Kitchen
Kitchen Cleaning ProductsWhat You Need To Know“Clean” does not always mean “healthy.”Many cleaning products may leave your sink, counter top or an appliance spotless, but contain toxic chemicals that aren’t healthy for you or your family. Follow these tips to ensure your kitchen is clean AND healthy:
What To Avoid
Fumes & poison:Stay away from cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals. Many of these chemicals release fumes that can be harmful when inhaled and can also damage our eyes and skin. They can also be poisonous for our children and pets.
Avoid: Some of the chemicals to avoid include Chlorine bleach, 2-butoxyethanol, Ammonia, toluene, Triclosan, Chlorine, Sodium hydroxide, fragrance, Phthalates, or products with quats – (Quaternary ammonium compounds).
Antimicrobial and antibacterial agents:You also want to stay away from Antimicrobial and antibacterial products as these can contain chemicals that increase your risk of cancer and hormone disrupting chemicals.
Safer Choices
Label tips:Read the labels on cleaning products and look for products with certifications such as EPA Safer Choice, and keywords like: “Non Toxic,” “Biodegradable,” “Fragrance Free,” Free and Clear” or “No VOC,” “Low VOC,” and “Chlorine Free.”
DIY:Consider cleaning using basic white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. Another great cleaner is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Often, dish soap, warm water and a microfiber is all you need! There are many easy-to-follow recipes available online. These more natural products can be just as effective for any cleaning tasks and are safer and affordable options!
Trap dust:Trap dust with wet mop or wet cloth for cleaning.
Vacuum:Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, this keeps dust inside your vacuum, rather than spreading it in the air! Vacuum hard surfaces before mopping them.
Shoes off: Remove your shoes at the front door. Wipe shoes on a sturdy doormat if you want to keep them on.
Fresh air: If outdoor Air quality is good (Airnow.gov), open the windows to help clear out any airborne pollutants that collect inside your house.
Store in a safe place:Remember to keep cleaning products out of reach of children and pets, and store them in a secure, cool, and dry place.
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
Resources
