5 Chemicals That are Killing You and the Environment

You’ve probably never heard of these “difficult to pronounce” chemicals before. Yet, they’re in many everyday cleaning products. And they’re destroying our health and the environment.

 The Hard Stuff:

• Benzalkonium Chloride. Found in many disinfectants and cleaning supplies.
• 2-ButoxyethanoL. Used in liquid soaps and industrial and household cleaners.
• Nonylphenol Ethoxylate. Found in detergents and cleaners.
• Isothiazolinone. Used in air fresheners, detergents and stain removers.
• Phthalates. Found in detergents and soap.

They are known to cause cancer, lung irritation, and even asthma.

They aren’t biodegradable, which means they take months or longer to break down in our water and soils.  They are bad news for people, plants and wildlife.

So, it’s not a surprise that many of these chemicals are banned in other countries.

However, what is surprising…

Many people don’t know that there’s a less dangerous way to clean.

That there are safer alternatives that work just as well – and are less expensive!

And they can even be found right in your pantry or at your local grocery store.

Here’s the list:

 The Alternatives:

• Distilled white vinegar. Non-toxic and has multiple uses. Its acidic nature prevents and kills mold, mildew, and bacteria.
• Baking soda. Basically a highly alkaline salt. It can take the place of cleansers and degreasers. And it’s great at absorbing odors – instead of masking them.
• Hydrogen peroxide. An antimicrobial agent that can disinfect surfaces, control mold and mildew and remove dirt and stains.
• Essential oils. Not only do they smell fabulous, but they’re 100% biodegradable. They also have antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties. 

At Jidan Cleaning, we use non-toxic alternatives because we consider the safety of our clients, staff, and the environment extremely important.

Our green multi-cleaner, EnvirOx®  is a unique combination of hydrogen peroxide and essential oils. The product’s uniquely patented, and stabilized formula provides a deeper level of clean, leaving behind no residue. It kills almost 100% of the common bacteria.

In addition to our safe products, we also incorporate ways to reuse, reduce, and recycle in our cleaning practices so we can contribute to a healthier planet.

We only change trash can bags and wastebasket liners when they are full or dirty.

We use microfiber cloths instead of paper towels. Microfiber loosens and removes dust and dirt from surfaces and doesn’t need chemicals to do the heavy cleaning. Because of its non-woven fabric, it dries faster than traditional cloths, and retains less germs and bacteria.

Microfiber cloths are also more durable than cotton rags and can be washed an average of 200-300 times before losing their effectiveness. Although microfiber cloths aren’t biodegradable, we recycle them through organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill that repurpose them for insulation and cushioning materials.

From the food we eat to the air we breath, we are surrounded by chemicals every day. We are happy knowing that in making some simple changes to our cleaning products and practices, we are helping to improve our health, the environment, and the earth.