Spring cleaning detergents make you sick

Spring cleaning: a lot of chemistry and exaggerated hygiene can also make you sick

16.03.2012

In many households in Germany, the spring cleaning is on: Then it means cleaning the windows, cleaning cabinets, remove the carpet from the dust and wipe floors. But the thoroughness of some people often knows no boundaries when cleaning. The Federal Environment Agency and experts of the consumer centers therefore advise caution: Aggressive cleaning products not only harm the bacteria and germs but possibly also their own health. The consequences include skin reactions, allergies and burns of the mucous membranes. In addition, chemical detergents excessively pollute the environment.

Most chemical cleaners are unnecessary
The manufacturers advertise with the „Power of the cleaning agent“, to fight bacteria, germs and fungi. But chemical cleaning agents do not necessarily mean more hygiene or health protection. According to recent studies, the Germans use around 78,000 tons of universal cleaners per year and about 29,000 tons of abrasives per year to clean their own homes. However, most chemical nuggets are completely unnecessary, as reported by the Federal Environmental Agency. Because to clean your own four walls, in principle, four funds.

Simple home remedies, scouring and rinsing agents are sufficient
A neutral cleaner is enough for the floors, tiles and other smooth surfaces. Scouring agent is suitable for stubbornly sitting dirt, washing up liquid is sufficient for window cleaning and household vinegar or natural citric acid are suitable for the removal of lime. Stains on upholstered furniture or carpets can be best removed with soap foam or lukewarm fine detergent solution. Consumers should take care to ensure that the product offered is labeled with the "European Ecolabel" issued by the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labeling (RAL). The "European Ecolabel" identifies products that are distinguished by their particular environmental compatibility and relatively low health impact.

Health hazards due to chemicals
Numerous cleaning products advertise that they are supposedly with „antibacterial additives for more purity“. In the opinion of consumer advocates, however, such additions are completely superfluous. Disinfectants and antibacterial cleaners also destroy valuable bacteria of the skin flora. Recent years' studies indicate that excessive use of these agents has led to an increase in allergies. In addition, the chemical substances can cause eczema and allergic skin reactions as the body's immune defenses are damaged. Is the body's immune system weakened, „it is even more possible for diseases to develop“, warn the experts. In addition, some disinfectants may alter the genome or even promote the development of cancer. Also, there are already several research papers that point to this. Although the advertising suggests that cleaners with antimicrobial additives provide more hygiene, their actual effectiveness has not been proven to date.

Many disinfectant cleansers on the market contain chemicals that can be dangerous to the human body. For example, triclosan is absorbed through the skin on contact and interferes with the liver detoxification process. Another substance that can be dangerous to health is sodium hypochlorite. This is contained in many remedies can release chlorine. Through contact, the skin can be irritated and by inhaling the mucous membranes are damaged.

Do not mix cleaning agents
These types of cleaners should never be mixed with other cleansers, as chemical reactions can lead to serious poisoning. In addition, disinfectants are extremely harmful to the environment, because organisms are killed in the water, the cleaning of water in sewage treatment plants is disturbed.

Exaggerated hygiene harmful to children
An overly operated hygiene is also meaningful, if children live in the household. On the contrary: If a clinical atmosphere prevails, children can not exercise their immune system. Germs with which children otherwise come into contact in the home are therefore sensible, because only then does the immune system learn how to proceed in the future to prevent serious illnesses.

Therefore, a little more effort with vinegar cleaners is worthwhile to save on cleaning chemistry. The only condition: cleaning utensils such as wipers or cloths should be changed frequently. Alternatively, cleaning cloths can also be boiled out, so that pathogens have no chance.

For motivation, the Federal Environment Agency invites you to fitness. Handling without chemistry usually means using more force. A person with an average body weight consumes about 80 kilocalories when cleaning the windows, if the cleaning takes a good 15 minutes. Another 15 minutes of dusty fever causes a consumption of more than 40 kilocalories. When wiping the floors or cleaning the tiles, another 74 calories are added. (Sb)

Also read:
Corrosive decalcifiers irritate mucous membranes
Antibiotic resistance is on the rise
Poisoning a significant threat to children

Picture: "halmackenreuter"