What’s in your cleaning bucket?!?

As many people know I keep a blog for OnlyGreen as well. I usually keep the two blogs separate, but I felt my most recent post needs to be shared further. People need to fully understand exactly what is in the cleaning products they are using around their home and more importantly, around their family. Take a few minutes and educate yourself…
It’s posts like the one below that remind me of how proud I am to work where I do. I know I might sound bias, but ideally all companies would take this much into consideration when they manufacture their products. 

What is in your cleaning bucket?!?


Do you really know what is in your cleaning bucket at home? Many consumers have no idea. They may look in and see the labels of well trusted brands that they have used for years and years, but what is really in those bottles? When it comes to household cleaners, the truth is a scary and disgusting cocktail of many different ingredients. To keep yourself better informed, here is a list of what is in the most common cleaning products.


  • Phosphates – Phosphates are one of the most popular ingredients in conventional detergents, because of their strong cleaning ability. However, this has increasingly been overshadowed by their harmful effects on rivers, lakes, streams, and other fresh waters. Although phosphates are an important plant nutrient, higher than normal phosphate levels can destroy the health of the lake, stream or other fresh water body, as they allow algae in the water to grow faster than would naturally occur, turning clear lakes and rivers green and cloudy.

  • Triclosan – Triclosan, a commonly used preservative and anti-bacterial agent, has recently obtained its 15 minutes of fame thanks to the CBC series, Marketplace. One of the issues surrounding triclosan is that it can absorb through the skin and potentially disrupt hormone function. It is also seen as toxic to aquatic life, as categorized by Environment Canada, which basically means it has difficulty degrading and can build up in the environment after it has been rinsed down the drain. The largest does of controversy being discussed with triclosan is that it may not even be necessary. Period. Health Canada has recently recommened that consumers avoid using antibacterial products because they can kill off good bacteria that we need to fend off bad germs in our systems. In fact, a recent study of over 200 households found that people using antibacterial products didn’t reduce their risk for contracting viral infections.

  • Ammonia – Ammonia is a gas with an extremely sharp, irritating odor. Ammonia is often used as an ingredient in cleaning products, specifically glass cleaner. Natural ammonia is naturally formed when manure, plants and animals break down. Humans are regularly exposed to small amounts of ammonia in water, soil and air. This low-level ammonia exposure is not thought to cause long-term health hazards. However, in larger quantities, such as those found in household cleaners, ammonia fumes can pose an immediate hazard to the lungs and skin.

  • Fragrances/Perfumes – Many cleaners are sold with the promise of smelling like a fresh forest, fresh linens, or any fresh season they want to put on the label. The problem with fragrances is that they are often made up of phthalates, potential hormone disrupters and can cling to your clothing and linens in the form of residue.

At OnlyGreen, we are incredibly proud to offer a complete line of cleaning products that are free from any of the ingredients listed above. Although it is not legally mandated, we are also proud to list the complete ingredients list on each label, as well as on our website. We have nothing to hide! 

Check out our cleaning line for yourself! Did we mention it’s on sale?!



Originally posted on The Different Shades of OnlyGreen blog.

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    I never knew the details of the ingredients of most cleaners, I just stopped using them a long time ago because they would never list the ingredients. Dave and I resorted to cleaning with baking soda and vinegar and we make our own laundry soap because we don’t trust any of the name brands that are on store shelves. Thanks for the info – as disturbing as it is, we need to be informed! -Robin

    • says

      Hey Robin! It is very frustrating that they do not legally have to list ingredients on labels for cleaning products. There is a lot of push to change that law, but it could be a ways out. When we launched our line a few years ago, that was one of the things we knew we would do differently. It should be mandated so that consumers know exactly is being used around their families.

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