3 Household Chemicals Dangerous to Your Family’s Health
It’s essential to have a clean house and methods for maintaining a green lawn, but do you wonder about the chemicals in your home? The ingredients found in cleansers and chemicals around the house can pose health risks you may not be aware of. Here are some chemicals that pose a danger to your family’s health.
Danger Lurks in the AC
Most homes require proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Freon is an aerosol refrigerant that brings a home cool air. Poorly installed units, units with corrosion, and ACs with defects from the factory can leak dangerous Freon into the environment. Inhaled, Freon is an odorless gas capable of shutting down the body’s oxygen intake. Avoid problems with Freon leaks by having your AC serviced every year, and take care of any repairs as soon as possible.
What’s in Your Cleaner?
While you may want efficient cleaners, you also want to maintain the health and wellness of your family. Unfortunately, cleansers often lack an ingredients list. This makes it difficult to know what you’re inhaling and absorbing through your skin. Even items labeled as “natural” can be quite toxic. If the product doesn’t include an ingredients list or a website with the information, it’s best to avoid them.
Chemicals such as phthalates, 2-Butoxyethanol, and perchloroethylene are common cleaning ingredients that have been linked to health issues, including cancer. It’s best to look for safer alternatives, including cleansers with gentler ingredients. Better yet, online recipes abound for homemade cleaners, providing another choice for a healthier home.
Other Toxins Found in Homes
Don’t just keep an eye out for chemicals: Naturally occurring phenomena may also contribute to sickness and significant discomfort. Mildew and mold are both fungi, but mold can become more dangerous and even life-threatening. Molds can cause respiratory distress, allergic reactions, and difficulty breathing. While you could risk potential side effects by choosing a toxic mold and mildew cleaner, it might be safer to pick an M-1 House Wash, which eliminates mold and mildew without caustic ingredients. White distilled vinegar also kills mold, even problematic black mold.
Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies
Recipes for homemade cleaning supplies abound, providing several choices for making laundry soap, dish soap, and shower cleaner. For most dangerous cleaners, there is a less harsh alternative. Household ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils make up the simple list for bathroom and kitchen cleaners. Hydrogen peroxide makes a safer substitute for bleach in the laundry. For the lawn and the garden, soapy water makes a great, safe substitution for pesticides. Remember, natural isn’t always safe. Even products such as vinegar mixed with baking soda require care and safe ventilation.
Maintaining a clean home doesn’t require toxic, caustic cleaning supplies. There are several safer alternatives available for purchase, or you can make your own with simple recipes and household ingredients. Know what’s in your cleaning products and make regular checks around your home, especially the AC unit, looking for potential problems.