There are so many chemicals in the products we use to ‘clean’ our homes that it’s hard to know where to start. I’ll just touch on a small selection.

Let’s start with VOC’s - volatile organic compounds. 
Every year in the fall, or even sooner, it seems, the humble pumpkin turns into a Cinderella princess that you can’t escape from. It’s everywhere! And much as I love pumpkin, I do abhor anything ‘pumpkin spice’ scented. 
Most scents or fragrances include a complex mixture selected from thousands of different chemicals.  Some may be items used to “clean” the air, including air fresheners, diffusers, plug-ins, air sanitizing spray, scented candles and mists.

What’s the cause of that scent? 

VOCs may hide on product labels under the word “fragrance,” or “parfum,” which are usually made up of a proprietary mix of chemicals numbering sometimes in the thousands. One study found that 134 household products with fragrance emitted potentially harmful and cancer-causing compounds. The study included 12 air fresheners.

There is no requirement to disclose the full list of ingredients despite the fact that they contain allergenic and hazardous chemicals, including some VOCs. 

Flavors are used in foods but also in personal care products like lip balm and mouthwash. Fragrance can be found in other products, like perfumes and body sprays; hair styling products; all-purpose cleaners; disinfectants; and laundry detergents. 

Causing health problems 

VOCs can cause a range of health concerns like eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and vomiting, a loss of coordination, and even damage to the liver, kidney and the central nervous system. Symptoms are worse for people with longer exposures, such as those whose work puts them in frequent or long contact with the chemicals.

Read labels and check brand or retailer websites.

Keep your house clean. Rather than cover up bad smells, do the cleaning needed to get rid of them.

Opening windows to ventilate your house is the best way to refresh and improve indoor air quality. If outdoors is a problem invest in a high quality purifier. 

Use the real thing wherever you can. Anything you get out of a spray can is usually fake.