Q & A - Non Toxic Toilet Cleaner?
Toxic Toilet Cleaners rely on several types of toxic chemicals to keep your commode sparkling.
For obvious reasons disinfectants are used. One of the most
common types of disinfectants found in toilet bowl cleaners are quaternary
ammonium compounds (quats) like Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.
Quats cause asthma and allergies. Some are also endocrine
disruptors and contribute to the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines and formaldehyde.
Fragrance is also used for very obvious reasons. The chemicals used to make
fragrance aren’t disclosed. Common ones are phthalates, limonene, and
pinene. Exposure to fragrance chemicals can cause and exacerbate asthma, cause
migraines, rashes and hives. They also pollute your indoor air.
Glycol ether solvents, used to dissolve things, are also in toxic toilet bowl cleaners. Health effects from exposure include asthma, allergies, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems and low sperm mobility.
Surfactants are the active cleaning agents in toilet bowl
cleaners. Surfactants are usually derived from petrochemicals. Examples are sodium lauryl ether sulfate and nonylphenol ethoxylate. Exposure
to both of these can disrupt your endocrine system.
Chlorine bleach is another toxic ingredient in toilet bowl cleaners. Bleaches like Sodium Hypochlorite are asthmagens, skin irritants, allergens and can affect your nervous system.
Luckily, there are non toxic ways to make your toilet bowl sparkle.
Homemade cleaners are the safest and easiest. Add a cup of vinegar to the bowl and leave as long as possible. Then sprinkle in baking soda and scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Place hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray the entire toilet, including the bowl. Wipe off.
Don't want to make your own? Then give one of these nontoxic options a try.
Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Natural Cleaner