Hygiene has been uppermost in our minds during these months and years of the pandemic as we obsessively sanitised our hands and disinfected the surfaces around us. But in our quest for cleanliness, we risk losing sight of the impact that mass-produced cleaning agents have on human health and the environment.
Don’t be fooled by that citrus fresh fragrance! Household cleaning agents, detergents, disinfectants, etc are laden with harsh and often toxic chemicals that are damaging to the lungs and pollute the air, water, and the ecosystem. Most such products are not adequately regulated and often brands make vague claims of being ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘natural’ that can be misleading. It helps to be aware of some of the common nasty chemicals in everyday household cleaning products, and the damage they can cause, and seek out green cleaning alternatives that are safe and non-toxic.
Impact on Human Health
Household cleaning products have been known to cause respiratory issues including asthma, allergies, headaches, irritation, and itchiness in the eyes and throat, and some chemicals can even be carcinogenic. Babies, young children, and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the harmful effect of such chemicals. A Canadian study has shown the association between household cleaning products and the risk of wheezing and asthma in kids as young as 3 years old.
While there is little we can do as individuals about outdoor pollution, we can try to keep the indoor air clean and healthy. Products like aerosol sprays, floor and surface polishes, paint, and air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger allergies and asthma and are best avoided.
Some of the other red flags are phthalates and BPA, which can disrupt hormone production, and chlorine, ammonia, and NPE (nonylphenol ethoxylate) found in detergents that cause rashes and skin ailments. Triclosan, found in detergents and handwash, is another potent chemical that can potentially affect foetal development and be carcinogenic.
Source: Med India
Impact on the Environment
The nasty chemicals in cleaning agents do not just affect our health, they hurt the environment also. Most of us have seen images of the foam-laden Yamuna river in Delhi or the lakes in Bengaluru. The water runoffs from our homes, hotels, offices, factories and other commercial spaces carry toxins like phosphorus through the drains into the water systems and contaminate them.
Most detergents also contain microplastics which are a growing environmental concern globally. All these pollutants dirty the groundwater and damage aquatic plant and animal life. Besides, most mass brands of cleaning products come in plastic packaging that is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable, generating waste that finds its way to landfills.
What We Can Do
While all this sounds dire, the solutions are rather simple and involve going back to the basics! By opting for home remedies or products that are sustainably made, have biodegradable ingredients, and come in environmentally friendly packaging, we can reduce our exposure to toxins.
By opting for home remedies or products that are sustainably made, have biodegradable ingredients, and come in environmentally friendly packaging, we can reduce our exposure to toxins.
To begin with, it’s good to do some research, read the labels on product packaging, and steer clear of products that are a cocktail of unpronounceable chemicals that are known to be harmful. You don’t even have to scour the supermarket shelves to find safe options for your household cleaning needs, as some of the most effective cleaning agents may already be in your kitchen.
Limes and lemons are the superpowers in your natural and safe home cleaning routine. They are acidic and have natural bleaching properties that are useful for removing hard water stains, besides leaving your home smelling fresh. Baking soda is a great deodorizer and, when mixed with lime juice, can be used to remove stubborn stains from kitchen surfaces. Vinegar and baking soda make for great detergents and fabric softeners. For a little bit of luxury, add natural essentials oils to these ingredients. Look up the internet for recipes that combine just these ingredients with water, you would be surprised to discover how easy they are. And give a hard pass to air fresheners and choose air purifying indoor plants instead.
3 Brands We Love
If DIY isn’t your thing, fret not! Several brands offer safe, non-toxic home cleaning products now. And most brands offer their products in non-plastic packaging and follow responsible practices. Here are three that we have ourselves used and that tick all the boxes.
Rustic Art – Rustic Art, started in 2010 in a small warehouse by the aunt-niece duo, Sunita Jaju and Swati Maheshwari, is probably one of the oldest brands that offer sustainable home care products in India. Their range includes laundry and dishwashing liquids as well as multipurpose surface cleaners. All the products are biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free. Not just this, their products are made in their production unit that is powered by solar energy, so sustainability is baked into their brand philosophy. They have also undertaken several social initiatives. We love this Little Laundry that is ideal for washing baby clothes. And it comes in a reusable cloth bag made by rural women of Satara.
Source: Rustic Art
Bare Necessities – The regular readers of these pages know how much we admire the folks at Bare Necessities! Started by Sahar Mansoor, an evangelist for zero-waste living herself, Bare Necessities is a socially conscious brand that takes a 360 degrees approach to sustainable living. It offers a vast range of ethically made products, educational workshops on zero waste and sustainable living, and innovative programs for refilling and returning packaging. Their neem, lemon, and citronella-based surface cleaners, true to their name Genie In A Bottle, work like magic. All ingredients are organic and safe, and the packaging is recyclable. We are a big fan of BN and with good reason!
Source: Bare Necessities
The Better Home – The Better Home, started by Dhimant Parekh and Anuradha Kedia as a part of our favourite digital media platform (along with The Good Loop of course!), The Better India, and eventually acquired by Globalbees, has one of the widest ranges of sustainable home care products in India. They use plant-based and biodegradable ingredients in formulations that are powerful and effective. They encourage the reuse and recycling of product packaging through subscription plans. Our top pick is their All In Home Kit which has multiple cleaners, laundry,dishwashingh liquid, and even garbage bags and air fresheners with essential oils. This kit has got all homecare needs covered, and serves as a great starter kit if you are new to green cleaning.
Source: The Better Home
As consumers, we have the power to make informed choices that our good for us, our families and for the planet. And with purpose-driven brands making green cleaning solutions accessible, it has never been easier to wash, scrub, wipe and clean the safe way!
