The Dirt On Cleaning Products

Even so-called natural cleaning products could be hiding harmful chemicals. Make a clean sweep with these truly toxin-free cleansers.

- Susan Finch

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S REALLY IN THE bottles under your kitchen sink? Some of your store-bought cleaning products even some of those touting green, natural ingredients may be hiding some seriously toxic chemicals. Unlike the food and beverage industry, manufacturers aren’t legally required to list all of their ingredients on their bottles. Th at means they can not only omit what’s really inside, but misrepresent their product by suggesting their cleaners are all-natural.

A recent study published in the journal of Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health took a look at detergents, air fresheners, and other cleaning goods sold throughout Australia and the United States. The items tested emitted 156 different kinds of organic chemicals. Forty-two of these are classified as toxic by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But how many were actually listed on the labels? Just six.