Natural vs Chemical Cleaners

Impacts of Everyday Household Cleaning Products on the Environment (and You / Your Family)

• Many laundry detergents contain phosphates which pollute oceans/water bodies

  • “Phosphates in smaller bodies of water can encourage excessive growth of algae, which depletes the supply of oxygen in the water and creates harmful living conditions for animals”

• Bleach and ammonia cause health problems upon ingestions, inhalation, or contact with skin

  • “Some toxic household substances can cause birth defects, brain damage, coma, or death. Common household chemicals are also linked to many common health problems such as headaches, joint pain, loss of sleep, asthma, allergies, and depression.”

• Overusing antimicrobial cleaning products promote the growth of germs resistant to antibiotics → those germs can only be removed with harsher chemicals

• Propellants of sprays contain Chlorofluorocarbons which damage the ozone layer

• Runoff from cleaning products, pesticides, etc. end up in soil, rivers, oceans and kill wildlife

• Chemical residue of household cleaners can seep into and contaminate groundwater

• Weed killers and nonbiodegradable chemicals that get flushed down drains are harmful to aquatic life