GREEN CLEANERS - A new and better cleaning technology. But what makes green cleaners green?

WHY GO GREEN: TOXIC INGREDIENTS IN COMMON PRODUCTS

1. Chlorine bleach (irritates the lungs and eyes)

2. Naphthas and mineral spirits

3. Phthalates (found in furniture polish)

4. Ether-type solvents

5. Methylene chloride

6. Butyl cellosolve and petroleum distillates (found in oven cleaning products)

7. Sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide (found in drain cleaning products)

8. Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) (found in detergents and disinfectants, and are suspected hormone disruptors)

9. Ammonia (which is poisonous when swallowed, extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled and can burn the skin on contact)

10. Indiscriminate use of antibacterial cleansers containing triclosan may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs

11. Butyl cellosolve ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant

12. Diethanolamine (DEA) (can combine with nitrosomes to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that penetrate skin)

13. Fragrances may contain phthalates, chemicals linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver cancer in lab animals and to asthma in children

14. Sodium hydroxide (found in drain, metal and oven cleaners; extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn tissues on contact

15. Sodium lauryl sulfate (a common sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin and cause contact dermatitis)