Many People Continue to Clean with Toxic Chemicals Despite Growing Awareness of Indoor Air Pollution

From countertop sprays and glass cleaners to bathroom foamers and stove degreasers, a lot of people are stuck using harsh chemicals for their daily cleaning routines. 

Some think it is silly to suggest that cleaning products are a threat to our health. Most of us were raised to believe that the sharp odor of bleach is just what "clean" smells like. We tend to think of air pollution as something that happens outside, like smog from a busy highway.

But scientific research shows that indoor air is often more dangerous than the air outside, even in large industrial cities. The chemical cleaners and air fresheners we buy at the supermarket are a major reason why this happens. So, why are we still using this stuff?

It is shocking that despite the obvious risks, people keep buying products that emit hundreds of dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can make the air inside your home 2 to 10 times—and sometimes 100 times—more polluted than the air outdoors. VOCs linger for weeks and cause headaches, respiratory issues, and even cancer. 

The explanation for all this is actually simple. It comes down to money, corporate greenwashing, old habits, and that nagging belief that a strong chlorine smell is the only way to know a room is truly disinfected. 

Economics

On the economic side, chemical cleaners are incredibly cheap to make in bulk. They are loaded with synthetic stabilizers, preservatives, and antioxidants that keep their color, scent, and potency for up to three years. In contrast, non-chemical alternatives are newer, do not last as long as chemical cleaning products, and often cost more because they aren't produced in the same massive volumes.

Greenwashing

Then there is greenwashing. It surprises people to learn that manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on the labels of cleaning products. Brands frequently use buzzwords such as "natural," "green," or "eco-friendly" without stringent regulatory oversight. Misleading marketing conceals respiratory irritants and central nervous system depressants under the vague term "fragrance."

Relying on the Past

Next, we have those heavily promoted heritage brands that have been reliable staples beneath kitchen sinks for years. These are the kinds of products that smell like lemon or pine. People think these smells mean the products are working to keep them safe and clean. In truth, these smells are chemical compounds that can seriously harm your lungs over time.

The Importance of Disinfection

Lastly, when the COVID-19 pandemic started people began to clean surfaces more often and that practice continues today. But in cases of severe pathogens or virus outbreaks, the belief is that non-chemical alternatives fall short, prompting manufacturers to mislead or deceive us into thinking that aggressive chemical disinfectants like bleach are essential. This is not true.

For example, there is a product called the Ladybug steam vapor system designed and developed by Advanced Vapor Technologies. It uses a proprietary technology called TANCS® to kill germs over 1,000 times better than bleach does. It requires only tap water, and nothing is more "truly" natural than water. 

There are also companies like Branch Basics that make cleaning products from plants and minerals. While not a sanitizer or disinfectant, these products meet the standards of the Environmental Working Group for being safe and healthy.

You can click here to watch a video that explains how TANCS® works. Then take a look at what's under your kitchen sink. Is it neat and tidy? Or is it a mess with old sponges and cans that say Danger, Warning, Caution, and Poison?

It only makes good sense to get rid of chemical products that can hurt us and our families and to start using products like Ladybug and Branch Basics that help us make our homes happy and healthy without the toxic side effects.

So, what do you have under your kitchen sink?