There’s nothing more important than the health and safety of the people we care about, our homes and the environment around us. When it comes to cleaning, we often use harsh chemicals because we’ve been told that they provide a ‘better clean’. The downside is that these chemicals can cause harm to the things we hold dearest. Here’s how…

1. Danger of harsh chemicals to the home

Our home is our sanctuary, our safe place, the place we want to protect at all costs. When we use harsh chemicals on materials within our homes, they can easily cause damage, especially if usage instructions aren’t followed carefully. For example, strong acidic or alkaline cleaners can discolour natural stone and bleach or ammonia-based cleaners can deteriorate wood or painted surfaces over prolonged use.

2. Danger of harsh chemicals to people and animals

There are many health risks that come with using chemicals for cleaning. This is why it’s important to read usage instructions and use common sense - the health and safety of the people and animals we love most depends on it. Harsh chemicals are often toxic and can cause reactions when ingested, inhaled or touched by skin. They can also cause respiratory issues, skin problems, allergic reactions and more. As a note, you should never leave any cleaning product in reach of kids or pets. They are very curious and will often try to touch/drink/eat fluids, tablets and other cleaning materials which can lead to serious injury and even death.

3. Danger of harsh chemicals to the greater environment

When we use harsh chemicals, they have to be disposed of somehow. If they’re not disposed of properly, they can enter waterways, backyards and even end up being released into the air. This contaminates the ecosystem and can harm plants and animals on a massive scale. Some chemicals can even take many years to break down, causing long-term negative effects.

Types of harsh chemicals often used in cleaning products

These are some of the most commonly used chemicals in household cleaning products:

• Bleach
• Hydrochloric acid
• Formaldehyde
• Ammonia
• Phthalates

When it comes to ANY cleaning products, you should always use as directed and check the label for the ingredients to make sure you’re comfortable using them in your household. As a general rule, never mix cleaning products without proper research (not just a quick Google search). The proper storage, usage and disposal of harsh chemicals is definitely not something you want to leave to chance.