Of all household goods that can harm health and environment, “cleaning products are the easiest to replace,” says Christopher Gavigan, CEO and executive director of Healthy Child Healthy World.
Caustic cleaning agents, drain decloggers, and other chemical-laden products can cause allergic reactions, poisoning, and illness, especially in kids, whose smaller bodies are more sensitive.
There are perfectly good alternatives. That’s because there’s a growing list of environmentally conscience substitutes from smaller companies like Seventh Generation and Method, along with giants like Clorox, which is rolling out its Green Works line.
Not quite ready to trash the full bottles of traditional cleanser populating your cupboard? Just make sure you check the label for some of the biggest biddies: formaldehyde, ammonia, bleach, and probans.
To go really green, avoid dyes and fragrances, too. Or pick out products that meet certain independent standards, advises Stephen Hoskin, president of the Hoskin Group, a green cleaning consultancy; try greenseal or .
Better yet, make your own cleansers out of ingredients you already have, like vinegar and baking soda.
You can find recipes at healthychild . own_household_cleaners/.
