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Cleaning and keeping things clean are the daily activities of most of us. We use huge amounts of detergents for this purpose. The chemical compositions of these agents are very often not friendly to our health and the environment. Some of them can even threaten him. Fortunately, there are ecological substitutes for them, as well as household cleaning products based on soda, vinegar and citric acid. What detergents are safe for us?
Composition of detergents
Cleaning agents usually work effectively, have nice scents and are cheap. Their only drawback is the composition. They contain about 400 harmful and even toxic substances. The harmful effects of detergents often manifests itself after prolonged use. Reduced immunity, frequent infections of the upper respiratory tract, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, rashes, chemical burns, watery eyes, stinging in the throat, shortness of breath are common consequences of using detergents. Additionally, during their use, the environment is contaminated.
Toxins that can be found in cleaning products are, for example: chloroform, which causes strong irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, is carcinogenic, and damages the kidneys, heart and liver. Another substance is sodium hypochlorite, which has caustic properties. Formaldehyde, benzene and phthalates are carcinogens and seriously damage the liver. Other equally dangerous ingredients are reactive chlorine compounds, ammonia, phosphates, MEA, DEA and TEA (foaming agents), strong preservatives and phenols.
What is the difference between ecological cleaning products?
Ecological products do not contain toxic ingredients. These measures are biodegradable and completely safe for our health and ecosystem. Producers use natural ingredients commonly found in the environment. The basic ingredient of ecological cleaning products is vegetable soap. Another element are surfactants, in this case produced from coconut oil, vegetable starch and polysaccharides.
Additionally, the composition includes vegetable alcohol, citric acid, minerals, soda, silicates, pumice and lime dust. Natural cleaning products are gentle on the skin, do not cause health problems and are safe for allergy sufferers. Often their packaging is environmentally friendly, made of glass and paper.
Are you looking for environmentally friendly products? Check opinions about ecological products on Opineo.pl.
What to pay attention to when buying cleaning products?
Always check composition of purchased funds. Usually in eco products, all ingredients are listed on the label. It is worth choosing brands marked with certificates confirming the safety of their use. Let’s look for ECOCERT, Ecolabel, ICEA, BDIH, Asthma Allergi. It is best to choose detergents that smell only of essential oils and are sold in eco-friendly packaging. A slightly higher price of the funds pays off if we take into account the protection of our health and the environment.
Household cleaning products
We can easily replace dangerous cleaning products with soda, vinegar and lemon available in every home. Thanks to the organic acids it contains, lemon is useful for bleaching, removing limescale from various surfaces, cleaning kitchen worktops and even removing stains from clothes. Baking soda will be useful for absorbing unpleasant odors, cleaning the oven or washing clothes. The vinegar will remove most of the impurities and make the dishes glow. It has bactericidal properties.
Also read:
- Cleaning products for allergy sufferers – which are they safe?
- The most dangerous domestic pests
- Is low temperature washing safe?
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