Cuts through grease but can also cut your breath: it’s known to cause asthma. Use vinegar instead.

Common and effective disinfectant but irritates the lungs and skin. It’s a killer if ingested.  Use borax, lemon juice, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree or eucalyptus oil instead.

What about pools? Chlorine byproducts found in swimming pools are linked to higher incidences of asthma, lung damage, stillbirths, miscarriages and bladder cancer - alternatives include ozone and ultraviolet treatments.

These dissolve soil - remove stains, but also cause nerve damage when absorbed by the skin, irritate your eyes, nose , throat and lungs, as well as lowering fertility. Try old fashioned water or eucalyptus oil instead.

This is a chemical agent that helps cut through grime but also causes asthma and respiratory ailments. Look for plant-based agents made from coconut, corn or soy.

Used in carpet cleaners and drycleaners to overpower stains, but is a carcinogen that causes liver, kidney and nervous system damage. Alternatives include liquid CO2 and a silicone-based solvent by a company called Green Earth.

Used in air fresheners, which coat your nasal passages with an oil film, or by releasing a nerve deadening agent to “freshen up the air.” Phenol touching your skin can cause it swelling, burning and hives plus cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory damage, coma and even death. Make your own air freshener with lemons cut up and covered with cold water or fresh mint sprigs in cold water. And with the way mint grows, you’ll have plenty to go around.

Phthalates 

Commonly used in plastics to increase flexibility, but also in nail polish and synthetic fragrances. You’ll find them in iPods and iPhones, computers and shower curtains. They disrupt hormones linked to causing obesity. Use essential oils, baking soda or borax instead. 

Oven cleaners use this to cut through that tough baked-on food that resists a hammer and chisel. It works because it’s a caustic, strong irritant, causing burns to both skin and eyes. Inhibits reflexes, will cause severe tissue damage if swallowed. Magnesium Hydroxide is a safe alternative or elbow grease, saving you a trip to the gym.

Used in laundry detergentsIrritates skin and mucous membranes, causes vomiting. Easily absorbed through the skin from clothes. Look for natural laundry detergents and for really tough stains, try Fels Naptha soap - it’s been around for over 100 years and it works!

This is a disinfectant used in antibacterial cleaners promoted constantly for ridding your home and children of nasty germs. What they don’t say is how it remains on cleaned surfaces helping stronger, resistant bacteria to grow. It’s also been found in soil used to grow food. Use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or that old standby: hot soapy water. Also keep in mind that a little bacteria in your life goes a long way to building a healthy immune system. 

 

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