We’ve all looked at the back of our laundry detergent bottle or cleaning bottles, and wondered what some of the ingredients are and what they mean. It can be hard to interpret the pronunciations and, therefore, purpose of these ingredients. Because of this, shopping for cleaning products that are safe and efficient can be quite a cumbersome job, but here at Clean People, we aim to be as transparent as possible with our ingredients and ways to avoid the toxic, harmful ones.

9 Toxic Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid

1. Ammonia 

What is Ammonia? 

Ammonia is a naturally occurring colorless gas. It has a notably sharp aroma, and is highly irritating and corrosive. Ammonia is commonly used in agriculture to help promote the build up of nitrogen for use in fertilizers. It is also a common ingredient used in many household and commercial cleaners. 

Potential health risks: 

Ammonia in high concentrations will cause severe burns to skin, eyes, etc. It is also extremely irritating to respiratory systems in animals and humans. In some cases when mixed with other harmful chemicals like bleach, ammonia can create a deadly gas (Phosgene gas, also known as mustard gas)  that can cause serious injury including death.

How to spot on a label: 

Ammonia is typically found in glass cleaners due to its ability to leave a streak-free finish. Lookout for the term “ammonia” and its chemical name:  Hydrogen nitride.

2. Artificial Dyes 

What are Artificial Dyes? 

Artificial dyes are commonly used in cleaning and food products, and unfortunately, may come with a slew of potentially harmful effects. Brands inject their products with dyes to make them more appealing to the human eye. For instance, lavender laundry detergent may be dyed bright purple, or ocean breeze floor cleaner may be dyed bright blue. These artificial dyes are by-products of coal tar, and typically contain heavy metals that pollute the air and enter the body through airways and skin absorption. 

Potential health risks: 

All forms of artificial dyes are known to be human carcinogens, meaning they can potentially cause cancer. Specifically, red and yellow dyes are known to cause behavioral conditions in children such as ADHD and hyperactivity. Certain dyes are also known to be endocrine and reproductive disruptors in both men and women. 

How to spot on a label: 

Most dyes are labeled with the color name and a number, such as yellow-5 or red-40, but some others, like Carmoisine and Tartrazine, may be more difficult to identify. Look out for terms that start with “FD&C,” and are typically near the end of the list.

3. Bleach

What is Bleach? 

You may have heard of this cleaning product as chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine’s main use is to kill bacteria and whiten items. It is a powerful disinfectant due to its ability to oxidize when exposed to air; however, the detrimental effects far outweigh the benefits of this cleaning agent. Bleach is extremely harmful to mucous membranes and is highly reactive with other substances. It is toxic to marine-life and overuse of this substance can cause pollution and an ecological imbalance. 

Potential health risks: 

Damage to airways and risk of cancer over prolonged usage are a few of the ways bleach is harmful to humans. As mentioned above, it can create a toxic, deadly gas when mixed with acidic household cleaners like ammonia. 

How to spot on a label: 

Common names for bleach include chlorine or sodium hypochlorite. 

4. Formaldehyde

What is Formaldehyde? 

Formaldehyde is typically used in household and personal care products as a preservative. Many laundry detergent brands put formaldehyde in their products to extend shelf-life for as long as possible. Formaldehyde is known as a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). According to the American Lung Association, Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system and other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer. In the 1970’s, many people were coming down with severe respiratory illnesses due to the popular demand of formaldehyde-based insulations in American homes. It’s safe to say that formaldehyde should not have a place in our cleaning products. 

Potential health risks: 

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and is labeled as a sensitive chemical by the CDC. Other possible effects include, respiratory illness, headaches, disorientation, nose bleeds, nausea, and vomiting. Those with diagnosed asthma and respiratory conditions should avoid Formaldehyde as they are more susceptible to its effects. 

How to spot on a label: 

Formaldehyde itself will often not be listed in the ingredients list, but common sources to avoid are synthetic fragrances, DMDM hydantoin, and quaternium-15.

5. Phosphates

What are Phosphates? 

Phosphates are typically found in oven cleaners, drain cleaners, and toilet cleaners and are made by introducing oxygen to the naturally occurring element phosphorus. Exposure to phosphates causes calcium to leach from the bones resulting in ailments such as osteoporosis. Many countries have banned phosphates due to their ability to pollute helpful nutrients and feed toxic algae. 

