The troubling thing is that in the U.S., companies aren't required to disclose these ingredients and byproducts on labels. In summary, experts recommend using caution around the following ingredients and byproducts:
Geller adds sodium hypochlorite (aka bleach), hydrochloric acid, boric acid, borates, and VOCs to 'avoid' list. Molecular toxicologist Rhea Mehta, Ph.D., recommends going with products that don't contain 1,4-dioxanes, ethylene oxides, ammonium chlorides, and fragrances, as they have all been associated with health conditions such as skin irritation and respiratory issues. When choosing a cleaning product, the more important thing to look for is the ingredient list.
The only term on a label that really carries weight is organic, as long as it's backed up by the USDA seal. The same goes for descriptors like eco-friendly, plant-based, green, chemical-free-you get the picture.
'The term can be misleading, as 'natural' products often contain plenty of hazardous chemicals and undisclosed ingredients,' Samara Geller, a senior research and database analyst for the environmental watchdog group Environmental Working Group (EWG), tells mindbodygreen. While a term like natural might look appealing on a label, it doesn't actually say much about a cleaning product's quality.
