greenliving
Spic and Span
known as phthalates, used in synthetic
a greener approach to fragrances, have been found to pro-
cleaning products
duce cancer of the liver and birth
defects in lab animals.
Instead: look on labels
for safer and more eco-friendly
ingredients, such as grain alcohol
by Mindy Pennybacker
as a solvent and natural plant
oils (olive, palm, pine, coconut,
T
here’s nothing like a cleanser that
eucalyptus, citrus, peppermint or
actually works as advertised, bulldoz-
lavender) as a soap base. Choose soaps
ing through dirt and leaving a surface
and detergents labeled “fragrance free”.
sparkling clean. But conventional cleaning
products can actually leave indoor air polluted
Chlorine Bleach. Also known as sodium hypo-
with a toxic smog of petrochemical volatile
chlorite and sodium hydroxide, this common
organic compounds (VOCs) and the synthetic
disinfectant, found in liquid bleach, drain
fragrances used to mask them.
cleaners and oven cleaners (combined with
Think, then, what damage cleaning products
caustic lye), can burn skin and eyes and be fa-
used on a regular basis year-round can do in
tal if swallowed. When it goes down the drain,
the enclosed space of a home, where VOCs can
it can produce organochlorines, which are
build up for months. “When they evaporate, they
suspected carcinogens as well as reproductive,
are transported directly to the brain, where they
neurological and immune-system toxins.
can be as intoxicating as ether or chloroform,”
Instead: use non-chlorine bleaches based
says Kaye Kilburn, professor of internal medi-
on hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate
cine at the University of Southern California medical school.
or sodium perborate. Borax, washing soda or white vinegar
“They are palpably dangerous to health.” In other words,
in water can also clean and remove stains. For ovens, coat
when someone complains of being knocked out after clean-
surfaces in a paste of water and baking or washing soda and
ing house, it’s likely more than just a turn of phrase.
let stand overnight, then scrub off while wearing gloves.
Cleaning product VOCs, many of which are neurotox-
Glass and Bathroom Cleaners. Ammonia, the main ingredient
ins and known or suspected carcinogens and/or hormone
in many window, tub, toilet and tile cleaners, is caustic and
disruptors, have been implicated in headaches, dizziness,
poisonous if ingested—and if combined with chlorine, present
watery eyes, skin rashes and respiratory problems.
in many scouring products, produces toxic chlorine gas!
A Spanish study published in 2003 surveyed more than
Instead: use chlorine-free scouring powders or bak-
4,000 women and found that 25 percent of asthma cases in
ing soda. For windows and mirrors, mix white vinegar with
the group were attributable to domestic cleaning work.
water. Safer toilet bowl and other cleaning solutions are sold
Here are some ingredients to avoid in cleaning prod-
by Seventh Generation, Ecover and others.
ucts plus safer, simpler alternatives.
After you’ve given the toxic products the heave-ho,
Detergents for Dishes, Clothes, Floors and Countertops.
you’ll discover that greener cleaning products are now
Most conventional soaps are made from petroleum, a non-
widely available. Most use natural cleansers, from lemon to
renewable resource. Some contain alkyphenol ethoxylates
baking soda, as their base. Ingredients in Bi-O-Kleen’s clean-
(APEs), suspected hormone disruptors that can threaten wild-
er/degreaser, laundry detergent and spray-and-wipe, for ex-
life after they go down the drain. Inhalation of vapors from
ample, include grapefruit seed and pulp, coconuts, soybeans,
butyl cellosolve, used as a solvent to dissolve grease, may
oranges and limes, corn, aloe, vegetable fiber, cider vinegar
irritate the respiratory tract and cause nausea, headaches,
and cold-pressed essential oils. Most green cleaning products
dizziness and unconsciousness. As with an overly perfumed
are biodegradable, and most are not tested on animals.
loved one, the synthetic fragrances in these products can
make you sneeze and wheeze.
Mindy Pennybacker is the editor of The Green Guide
“Fragrances are common allergens and repeated expo-
(thegreenguide.com) and a contributor to E’s book Green
sures can lead to onset of allergies, including symptoms such
Living, from which this was adapted.
as skin and respiratory tract irritation, headache and watery Contact: Bi-O-Kleen, 503-557-0216, naturallysafecleaning.
eyes,” says Dr. Harvey Karp, a Los Angeles pediatrician and com; Ecover, 323-720-5730, ecover.com; Seventh Genera-
assistant professor of medicine at UCLA. A family of chemicals tion, 802-658-3773, seventhgeneration.com.
 Southwestern Virginia
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