Potential health risks: 

Phosphates prohibit the body’s ability to use necessary nutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. There are a plethora of conditions that result from being low in these nutrients. In large amounts, phosphates can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and in serious cases, calcification of vital organs. 

How to spot on a label: 

Look for names like phosphoric acid, tricalcium phosphate, or PHOS. 

6. Phthalates

What are Phthalates? 

Phthalates are substances used to make plastic more durable, flexible, and usable. They are added to plastic cleaner bottles, laundry/dish pod membranes, and other cleaning products using plastic. One way to identify whether a particular piece of plastic contains phthalates is to look for the number “3” on the inside of the recycling symbol on the bottle or container. 

Potential health risks: 

Phthalates are known endocrine and reproductive disruptors. They are also known to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs. 

How to spot on a label: 

Phthalates can be under terms such as Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP), Di-n-butyl Phthalate, Diethyl phthalate. Sometimes, phthalates can hide under the term “fragrance” as well. 

7. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
SLES is a popular surfactant, meaning it helps create suds or foam in soap. A common misconception is that if there are more suds, the product being cleaned will be “more clean.” Suds and foam do not equate to a product’s ability to effectively clean; therefore, SLES is completely unnecessary to add to cleaners. For more information on the suds myth, check out our “More Suds Equals More Clean: Fact or Myth” blog. SLES is derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol which is a known skin irritant. SLES is also known to be contaminated with the toxic manufacturing substance 1,4-dioxane (discussed later). 

Potential health risks: 

Due to the way SLES is made, there is a risk of dangerous carcinogenic impurities being found in this ingredient, namely Ethylene Oxide and 1,4 Dioxane. See more on 1,4 Dioxane below.

How to spot on a label: 

Aside from its original name sodium laureth sulfate, other names include sodium monolauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium monolauryl sulfate. 

8. 1,4-Dioxane 

What is 1,4-Dioxane? 

In recent weeks, the substance 1,4-Dioxane has received tremendous attention. On December 31, 2022, New York officially banned the use of 1,4-Dioxane in all cleaning and personal products due to its extreme danger of being a human carcinogen. This substance is used as an industrial solvent and is a harmful by-product of manufacturing processes with a similar chemical composition to that of an ether. 

Potential health risks: 

1,4-dioxane is a known human carcinogen and should be treated with the utmost caution. It is important to steer clear of any products that contain this chemical. Other symptoms include vertigo, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. 

How to spot on a label: 

1,4 Dioxane is a contaminant that forms in ethoxylated ingredients such Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and Polysorbates.  Keep an eye out for ingredients that end in “oxynol” or “eth” to avoid potentially contaminated products.

9. Quaternary Ammonia Compounds

What are Quaternary Ammonia Compounds? 

Quaternary Ammonia Compounds (also known as Quats or QACs) are a class of chemicals used in cleaning products as preservatives, surfactants, antistatic agents and disinfectants to kill viruses, bacteria, and mold. Quats are often found in surface cleaners, sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, sprays and liquids.  Use of products containing Quats skyrocketed during the pandemic, particularly in schools and workplaces.

Potential health risks: 

Quats have been known to cause severe skin burns, contact dermatitis, and eye damage.  They can trigger an asthma attack in those with asthma and they can also cause asthma to develop in those with no prior history. Research in mice studies has shown that some Quats may increase inflammation, disrupt the reproductive system, endocrine system, neurological system, and cause dysfunction in mitochondria and cholesterol biosynthesis.  Children, due to their smaller body weight and developing organs, are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental health effects of toxic chemicals, including Quats. 

How to spot on a label: 

Generally products containing Quaternary Ammonia Compounds will not use the term Quat or QAC on the label, but you can typically spot them by looking for any ingredient that ends in “Ammonium Chloride”.  Some commonly used Quats include Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, Dodecyl Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, 

Hexadecyltrimethylammonium (found in a chemical mixture called Cetrimide), and Benzalkonium Chloride.  

Summary

It can be incredibly overwhelming to shop and read ingredient labels on household products, but avoiding these ingredients will help put you on the path to success and wellness in your journey to find cleaning supplies. At Clean People, we want to equip you with an arsenal that you can actually feel good about using by offering top of line cleaning supplies with full transparency about the ingredients in them.