Cleaning Shouldn’t Come at a Cost to Your Health or the Environment
We all want clean homes and workplaces. But what if the products we use to clean are adding harsh chemicals to our air?
Many household and office cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can affect well-being and pollute the environment. From fumes that irritate your lungs to chemicals that linger in the air and water, the effects are more serious than most people realize. Here’s what you need to know, and how to make better choices.
The Health Risks of Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
Many common cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause:
-
Respiratory problems: Frequent exposure has been linked to long-term lung damage. A 20-year study found that regular use of cleaning sprays can affect lung function as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
-
Skin and eye irritation: Bleach, ammonia, and other harsh ingredients can cause burns, rashes, and severe eye damage.
-
Endocrine disruption: Chemicals like phthalates (found in fragranced cleaners) interfere with hormones and have been linked to fertility issues.
The Environmental Damage of Harsh Cleaners
After we clean, where do those chemicals go? The answer: into our air, water, and soil.
-
Indoor air pollution: Harsh cleaners release substances that linger in enclosed spaces, leading to reduced air quality at home and in offices.
-
Impact on Waterways: Cleaning products washed down the drain can end up in rivers and oceans, affecting aquatic life.
-
Soil damage: Some chemicals do not break down easily, leading to long-term presence in soil and water sources.
-
Climate impact: Manufacturing and using petroleum-based cleaning agents contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
What Are the Worst Offenders?
Some of the most common harmful cleaning chemicals include:
-
Ammonia: Found in glass and oven cleaners, it can cause lung irritation and severe eye damage.
-
Chlorine bleach: Common in whitening agents, it has been linked to respiratory issues and can produce strong fumes when mixed with other cleaners.
-
Phthalates: Found in scented cleaning products, they can affect hormones.
-
Phosphates: Once common in detergents, they are a major cause of water pollution and algal blooms.
How to Clean Smarter, Without Unnecessary Risks
The good news? You don’t need harsh chemicals to get a deep clean. There are bleach-free alternatives that work just as well without the harsh fumes.
CG Chemicals is veteran-owned and makes its cleaners in Elkhart, Indiana. Our products are:
- No harsh solvent fumes, and low odor.
- Made with US-sourced ingredients.
- Made with no bleach or ammonia.
- Highly effective on dirt and grease.
Make the Switch to a Bleach-Free Clean Today
If you are still using conventional cleaners, it is time to rethink what “clean” truly means. Switch to CG Chemicals’ cleaning solutions and experience a better way to clean.
Shop now or contact us to learn more about our cleaning products!
Sources: American Lung Association, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Two formulas. Serious range.
Use Surgical Strike for stains and odor, then New-Clear Blast to clean, shield and preserve hard surfaces.



