The main cleaning products available in common supermarkets and general stores contain many ingredients that are extremely toxic to people, pets and the environment. There are ways to get around using dangerous cleaning products. This list contains some of the most dangerous and toxic chemicals found in conventional cleaners. Avoid purchasing these products to maintain a safe home environment and an Earth friendly, green cleaning regime.

Dangerous Cleaning Products

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), are commonly found in detergents and disinfectants. These toxins are suspected hormone disruptors.

Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaning products. Ammonia is poisonous when swallowed, extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled and can burn the skin on contact.

Triclosan is a widely used chemical with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes, and cleaning supplies and is increasingly being used in a number of consumer products, such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags, sometimes as the proprietary Microban treatment.Indiscriminate use of Antibacterial cleansers containing triclosan may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs.

Butyl cellosolve is commonly found in glass cleaners, oven cleaners, general degreasers, spot removers, air fresheners, and carpet cleaners. It is poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant.

Chlorine bleach A bleach is a whitening chemical that removes color through a process called oxidation. It is found in many cleaning products. It can irritate the lungs and eyes and in waterways can become toxic organochlorines.

Diethanolamine is commonly found in cosmetics and shampoos. It is used to create a creamy texture as well as a foaming action. It can combine with nitrosomes (often-undisclosed preservatives) to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that penetrate skin.

Fragrance frequently contains phthalates, chemicals linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver cancer in lab animals and to asthma in children.

Phosphates soften water for detergents but contribute to algae blooms in our waterways, which can kill off fish populations.

Sodium hydroxide, found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, is extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn those tissues on contact.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin and cause contact dermatitis.