Fact Sheet
January 2011
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals
Environmental Education Outreach Program
The Hazards of Common Cleaning Products
This fact sheet will provide information to reduce the over-use of
common cleaning products and present ideas for safe alternatives. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Exposure Assessment
Methodology (TEAM) studies indicate that while people are using
common cleaning products, they can expose themselves and others to
high pollutant levels. Selecting cleaning products that minimize the use
of hazardous chemicals can provide a clean environment while
protecting the health of workers and occupants.
What are the Hazards?
One third of cleaning products used today have ingredients that can harm you. The
most common injuries are burns to the eyes and skin, followed by toxic fumes.
Some of these chemicals are also associated with death, cancer, asthma, damage
to major organs, and interference with normal reproduction and development. The
table here provides a brief overview of how some common cleaning products may
affect your health:
Products
Hazardous Ingredients
How can these chemicals affect my health?
Glass Cleaner
All Purpose Cleaner
Carpet Spot Cleaner
2-Butoxyethanol
(a solvent)
Can cause irritation of the nose and eyes, headache,
vomiting.
Ammonia
Eye and lung irritant, can cause headaches.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Drain Cleaner
Hydrochloric Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Sulfuric Acid
Irritant and corrosive upon contact. Can cause respiratory
problems, eye and skin irritation, and discoloration of the
teeth.
Oven Cleaner
Heavy Duty Degreaser
Drain Cleaners
Sodium Hydroxide
Can cause severe burns upon contact, irritation of the nose,
throat and respiratory airways, and inflammation of the lungs.
Disinfectants (usually an
aerosol product)
Phenols
Can cause irritation of the eyes and skin, diarrhea, fainting,
dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.
Bleach
Calcium Hypochlorite
Sodium Hypochlorite
Can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system,
and emits toxic fumes when mixed with ammonia, vinegar,
acids, and other products.
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Use nontoxic alternatives first, toxic products
as “last resort.”
Store chemicals properly: in original labeled
containers, away from children and pets.


Share leftover toxic product and take what
you can’t share to a HHW facility.
Label nontoxic mixes and find more recipes
specific to your needs.
What are the Alternatives?
Before the chemical engineering era of WWII, household cleaning products were made with common
and much less hazardous ingredients that you can still put to use in your home today. These ingredients
are less expensive than the Hazardous Ingredients listed above, safer for you and your family, widely
available, involve less packaging and advertising, and are also very effective. The table below provides
some example ingredients that can be used as alternatives to hazardous products:
Ingredients
Product Use
Baking Soda
Cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours
Borax
Water softener, disinfectant, deodorizer, laundry
freshener
Lemon Juice
Natural fragrance, deodorizer, bleach alternative,
cuts through grease, and removes stains from
clothing
Washing Soda
Cuts grease, removes wax and lipstick,
neutralizes odors
White Vinegar
Cuts through grease and removes mildew, odors,
some stains and wax build-up
Recipes
All-Purpose Cleaner
2 c. white vinegar
2 c. water
Mix and warm in
microwave for tough jobs.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
½ c. baking soda
¼ c. vinegar
Combine ingredients, pour in
toilet and scrub.
“Natural” or “Green” Cleaning Products
Alternative cleaning products have been growing in popularity due to the increased
awareness of pollution impacts and sustainability issues. However, though some
cleaners are advertised as natural, green organic, or pure alternatives, be aware that
companies are not required to list ingredients on products labels, nor are ingredients
evaluated for safety before going to market. Be sure to follow the proper steps listed
below to identify toxic chemicals before using both common cleaning products as
well as the acclaimed natural, green or organic cleaning products.
How to Identify Toxic Chemicals
Read the Label: Avoid products that have the words “Danger”, “Poison”, or “Warning”.
Call Customer Service: Look for the toll free number on the label, call and ask if the product you are
using has hazardous ingredients that may harm you. You may also inquire at the store of purchase.
Read the Safety Data Sheet: Ask customer service staff to send you a Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for the product, or check the company’s website. This sheet explains what is in the cleaner, how
these ingredients might harm you and how to protect yourself while using it.
Disposing of Hazardous Products
Help leave the environment as clean as your countertops when switching to alternative cleaning
products or ingredients by ensuring your hazardous waste is disposed of properly. Before throwing
hazardous products in the trash or down the sink, contact your city or county waste agency to find
out how to dispose of toxic trash in your area.
Other Resources on Cleaning Products and Ingredients
Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQS (available for each chemical)
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp
Cleaning for Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment
http://www.informinc.org/pages/research/chemical-hazards-prevention/reports/report-cleaning-for-health.pdf
EPA Registered Hard Surface Disinfectants Comparison Chart
http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/school_health/documents/disinfectants.pdf
Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network: Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project
http://www.wsppn.org/Janitorial/jp4.cfm
Alaska Community Action on Toxics: Good Clean Fun-Green Cleaning Guide and Recipe Book
http://www.akaction.org/PDFs/Green Cleaning Booklet Web.pdf
Questions and Additional Information
Mansel Nelson, Mansel.Nelson@nau.edu, 928-523-1275, www.nau.edu/eeop