Many households rely on common cleaning products sold freely in the supermarkets. On the surface, they have passed all regulatory safety checks to be allowed on the market, but there is a lot that manufacturers didn’t tell us for a very long time. Science has discovered many health problems associated with the prolonged exposure to certain chemicals, which unfortunately the majority of the most popular cleaning products contain.
Bleach
Bleach is a powerful chemical that requires a lot of knowledge to be used safely and correctly. Diluted in water in the right proportions, it may not be such a serious health hazard, however, in strong concentration can cause permanent lung damage from simply inhaling the fumes.
In addition, people with respiratory issues and allergies should generally avoid bleach. Even a short exposure can lead to worsening of symptoms and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Ammonia
Ammonia has a very specific and strong smell. That’s nature’s warning to humans that exposure to it isn’t safe. The fumes produced from the use of ammonia are toxic and irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. More importantly, mixing ammonia and bleach can be a deadly combination. Never try this at home!
Off the Shelf Carpet Cleaners
A lot of people are tempted to clean their carpets and upholstery with products sold off the shelf in supermarkets. It looks like the cheaper option in comparison to booking a professional carpet cleaning service. Unfortunately, it is only an illusion. Not only are those cleaners largely ineffective in treating the stains, but also very dangerous for your health. Professionalists have access to cleaning products that contain low levels or no toxic chemicals and can still treat the stains successfully.
Rubbing Alcohol & Bleach
Rubbing alcohol is one of grandma’s favourite cleaning and disinfecting hacks. The problem is it cannot be used on all surfaces and can seriously damage some of them. If combined with bleach, it becomes extremely toxic and dangerous for everyone exposed to the fumes.
Air Fresheners
Research studies in recent years confirmed that popular brand air fresheners contain cancerogenes. Those are chemicals that promote or cause cancer. Artificial air fresheners are also not recommended for people with asthma or allergies.
Keeping your home free from bad odours is important, but it doesn’t have to involve toxic chemicals. There is a great natural alternative that is not only harmless, but is in fact beneficial to your health.
Diffusers with essential oils
Each essential oil has different properties, helps with a variety of health issues and some even have an antibacterial effect. Diffusers with sticks are perfect for bathrooms and toilets. Those that work with water and require electric connection are ideally placed in your bedrooms, living room or work space.
To make the right choice of essential oils to use at home you can read our recent blog post.