Have allergies? Avoid these chemicals in your cleaning products.
Chemical based cleaning products can easily cause allergies. That’s why you need to either stop cleaning your home, use natural ingredients to make your own cleaning products or start using natural cleaning products if you want to avoid allergy and stay safe at all times. Let's take a look at what's lurking inside those "poison" labeled cleaning products.
Ammonia
Ammonia is one of those chemicals that can be extremely dangerous for your health. It can cause lung damage or even make you go blind. Just a mild exposure can lead to throat or nose irritation, and a mild exposure will result in coughing. So yes, Ammonia is one of those poisonous chemicals that can be very dangerous for your health. It can even lead to death, not to mention it’s poisonous for kids too.
Formaldehyde
Prolonged exposure to Formaldehyde will irritate your upper respiratory tract. Yes, this includes your nose, throat, ears and eyes too. Many times, this can lead to throat and nose cancer. Moreover, Formaldehyde even leads to skin irritation. If you want to avoid allergy, you need to step away from products that include Formaldehyde!
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate / Sodium Laureth Sulphate
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) is another chemical that can cause damage to your eyes, skin and hair. It is an organic compound derived from coconuts or palm oil, hence it is natural & plant-derived, however, many studies have shown that while it is biodegradable and eco-friendly, it is in fact an irritant to the skin and eye. SLS/SLES is a foaming agent that is commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, dish washing soap, detergents and so on.
Phthalates
Phthalates are disrupting the endocrine system, and they can even reduce sperm count for men!! These chemicals are common in synthetic air fresheners and also in many cleaning chemicals. It is readily absorbed by the skin so we should be careful of its' precense.
Triclosan / Triclocarbon
Triclosan / Triclocarbon also leads to hormonal issues, not to mention it can even be carcinogenic. It’s one of those compounds that you want to avoid if you are prone to allergies, as it can cause severe reactions. You can find this chemical in most of the antibacterial soaps, sprays and detergents. The USA FDA has banned Triclosan and Tricarbon as an antiseptic ingredient. While most major brands have started to opt out of using this chemical, be certain to read the label to ensure whatever hand wash or sanitizer you get does not have this.
Chlorine
The challenging thing here is that we expose ourselves to Chlorine very often. In fact, we do that when we take a shower or bath. Chlorine leads to respiratory problems most of the time. In the long term, it can lead to thyroid dysfunctions, which is exactly the thing you want to avoid.
As you can see, it’s very hard to avoid allergies with so many chemicals in your home. Even when purchasing natural cleaning products, be sure to read the labels again and check if these harmful chemicals are hiding in these "natural" or "green" products. If unsure, reach out to the company and ask for clarifications. If the company is unable to offer a clear answer on what is in the product, be sure to err on the safe side and choose an alternative brand.
Finally, choosing a safe and natural product is just he beginning of a healthy home. Regular cleaning of your home is also important to maintain hygiene and reduce triggers of allergies.
