Choosing organic produceis important, but so is making sure that the dishes you use to cook and eat aren’t washed in toxic chemicals. Here are some common bad guys to avoid and why you should give them the boot from your kitchen.
8 Toxic Chemicals In Conventional Dish Soap
Let’s face it, doing the dishes is a part of daily life and while that may be the case, exposure to some very common and toxic chemicals shouldn’t be. When was the last time you looked at the ingredients in your dish detergent? Can you not only pronounce, but understand what each one of them is and does? Odds are you’re like me and can maybe pronounce half of them, but that’s as far as I get. To help you live a greener and healthier lifestyle we’ve come up with a list of eight ingredients (aka chemicals) you should avoid in your dish detergents.
1. Phosphates
These are often used as a water-softening mineral and act as a fertilizer in water and are hazardous to consume for both ourselves and marine life. If concentrations of this type of chemical are too high in water, they can deplete oxygen levels and promote the growth of certain algae which are toxic to consume. Try switching to a brand that is phosphate free to avoid inadvertently raising the level of this chemical in our water supply.
2. Triclosan
This type of synthetic chemical is often added to dish detergents due to its antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. This is the chemical that often qualifies a cleaner as “antibacterial”.
However, this chemical is hazardous to our hormones and disrupts our body’s natural thyroid and endocrin systems. This chemical is also often attributed to the growth of “superbugs” since it bioaccumulates in the human body.
3. SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)/SLES (sodium laureth sulfate)
This type of chemical is what gives your dish detergent its foamy property and allows it to cut through grease. While the bubbles are nice to see, they aren’t nice to absorb. This chemical absorbs through your skin and can lead to 1,4-dioxane contamination. It’s also been known to cause rashes and allergic reactions.
4. Fragrance
任何一种香料混合物都可能含有多达3000种化学物质。随着时间的推移,它们会附着在盘子、叉子、杯子等上,最终被摄入人体。我们建议使用天然精油散发香味的洗洁精。
5. DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine)
These chemicals have been found to disrupt hormones in the human body and are known for creating nitrates and nitrosamines. There is also a risk of developing 1,4-dioxane contamination if you’re regularly exposed to these types of chemicals.
6. Chlorine
Also known as sodium dichloroisocyanurate,this chemical has ben listed on both the EPA’s Community Right-To-Know list and the 1990 Clean Air Act. It is extremely toxic to fish and releases chlorine into the air when it’s being used to clean your dishes.
7. Formaldehyde
This chemical is a known carcinogen and might appear on your detergent label as methanol, methyl aldehyde and methylene oxide. It’s added to detergents along with preservatives so that overtime it is slowly released as a preventative to bacterial contamination. However, concentrations of this chemical are toxic within the human body.
8. Ammonia
This chemical is extremely toxic and should be avoided. Many people aren’t aware that ammonia, even if in “trace” amounts, is present in their dish detergents. If combined with bleach to create a cleaning solution, the two will release fumes that can cause damage to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.
So, if you’re convinced that your current dish detergent just won’t work for you anymore, try switching tothis at home recipe. You can also avoid adding chemicals to the water system by using thisnatural drain cleaneror skip the chemicals all together byusing a sink plunger!
Syndicated with permission fromGreen Living Ideas.
Image:Washing Dishesphoto via Shutterstock
Ned Hamsonsays
This why I break all the “rules” and soak this to be washed, then run the water as hot as I can stand it – and use my hands to clean the bowl or dish – but I don’t fry, or broil, or bake anything.
Aung Htet Oosays
Please kindly suggest me how to make dishwashing liquid for commercial sales.
Mike Jsays
这是一篇善意的文章,但不幸的是,它加剧了当前对化学物质的诽谤,导致了化学恐惧症。作者在化学上犯了几个错误(例如,甲醇在任何方式、形状或形式上都不是甲醛)。虽然我同意氨和漂白剂作为浓缩溶液混合是有害的,但微量的也不是有害的……事实上,氯胺(这两种化学物质之间形成的产物)实际上是水净化的一种重要化学物质!最后,与自制肥皂的联系导致人们使用硼酸,而硼酸也是有毒的。So you are simply swapping one toxin for another!
So, my advice to any reader of this article and related articles is to always remember…moderation in all things! Small exposures of most chemicals are harmless, unless you have a peculiar allergy to one.
Lina F. lasatsays
Hello !
Good morning!
May I request SDS of Dazz Liquid soap for our reference,
Thank you,
Lina F.Lasat