their health, their family, pets, and the environment.

One major concern when buying cleaning products is that manufacturers aren't required to list all ingredients on labels, so consumers never fully know what harmful ingredients they're using to clean their homes. Some companies also exploit eco-friendly branding by advertising products as “environmentally friendly” when that may not be true.

Knowing this, we want to educate consumers on what constitutes a green product, how to identify these products, and what harmful ingredients you should keep an eye out for when shopping for cleaning products.

PHTHALATES

Phthalates are a common ingredient found in many fragranced household cleaning products, such as air fresheners and dish soaps. Exposure to phthalates has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, congenital disabilities, respiratory disease, chemical burns to eyes and skin, and many more.

The issue with buying fragranced cleaning products is that companies are not required to disclose the ingredients that make up their fragrances. By law, companies only have to list ingredients that are “chemicals of known concern”. However, for reasons of competition, companies argue the success of the product hinges on the secrecy of ingredients.

SULFATES

Sulfates such as SLS and SLES are commonly found in cleaning products such as laundry and dishwasher detergents to help create a lather and enhance cleaning power. Typically produced from petroleum, sulfates are known for irritation to the skin, eyes, mouth, and lungs. Though not all sulfates are considered harmful, SLES can become contaminated with 1,4 -dioxane during the manufacturing process, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.

TRICLOSAN

Typically found in antibacterial cleaning products, triclosan is considered an endocrine disruptor and has been found to interfere with humans' thyroid hormone metabolism. Exposure to triclosan in infancy increases a child's chances of developing allergies, asthma, and eczema. 

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS (QUATS)

Another harmful ingredient found in disinfectant, antibacterial, and toilet cleaning products is Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats). Known as a powerful irritant, exposure to Quats can lead to skin rashes like dermatitis and is linked to multiple respiratory problems such as asthma, as well as fertility issues and reproductive harm. There are also concerns that the overuse of products containing Quats can lead to antibacterial-resistant bacteria.

BUTOXYETHANOL

Butoxyethanol is used in a lot of commercial and industrial cleaning solutions such as liquid dish soap, dry cleaning solutions, degreaser applications, glass cleaners, and all-purpose cleaners. Listed as a hazardous air pollutant, butoxyethanol has been shown to reduce fertility, as well as cause low birth weight, toxic liver metabolites, asthma, and allergies. 

CHLORINE

Chlorine is typically in bleach-based cleaning products like detergents, disinfectants, mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaner, but poses serious health risks to humans. Chlorinated products generate fumes that irritate lungs and are particularly dangerous for people suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema and people with heart conditions. Listed as a hazardous air pollutant, chlorine is also considered to be highly corrosive and can damage skin and eyes.

Chlorine is also used to bleach some paper towels, napkins, and tissues, which can contain dioxin that can potentially transfer to any person it comes in contact with. Dioxin has been known to affect people’s immune systems and the development of nervous systems, endocrine systems, and reproductive functions, and has also been classified as a known human carcinogen.

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, is extremely damaging and corrosive to human tissue. Typically used in industrial cleaning, drain and oven cleaners, and some soaps and detergents, exposure to sodium Hydroxide can result in severe burns to a person’s skin. When working with sodium hydroxide, inhalation of the substance can irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS

Since manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on their product bottles, look for third-party certifications to help identify how eco-friendly the product actually is.

ECOCERT CERTIFICATION

Ecocert Certification is an internationally recognized certification that guarantees the genuine practice of environmental respect throughout the formulation and manufacturing of a product. It is the leading European authority on organic and ecological certification, making it one of the largest internationally recognized organic certifications in the world. While current labeling standards tend to practice nondisclosure, all Ecocert-certified products are required to have clear labeling, ensuring transparency in their communication.

Ecocert requirements exceed those of Ecologo and the Green Seal, which allow SLES and ethoxylated alcohols that have been linked to cancer. These certifications also allow petroleum by-products. There are no set guidelines as to what constitutes a green product, and while we commend these other certifications for initiating change, there is obviously still a way to go.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP (EWG)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Their research shows that the cleaning industry still has a long way to go to ensure that the cleaning products we use are safe. All AspenClean products have been rated straight A's by EWG and became the first cleaning brand to receive the EWG VERIFIED seal, an achievement so far unique for a North American company making cleaning products.

LEAPING BUNNY CERTIFICATION

For all our animal lovers, Leaping Bunny certification is a commitment to a cruelty-free world. The Leaping Bunny certification was introduced by 8 national animal protection groups in hopes of making shopping for animal-cruelty-free products easier by setting clear standards. According to Leaping Bunny standards, a company is not allowed to conduct or commission animal testing of the product, ingredients, or formulation. The Leaping Bunny certification stands for vegan products and a company's commitment to the fight for animal protection.

ASPENCLEAN

As a brand that is committed to eco-friendly, green cleaning products and services, it discloses full transparency of all ingredients on each product bottle. All products contain only 100% natural and chemical-free ingredients, in an effort to have a clean home that won't have negative effects on your health, your home, or the environment. All our products work towards a sustainable, healthy future that isn't tainted by the harmful chemicals used in conventional household cleaning products. This way, you can be sure you're cleaning your home naturally, safely, and environmentally friendly, without harmful chemicals or toxins entering your home and endangering your family.