Household cleaners typically contain chemicals - there should be no gasps of shock or surprise over this non-news. However some chemicals are more likely to be kicking around your home than others and may even be found in more than one of your household products. Unfortunately many of these chemicals can negatively affect your health or that of those who live in your household. See the list below for some of the more common offenders (though definitely not all of them) and read the labels of your current household products to determine if it may be time to consider switching to something more natural.
Ammonia
Products you'll find it in: Ammonia cleaning products, window cleaner such as Windex, floor wax
Why it can be bad for you: Ammonia can irritate the eyes and the respiratory tract, and cause a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat. In extreme cases, it can cause the throat to swell and narrow, resulting in an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. It can also irritate the skin if exposure time is lengthy.
Perchloreothylene
Products you'll find it in: Carpet-cleaning solutions
Why it can be bad for you: Ingesting or inhaling "perc" can cause dizziness, nausea or fatigue. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention say it may also cause kidney and liver damage.
Dry Chlorine
Products you'll find it in: Dish-washing detergent
Why it can be bad for you: Dry chlorine is activated by water, and the fumes generated by the hot water of your dishwasher seep out of the machine into the air. This can cause problems breathing and irritation of the eyes. The dry chlorine also makes the product highly dangerous if ingested. It may seem like common sense to avoid doing so for adults, however dish detergents are the leading cause of household poisoning among children.
Petroleum distillates
Products you'll find it in: Hair conditioner, furniture polish, paint thinner, solvents
Why it can be bad for you: Can cause chemical pneumonia, interfere with lung functions, skin irritation and sensitivity to light.
Hydrochloric acid
Products you'll find it in: Drain cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner
Why it can be bad for you: Can severely damage skin and eyes. It is also highly corrosive.
Formaldehyde
Products you'll find it in: Scouring cleaners, floor polishes, rug and upholstery cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners
Why it can be bad for you: Watery eyes, burning eyes or throat, difficulty breathing if exposed to high levels. Wheezing, coughing, skin rash and severe allergic reactions can also occur. It is also a suspected human carcinogen.
Sodium hypochlorite
Products you'll find it in: Bleach, mildew stain removers, toilet cleaner, cleaning sprays, scouring powder
Why it can be bad for you: Can burn skin and cause eye damage. It is also a potential human carcinogen.
Sodium Hydroxide
Products you'll find it in: Drain cleaner, oven cleaner ; also known as lye or caustic soda
Why it can be bad for you: Even just low levels can irritate the skin and the eyes. Concentrated levels can cause serious burns to the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract.
Xylene
Products you'll find it in: Solvents, varnish
Why it can be bad for you: Can depress the central nervous system and cause symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Skin may become red, irritated or burn after contact, and eyes may be irritated. An extremely high concentration could lead to unconsciousness, respiratory failure and death, though such extreme occurrences are rare.
Phenol
Products you'll find it in: Phenol-based disinfectant cleaner
Why it can be bad for you: Corrosive to the skin and irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. Extreme cases of oral exposure can cause muscle weakness and tremors, paralysis, convulsions and respiratory arrest.
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether
Products you'll find it in: Toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner
Why it can be bad for you: Suspected to adversely affect the cardiovascular system, kidneys, nervous system and reproductive systems.
2-butoxyethanol
Products you'll find it in: Stain remover, multi- or all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, oven cleaner
Why it can be bad for you: May cause reproductive problems such as fertility issues and birth defects. High levels of exposure can also cause headaches, nose and eye irritation, vomiting and a metallic taste in the mouth.
» Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry