Household Cleaning Products That Harm the Environment

A variety of conventional cleaning products available on the market are used to remove stains, grease, mould and mildew from different surfaces, sanitise and disinfect bathrooms and kitchens.

Of course, these products can make your house look cleaner and shiner without much elbow grease, but most of them are exposed to hazardous chemicals that contribute to smog, air and water pollution.

The chemicals such as ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorine are grouped under the term “Volatile Organic Compounds” that are considered as the worst environmental hazards in household cleaning products. These chemicals are present in commercial floor cleaning products, disinfectants, detergents, glass cleaners and stain removers.

So, whenever it comes to cleaning a house, make sure you use non-toxic products that can help you achieve sparkling results without harming the environment. If you are moving out of your rental apartment, then hire professionals who can offer you eco-friendly bond cleaning in Sydney with a 100 % service guarantee.

Market-Based Green Cleaning Products

The green-cleaning products that claim to be safe for the environment also contain alternatives to hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to the planet. With the wide variety of household cleaners available, it is difficult for people to understand which products are eco-friendly and which ones are not – even if the label claims the product has fewer chemicals.

The root cause of green cleaning products is that they contain alternatives to ammonia, chlorine and other chemicals that are equally hazardous. These products can also harm our ecosystems and lead to some serious health issues.

Instead of using market-based green cleaning products, you can prepare non-toxic or less abrasive ones at home using natural cleaning ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, salt, lemon, olive oil, tea tree oil, etc. This is one of the best ways to keep the house clean without even affecting the environment.

Here is the list of a few household cleaning products that could be harming the planet.

1. Disinfectant/ Wet Wipes

According to the report, Australians are flushing thousands of kilograms of wet and disinfectant wipes down their toilets and beaches that are causing havoc in the sewerage and other waterways systems. Since they wipes don’t dissolve in water, they should not be flushed down in the toilets.

Apart from this, wet wipes contain harmful chemicals and plastics that can clog and pollute the waterways. Cleaning clogged drains are comparatively expensive and disruptive and posed an environmental risk by causing overflows in sewerage.

So, make sure you read the instructions and dispose of wet wipes carefully without harming the waterways in Sydney. You can also prepare natural disinfectants at home using white vinegar, baking soda, salt, etc.

2. Microbeads

Microbeads are typically found in abrasive cleaners, facewashes, body scrubs and toothpastes. When you use such products on a regular basis, they release tiny pieces of plastics that can pass water filtration systems and make their way into the ocean- which is chocking the marine life.

However, the government has announced a ban on all household cleaning products and cosmetics containing microbeads, but many products still continue to use them. To ensure you are using a safe and sound cleaning product, you must read the label and check whether it has microbeads or not.

3. Phosphates-Based Detergents

Phosphates are typically present in laundry detergents because they have the potential to remove tough stains and whiten the cloth. Of course, phosphate works wonders, but it can be harmful to our ecosystems.

When chemical-based detergents enter our waterways, they cause a process named ‘eutrophication’. This drastically affects the waterway because phosphate acts as fertilisers, causing small plants to grow rapidly than they would naturally.

4. Chlorine Bleaches

Chlorine bleaches found in various household cleaning products that are incredibly harmful than germs lurking on your kitchen countertops. Manufacturing companies often release chlorine bleach into water bodies where it reacts with other components to create hazardous toxins which linger and affect the environment.

5. Antibacterial Soaps

Such products claim to kill 99.9 % of germs and other bacteria. But do you know they contain potentially dangerous elements that can lead to some health problems? Many studies revealed that antibacterial gels and soaps available on the market are harmful – not only for the environment but also for the well-being of your kids and pets.

Instead of using market-based antibacterial products, you can create disinfectants and sanitisers at home using baking soda, white vinegar and lemon because they also have strong antibacterial properties.

How to Prevent Harm from Conventional Cleaning Products?

According to cleaning experts in Sydney, you can save the environment as well as your health by using natural cleaning ingredients available at home. Below is the list of some great ingredients that work wonders in keeping your house clean and green.

1. White Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaning ingredients that can help you get rid of tough and greasy stains from various surfaces. It breaks down grime, deodorises and makes your house look sparkling clean. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water to prepare all-purpose cleaner for thorough cleaning of your house.

Note: Make sure that you go through our list of things you should and shouldn’t clean using vinegar.

2. Castile Soap

It is a non-toxic alternative to harsh dishwashing soaps and detergents. Combine 1 cup of castile soap with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to get rid of greasy and oily stains from your dishes.

3. Baking Soda

A pinch of baking soda works wonders in removing gunk ring and other stains around your bathtub and showerhead. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water to treat stains from different surfaces. It can also be used as a natural deodoriser.

4. Rubbing Alcohol

Use rubbing alcohol as a natural floor cleaner instead of using hazardous products. Mix equal parts of vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water to bring back the lost shine of your laminated wood floors.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

Use it to prepare non-toxic disinfectant that can help you kill bacteria, germs and dust pollens that are lurking around the surfaces.

Conclusion

These are some common household cleaning products that can harm the environment if released into the water bodies or air. If you are concerned about a clean and green planet, then approach towards sustainable living.

You should always choose natural cleaners or green cleaning practices over conventional methods to keep your house clean and germ-free. If you want to hire professionals for safe and sound bond cleaning in Sydney, then ask them to carry eco-friendly cleaning products.