Multipurpose sprays are one of those house hold items we seem to always have a few of. The marketing hooks us in so well with us this “idea” that they are all doing our house a different role or duty. When in fact a comparison of ingredients shows they are all pretty much the same and all highly toxic. Most people use multipurpose sprays incorrectly and often use them on areas where food is prepared or eaten off, put near our children and sprayed even near our pets.
Cleaning ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. Most of those that are labeled green are still harmful. Some are acute, creating immediate hazards, while othe
rs are associated with chronic or long-term effects on our health, such as cancer, i fertility issues & leaning difficulties. Furthermore, studies of household dust have shown high levels asthmagens and other toxic chemicals. Dust in our homes and workplace act like magnets for the toxic and harmful chemicals we use to clean.
Since chemicals in cleaning products are not required to be listed on the packages, we do not know what harmful ingredients are used.
3 ingredients I really dislike in multipurpose sprays are :
* Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs)
* Glycol ethers
* DEA, MEA and TEA
Sudsing agents diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) freak me out! When these substances come into contact with nitrites, often present as undisclosed preservatives or contaminants, they react to form nitrosamines - carcinogens that readily penetrate the skin. I cannot remember a time I’ve seen someone wear gloves and a mask when using these product but FYI - you should.
Some other reasons to make your own and ditch the multipurpose sprays are:
* lack of ingredients list
* Warnings on product safety data sheets saying things like : DO NOT USE NEAR
CHILDREN, WEAR PROTECTION EYE WEAR WHEN USING, COVER SKIN AREAS. What I loved in the small print was (this product has not been tested as a whole )
* Kills 99.9% germs - avoid any product that makes these claims
* They contain fragrance at really high levels to disguise the chemical smells
Multipurpose spray SHOULDN'T leave your home in a plume of toxic, endocrine disrupting chemicals and claim it is "clean". For every day cleaning on all surfaces, check out or "HOME" page for cleaning products that are non-toxic, chemical free and safe around yourself, babies, pets and more.