Believe it or not, conventional, petrochemical-based cleaning products are major contributors to the toxicity of your home. They are the only household products that are regulated under the 1960 Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act. In addition, it is difficult to determine exactly how hazardous cleaning products are, since manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients.

But many cleaning products include chlorine, ammonia, artificial petroleum-based fragrances, detergents and many more ingredients that are known or suspected to be toxic to the human body. In fact, many of the chemicals that are unregulated and yet found in conventional household cleaning products are not allowed in workplaces due to Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations.

Many people do not yet appreciate the significant benefits on their health and on the environment of using natural cleaning products. However, since synthetic, petroleum-based cleaning products came into widespread use in the 1950s, we have seen significant problems, such as 1)Contamination of our water, including aquifers, lakes, rivers, streams and oceans, 2)Increased air pollution, including indoor air pollution, 3)Ecosystem imbalances, including loss of biodiversity and reductions in natural animal habitats, and 4)Increased cancer rates.

Most of us have grown up using various cleaning products and don't normally think of them as containing toxins. However, the following is a list of common cleaning product ingredients, possible side effects and some of the products these ingredients can be found in:

Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants and more. However, it can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory passages, is very toxic when inhaled in concentrated form, and can affect ecosystems leading to adverse effects to plants, animals and fish.

Glass windows can actually be cleaned very effectively with just a spray bottle filled with either club soda or a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. There are also several natural cleaning companies that manufacture very effective, non-toxic glass cleaners.

Note: If you have been cleaning windows with commercial products for a while, you may have some wax build-up that needs to be removed with a little rubbing alcohol before you can use the above solutions effectively.

Artificial fragrances are derived in large part from petrochemicals. Some are carcinogenic, and others contain or release formaldehyde. They often cause headaches, skin irritation, nausea and allergies. They are found in many cosmetic and personal care products, as well as in various cleaning supplies like laundry detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

Chlorine is one of the most heavily used chemicals today, despite a 1993 resolution by the American Public Health Association urging the American industry to stop using chlorine. Chlorine causes the most poisonings in our homes each year in the U.S. There is growing evidence that chlorinated drinking water causes bladder and rectal cancer. Chlorine can irritate the lungs, damage skin, eyes and other membranes.

Chlorine is listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant. It also reacts readily with other substances to create other dangerous compounds such as dioxins. Studies have shown a direct link between cancer and other health problems such as immune system dysfunction and exposure to dioxins. Chlorine is found in bleached paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, etc. It is also found in dishwasher detergent, laundry bleach, tub and tile cleaners and more.

Petroleum distillates such as toluene, xylene and benzene are found in many laundry stain removers, pesticides, furniture polish and other home cleaners. They are skin, respiratory and eye irritants, and many of them are carcinogenic.

Phenols are found in laundry detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners and furniture polish. They can cause swelling and hives, and are suspected carcinogens.

When we clean, we put these substances into the air that we breathe. We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day, so if toxins are contained in that air, we will be inhaling them along with the air. Toxic residue is also left on our clothes and on our dishes when we used conventional cleaners. We then wear these clothes all day, allowing these chemicals to be absorbed through our skin, and eat and drink off of these dishes, obviously ingesting some of these chemicals along with our food and beverages.

The use of these and other hazardous chemicals in our home day after day is especially problematic for children. Their immune systems and bodies are not yet fully developed and they often end up absorbing more of these chemicals than adults because of their tendency to put things in their mouth and to play on the floor. Their lower body weights also mean that they are being exposed to higher levels of contaminants per pound of body weight than adults are.

Most of us have been conditioned to believe that we must use powerful chemical disinfectants such as bleach, pine and ammonia cleaners to really clean. The truth is, hazardous disinfectants are not necessary to effectively clean. Bi-O-Kleen and other natural cleaning product manufacturers offer safe, non-toxic, natural, effective alternatives for all your cleaning tasks.

Look for natural cleaning products that are chlorine & phosphate free with no artificial colors or fragrances. You don't necessarily have to replace all your cleaning products overnight, but each time you run out, try a natural cleaner instead!