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| CHRISTINA TAYLOR / Scroll |
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Clean checks are a fact of BYU-Idaho college life. One day a week, or every two weeks, students pull out the cleaners and scrub the dirt and grime away in order to continue living in BYU-I approved housing.
While cleaners may get rid of dirt and grime, not all the effects of cleaners are good, especially effects on the body. Here are some little known facts about the cleaners that are meant to keep our environment clean and healthy:
All-purpose cleaner
Some all-purpose cleaners contain the chemical butyl cellosolve, which, through high exposure, can cause blood and bone marrow damage. Exposure can occur through skin contact, inhalation of vapors or drinking it, according to Sierra magazine.
Glass cleaners
Glass cleaners, in some cases, contain ammonia, which irritates the eyes and lungs. More commonly, they contain butyl cellosolve and methanol, which can cause blindness if ingested. For a glass cleaner alternative, mix water and vinegar or lemon juice together (in equal amounts), according to Sierra magazine.
Furniture polish
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, furniture polish may contain chemicals that irritate the skin, eyes, throat, lungs and windpipe. The agency advises to “make sure there is good air circulation in the room in which you use these products; that is, have a window fully open.”
Drain openers
This is one of the most dangerous cleaners in the house because it contains lye and sulfuric acid. Risks from these ingredients include burns, scarring and blindness. A drain cleaner alternative is to “pack the drain with one-fourth cup of baking soda and then add one-half cup of vinegar. Plug drain and let mixture bubble like a volcano for 15 minutes. Then flush with hot water,” according to Sierra magazine.
Dish cleaners
The cleaner meant to clean the dishes can leave chlorine bleach residue, which irritates the eyes and lungs. The phosphates in the detergent can also create algae blooms in the water that go down the drain into the sewage system. These algae blooms can then infect water supplies through absorption in the soil. As an alternative, look for detergents that are free of phosphates or chlorine.
Bathroom cleaners
People can avoid using cleaners that contain unnecessary chemicals. For an alternative, use the natural approach of baking soda (for scrubbing) and white vinegar or lemon juice for cleaning and deodorizing, according to Sierra magazine.
