A detailed account of why you should reconsider the toxic cleaners you’re using and what you should switch to.
What are the top harmful chemicals in everyday cleaners?
The most harmful category of chemicals that cleaning supplies can have hiding in their ingredients are VOCs (volatile organic compounds). According to the EPA, VOCs have high vapor pressure and low water solubility and they are emitted as gases from solids and liquids. And get this, VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times, yikes!). They can cause both temporary and permanent health problems.
Listed right there on the EPA’s website for examples of products that contain VOCs, they sandwich in cleaning supplies right between paint strippers and pesticides. I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly want the cleaners I use in my home to rank up there which paint strippers and pesticides.
It’s also not just the user of the chemical that is at risk. A study done by the EPA stated that pollutant levels can remain in the air long after the activity is completed.
According to the American Lung Association, the top cleaners that contain VOCs are (but not limited to):
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Aerosol spray products, including health, beauty and cleaning products;
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Air fresheners;
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Chlorine bleach;
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Detergent and dishwashing liquid;
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Dry cleaning chemicals;
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Rug and upholstery cleaners;
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Furniture and floor polish; and
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Oven cleaners.
Here’s the insane kicker: Manufacturers are not obligated by U.S. law to list all ingredients in consumer products. That is absolutely insane.
What Should I Look for in Cleaning Supplies?
Watch out for labeling like “green” or “natural”. This does NOT mean that it is automatically bad. However, it is impossible (even according to the EPA) to know if products marketed as natural are truly safer without knowing the ingredients. Products marketed as natural often use chemicals from corn or other biological sources, rather than petroleum. However, these ‘natural’ ingredients can have the same chemical make up as petroleum and therefore, still pose the same health effects and risks as petroleum itself. Just because a product is using renewable resources and is ‘green’, does not mean it is good.
Why Do We Love Humble Suds?
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we carry Humble Suds in the store.
We love Humble Suds because they are truly centered around their mission;
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to clean safely;
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to be radically transparent;
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to be zero-waste and;
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to inspire joy.
Humble Suds was created by two moms who weren’t satisfied with the "‘natural” and “clean” options for household cleaners, and thus set off on creating their own.
They are committed to creating products that are 6 ingredients or less, using ingredients that everyone is familiar with and essential oils for scent.
Additionally, most of their products are packaged in glass or recyclable/compostable packaging. We love products that are good for the earth once we’re done using them!
Why Do We Love Humble Suds?
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we carry Humble Suds in the store.
We love Humble Suds because they are truly centered around their mission;
-
to clean safely;
-
to be radically transparent;
-
to be zero-waste and;
-
to inspire joy.
Humble Suds was created by two moms who weren’t satisfied with the "‘natural” and “clean” options for household cleaners, and thus set off on creating their own.
They are committed to creating products that are 6 ingredients or less, using ingredients that everyone is familiar with and essential oils for scent.
Additionally, most of their products are packaged in glass or recyclable/compostable packaging. We love products that are good for the earth once we’re done using them!
We carry, love and use all of the following products:
