What Really Matters, a book by David Albert & Joyce Reed Green Living               Natural Parenting                 Life Learning
Natural Life Magazine
The original natural family living magazine, founded in 1976. Reader-supported
and trusted by thinking people around the world who want positive alternatives
to high cost, high consumption lifestyles for themselves and their families.
For the Sake of Our Children

Subscriber Services

Subscribe

Renew

Free Sample

Buy Books

Advertise

Contribute

Our Blog

Editor's
Commentary

Back Issues

Testimonials

Our Writers

RSS Feed

Return to
Home Page

Stay informed with a
free e-letter from
Natural Life's publisher
Life Media.
Type in your email address.
Here's a sample.



Bookmark and Share

Follow us on Twitter

Find us on Facebook

 

EarDoc

MUCK Film Festival

Holistic Moms Network Conference

Natural Family Life in Canada

www.holisticmoms.org

Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort

Thirty-four years of leading-edge, inspiring articles about green living.
Green Living Article Index
Green
Living
Sustainable Homes Article Index
Sustainable
Homes
Frugal Living Article Index
Frugal
Living
Natural Parenting Article Index
Natural
Parenting
Life Learning Article Index
Life
Learning
Organic Gardening Article Index
Organic
Gardening

Healthy Living Article Index
Healthy
Living

Natural Life Magazine September/October 2010
September/October 2010

Natural Life Magazine July/August 2010
July/August 2010

Natural Life Magazine May/June 2010
May/June 2010

Natural Life Magazine March/April 2010
March/April 2010

Natural Life magazine January/February 2010
January/February 2010

Natural Life magazine November/December 2009
November/December 2009

Natural Life Sept/Oct 2009
September/October 2009

Natural Life July/August 2009
July/August 2009

Natural Life May/June 2009
May/June 2009

Natural Life magazine March/April 2009
March/April 2009

from Natural Life magazine, January/February 2009
Ask Natural Life
What's the Dirt on Household Cleaners?
by Wendy Priesnitz

Q: Which household cleaning products for sale in the supermarket are green?

A: Actually, making your own is greener, cheaper and healthier...and not difficult! A leading laundry soap has more than 400 ingredients, but in North America, the manufacturer can call them a “trade secret” and doesn’t have to list them on the box. (In Europe, manufacturers must tell you if a product contains a carcinogen or other harmful ingredient.) If a manufacturer won’t tell you what’s in the product, why should you trust it to be safe to clean the bathtub in which you bathe your children, the clothes that your family wears or the dishes on which you eat your food? These products contain some exceedingly nasty ingredients and they’re tested by the manufacturers, not the government, prior to being unleashed into our homes.

As with the antibacterial soaps, cosmetics and air cleaners we’ve discussed in this column in the past, there are known health effects from many of the chemicals commonly used in household cleaning and laundry products. Animal studies have shown reproductive harm – testicular damage, reduced fertility, maternal toxicity, early embryonic death and birth defects. Some of the ingredients are proven carcinogens.

Glass cleaners and laundry detergents commonly contain phthalates, which are used as carriers for fragrance. Phthalates have been linked to increased allergic symptoms and asthma in children; some phthalates are also known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to birth defects.

Many glass cleaners and all-purpose spray cleaners also contain glycol ethers, such as 2-butoxyethanol. These solvents have been associated with low birth weight in exposed mice.

Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants found in laundry detergents, stain removers and all-purpose cleaners. They have been shown to reduce embryo survival in fish and to alter tadpole development.

Monoethanolamine (MEA), a surfactant found in some laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and floor cleaners, is a known inducer of...

To read the rest of this article, subscribe to Natural Life's digital edition, which includes access to this and other back issues.

 Wendy Priesnitz is Natural Life's Editor. This article is an update to one first published in Natural Life magazine in 1981 and based on reader input. We welcome your green and healthy home cleaning tips for inclusion in future updates. More information is available in Natural Life Magazine's new Green & Healthy Homes book.

Subscribe to Natural Life Magazine's online edition

Natural Life Books

Bringing it Home: A Home Business Start-Up Guide

Life Learning: Lessons from the Educational Frontier book

Life Learning: learning without schooling

School Free: The Homeschooling Handbook

Childs Play Magazine

homeschooling information for Canadians

Challenging Assumptions in Education

Advertise with Natural Life Magazine

Copyright © 1976 - 2010 Life Media

About Us  |  Contact  |  Subscribe  |  Advertise  |  Contribute  |
|  Sustainability Statement  |  Ethics Statement  |  Privacy Policy  |