The Surprising Health Risks of Toxic Cleaning Products

Learn about the health risks of toxic cleaning products, and what you can do to make your cleaning routine safer.

Would you ever expect your cleaning products to cause skin damage? How about reproductive or behavioral problems? What about cancer?

By the time you are done reading this, the cleaning products under your sink are going to sound pretty scary. That’s because most conventional household cleaning products contain toxic ingredients that can be very harmful to your health.

Many of these health problems are particularly bad for women, people of color and low-income families – who more often do the household cleaning or clean houses or businesses for a living.

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure

Common Mistakes about Cleaning Products

Most of us make a few rookie mistakes when it comes to our cleaning routine.

1.) We assume that ALL cleaning products sold in stores are safe to use.

2.) We think that cleaning products must be OK for the environment.

3.) We hope that the government is effectively regulating the chemicals used in cleaning products to make sure they are safe for people and the planet.

Sadly, these assumptions are NOT TRUE! (read more on the problem of under-regulated chemicals here)

Health Risks from Toxic Cleaning Products*

It’s no fun to think about, but the cupboard under your kitchen or bathroom sink may be more like a toxic waste dump, than a magic toolkit for healthy cleaning. When you pull those toxic cleaning products out to use them, you may be doing more harm than good to the environment in your home (not to mention, the planet).

Here are some of the known health risks from cleaning products:

Allergies

Chemicals in cleaning products can cause skin rashes and eczema flareups, and lead to fits of sneezing and coughing. Studies have shown that 2-11% of the general population experience skin allergies to fragrance, which is very common in cleaning products.

Asthma

Studies have shown a link between exposure to household cleaning products and the likelihood of asthma among children. People with asthma can be exceptionally sensitive to air contaminants, including those in ordinary cleaning products. Fragrance exposure has been shown to trigger asthma and COPD.

Burns

Toxic ingredients like lye, sulfuric acid and bleach, which are common in cleaning products, can cause burns to the skin, nose and eyes.

Headaches

Many cleaning chemicals emit gasses called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that can trigger migraine headaches in some people. In a national survey, over 34% of respondents in the U.S. reported health problems, such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties, in response to exposure to fragranced products.

Poisoning

Accidental exposure or ingestion of harmful cleaning chemicals sends thousands of children to the hospital every year.

Reproductive Problems

Various chemicals widely used in cleaning products are known reproductive toxins linked to reproductive harm, including decreases in fertility, birth defects, premature birth, accelerated puberty, low sperm counts and other effects.

Developmental Problems

Occupational studies have highlighted risks of solvent exposure for children born to women working with organic solvents during pregnancy. Some of the children in this category had reduced IQ and language skills, as well as vision abnormalities.

Cancer

Some cleaning product ingredients have been directly linked to cancer and others create a carcinogenic compound when mixed. Other products contain preservatives that release low levels of cancer-causing formaldehyde. Women who clean for a living have been shown to have twice the risk of getting lung cancer, compared to women in other professions.

How to Avoid Health Risks from Toxic Cleaning Products

So now that you know how harmful cleaning products can be, let’s talk about what you can do to make your cleaning routine much healthier!

1.) Avoid the worst cleaning products – the ones with the word DANGER or POISON on the label.

2.) Reduce or eliminate the use of fragranced cleaning products.

3.) Don’t shop for cleaning products at dollar stores and similar low-budget stores. The likelihood of harmful chemicals is higher in cheap products.

4.) Choose eco-friendly cleaning brands.

5.) Make your own DIY cleaning products if you are so inclined.

Want even more info about non-toxic cleaning so you can be CONFIDENT that your cleaning routine is safe? Check out my Green Cleaning Kickstart mini-course!

*Sources: Environmental Working Group, Women’s Voices for the Earth