A myth is a widely held false belief or idea. Whew! Cleaning, and the green cleaning products associated with it, is certainly a topic that is full of false beliefs. As a result it makes it hard to even know if you are doing more damage than good to yourself (and our loved ones) by the practices that are being used. The one we are going to look at today is if mixing chemicals makes better cleaners!
The damage is not only potentially done to us, our pets and family, but also to our plants. Gary Snyder summed it up very succinctly when he said, “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”
True or False: If One Cleaner is Good, Two is Better?
A common myth, is “If one product is good, two must be better.” That may be seen to be common sense, but it is faulty thinking. Household cleaning products can contain acid, alkali, bleach, and/or detergent. Unfortunately it is difficult to learn what is in it, since there is no requirement to list the ingredients on the package label, as we have become accustom with our food.
The poisoning potential of household cleaners is bad enough. Cleaning substances are led only by cosmetics and personal care products as the most common substances in unintentional pediatric exposures (children younger than 6 years, National Capital Poison Center, 2014).
Mixing is even worse! This is such a dangerous practice that it can kill you! Mixing cleaning products without at least a little basic chemistry knowledge can have fatal consequences. Here are a few major No-Nos:
- Vinegar and Bleach
- Ammonia and Bleach
- Detergents and Disinfectants that Contain Quaternary Ammonia
Even combining one brand of bleach with another can be dangerous. For example, mixing an acid based toilet bowl cleaner with bleach will result in formation of very irritating chlorine fumes that might cause serious breathing problems. (It is always advisable to ventilate the area in which you are working thoroughly by opening a door or window and using an exhaust fan, especially in bathrooms.)
CleansGreen® Spunlace Microfiber Cloth
One solution to consider is to clean without any chemicals at all. Using the CleansGreen® Spunlace Microfiber Cloth it is possible to clean with water alone. Use the reusable cloth wet or dry for smudge free, streak free, spot free, and lint free results. There are not chemicals added to the cloth, it is especially beneficial for those with allergies and/or chemical sensitivities. The results are achieved due to the fiber technology used to create it.
The Bottom Line from CleansGreen®”: When in doubt, stick to one product. A clean home provides the healthy environment that we want for our family, unfortunately the cleaners can become the culprit.
There are so many myths in the cleaning world. To review more common myths that have been denunked… Sign up for the eBook by Green Cleaning Products LLC, “The Bottom Line: Cleaning Myths Busted by CleansGreen®”.
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