Household chemical formula

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

For the first time on the Russian market, imported household chemicals appeared in the 90s and … disappointed our customers. Manufacturers racked their brains over the reasons, and demand fell. It turned out that Russian housewives did not trust foreign products, because they did not smell of chlorine, which was automatically equated to poor cleaning characteristics! I had to add special fragrances that mimic the familiar smell. Of course, a lot has changed since then. Modern women are well versed in a wide variety of cleaning and cleaning fluids. But how well do we understand what is hidden under the caps with beautiful labels?

Dishwashing liquids

Composition:

Surfactant, polypropylene glycol, sodium chloride, organic solvent, sodium hydroxide, preservative, propylene glycol, dyes, perfume.

Which of these is the most harmful?

Surfactants - surfactants. They are found in three versions: anionic, cationic and nonionic. The first species is the most dangerous. Its amount in dish cleaning products should not exceed 2-5%. Active substances that help to cope with dirt, in addition to their advantages, have many disadvantages and cause: disturbances in the functioning of the immune system, allergic reactions, diseases of the kidneys, lungs and liver. And most importantly, surfactants can accumulate in the body, leading to poisoning.

How to apply correctly?

Firstly, experts recommend applying the product not to a dirty surface, but to a sponge. Secondly, repeated rinsing of dishes will reduce the likelihood of harmful substances entering the body.

Experts recommend applying the product not to a dirty surface, but to a sponge.

Powders for washing

Composition:

Surfactants, oxygenated bleach, phosphates, EDTA and its salts, polycarboxylates, optical brighteners, enzymes, aromatic additives.

Which of these is the most harmful?

Phosphates are salts and esters of phosphoric acids. The use of these chemicals is prohibited in most countries in the world. The Swiss, Germans, Italians and Norwegians use phosphate-free powders for washing their clothes. The Belgian market for cleaning products is 80% free of harmful compounds, Swedish and Finnish - 40%, French - 30%. The Japanese are completely ahead of the rest, they assessed the possible risks back in 1986 and do not use phosphates in the production of cleaning products to this day. What are the world powers so afraid of? Cyanobacterial toxins promote the activation and development of cancer cells! In addition, through the sewage system, phosphates enter back into water bodies, and contaminated drinking water can cause poisoning, tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, miscarriages in pregnant women and the development of pathologies in newborns.

How to apply correctly?

Before buying, read the label carefully, try to choose products that do not contain harmful substances. Take precautions when in contact with powder - with hand washing, harmful substances can enter the body through the pores, and with washing machines - through the respiratory system. Try to rinse your laundry thoroughly. Tests have shown that even tenfold "rinsing" of cleaning agents from contaminated surfaces does not guarantee complete cleansing of harmful compounds. Some part of the substances somehow gets on the human skin during subsequent contact.

Some part of the substances, one way or another, gets on the human skin during subsequent contact.

Bath and Sink Cleaners

Composition:

water, sodium hypochlorite, surfactant, stabilizer, dye

What is harmful?

In addition to the above-described surfactants, the composition of bleaching cleaning agents includes sodium hypochlorite - a strong oxidizing agent containing 95.2% of active chlorine. And the latter is very dangerous. Even in small concentrations, it irritates the respiratory tract and the mucous membrane of the eyes. Chlorine has a negative effect on the skin, hair, and increases the risk of developing cancer. In addition, it often causes problems in the cardiovascular system, and in high concentrations it can cause burns of the lung tissue and suffocation.

How to apply?

Powders and liquids containing chlorine should be used with protective equipment: gloves, respirators. Try to keep your cleaning time to a minimum. Be sure to ventilate the apartment after cleaning.

Gels for cleaning mirrors and glasses

Composition:

isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol ethers, surfactants, aqueous ammonia, propylene glycol, perfume, dyes.

What is harmful?

Ammonia is a good solvent for a very large number of organic as well as many inorganic compounds. But! Ammonia vapors can cause eye pain, watery eyes, coughing fits, and allergic skin reactions. And at high concentration, dizziness, nausea and breathing difficulties are possible. Products containing ammonia should be used with caution, as it can burn the cornea if it gets into the eyes. In addition, statistics confirm that compounds with chlorine and ammonia are the most common cause of poisoning with household chemicals.

How to apply?

Do not inhale vapors during cleaning, using appropriate protective equipment whenever possible. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Now that we have figured out the "periodic table" offered to us by manufacturers of household chemicals, we can safely update the arsenal of cleaning products. Just remember to read the labels! And if you come across surfactants, formaldehyde, chlorine, cresol, ammonium, phenol, diazinon, phosphorus, phosphates, or isopropyl alcohol, look for an alternative. After all, the main advantage of the market is the presence of competition. So you will always find a bona fide manufacturer who will offer you safe powders, gels, solutions and pastes. Well, if you decide to be 100% safe, you can always go back to the tried and tested old recipes: soda for cleaning sinks and bathtubs, lemon juice and table salt for removing stains and vinegar for removing limescale.