Shopping for cleaning products that contain less toxins is both good for the environment and for your health. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that may irritate your eyes or skin or cause respiratory issues. In addition, some cleaning products are “hazardous” and require proper disposal.
We know it can be overwhelming to choose the right product when shopping, so we suggest referencing the EPA’s list of Safer Choice-Certified Products. The EPA’s Safer Choice Program “certifies products that contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment.” If that list is still too much, they have another list of Recommended products. This list identifies credible ecolabels and breaks it down into categories such as custodial, electronics, etc.
But if those lists are STILL too thorough for your everyday lifestyle, Environmental Health News created a simple guide to help you avoid toxics when you shop. It basically involves following 4 main steps. Their 4 main points are:
- Avoid fragrance
- Avoid bleach
- Check the back label and keep in mind “less is more”
- Avoid key ingredients: quaternary ammonium "quats", parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde
Or if you want to really know and control what goes into your cleaning products, consider making your own. White vinegar, lemon and baking soda can go a long way! Check out this piece for some quick and simple recipes.
Wishing you happy (and healthy) shopping!
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