It’s a sad fact of moderm life, that sometimes it seems hell-bent on destroying us. Cleaning products are no exception.

There are dangerous chemicals that can be found in many off-the-shelf supermarket products, with names not out of place in a medical laboratory. Particularly nasty are the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) found in many cleaning products. These can reduce fertility and also may lead to genital malformations and neurobehavioural disorders. Woah.

Luckily, most cleaning products only contain a smidgen of these sort of chemicals. However, regular exposure to them  can be risky, particularly since there’s not a lot of information on their long-term effects. (So, clean freaks be warned).

So, how can you avoid them?

The next time you’re on a shopping trip, look past the smiling ducks and shining diamonds on the packages to the list of ingredients on the back. If you see one of these following chemicals, you might want to find an alternative.

Phthalates

Fragrance. It’s not as innocent as it sounds. In many cases, it’s a nice way of saying “an endocrine disruptor linked with reduced sperm counts and premature births”. You might find phthalates in air fresheners, dish soap and scented toilet paper. Just don’t be fooled by the innocent-sounding lemon-scented fragrance listed in the ingredients. If it’s scented, chances are phthalates are also present.

2-Butoxythanol

It might make your kitchen smell nice but it can also give you a sore throat. Sounds tame? Well in high levels this chemical can also to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.

You’ll find it in most window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners. Avoid it. Classified as a glycol ether, 2-butoxythanol can be particularly dangerous in unventilated bathrooms. Toxic fumes + no air = not a good idea.

Perchloroethylene (Perc)

This one gets around. It’s in dry-cleaning solutions, spot removers and carpet cleaners. But Perc is a neurotoxin and a possible carcinogen. In the US, people living in residential buildings near dry cleaners have complained of dizziness and loss of coordination.

Triclosan

Killing germs is one thing. Creating aggressive drug-resistant bacteria is another. While antibacterial products seem like a smart choice, they may contain triclosan, a violent antibacterial agent that may do us more harm than good.  Overusing antibacterial chemicals like triclosan helps microbes develop resistance, making them harder to beat with drugs.

Triclosan is also on a blacklist as a potential EDC.

Chlorine

It’s everywhere. Scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers and laundry whiteners are just a few of its hidey-holes. Because we’re so exposed to it it’s easier for it to build up. On an acute level, this can cause chronic respiratory irritant and possibly act as a thyroid disruptor. Sounds nasty.

If you can’t stomach the idea of using chemcials like these in your home, there are alternatives. Read our article on using natural cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda, or find a home cleaner that will use safe cleaning products without chemicals in your home.