By Maureen Erikson

Published 6.1.11

Look in your closets. What kind of cleaning supplies are you stocking for your home? Are they safe? Most common household cleaners are full of chemicals that, although may seem to clean, are actually pumping more toxins into your house.

Many common household disinfectants contain something called ‘phenol’ or carbolic acid. This acid can attack the central nervous system, liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. Others contain ammonia and lye which literally can eat away at your skin. Household cleaning substances are the third highest exposure reported to Poison Control Centers nationwide in the U.S.; the second highest among young children.

Not only are the cleaning supplies you use affecting your home and family, but they are also affecting the environment. One of the biggest causes of ocean pollution is phosphates, commonly found in laundry detergents and cleaning products. The average American uses about 30 pounds of laundry detergent a year; this adds up to around 8.3 billion pounds of dry detergent and a billion gallons of liquid detergent each year! High phosphate levels can kill plants and animals in rivers, streams and oceans by causing algae blooms. Algae growths dense enough to suffocate ocean life have been increasing around the world, especially in coastal regions. They are largely fed by fertilizing pollutants in human sewage and farm runoff.

With the understanding that we want to keep our families and our earth safe and healthy, we are excited this month to launch the new branding of the Boulder 100% Natural Household Cleaners. These all-natural, super strong, and great smelling cleaners are just what your house has been asking for.
This new line includes:

100% Natural Laundry Detergent
This plant-based detergent is made with natural orange oil. The process of making orange oil involves extracting the oil from orange rinds. This extract oil acts as a solvent, disinfecting and cleaning your favorite t-shirts. It smells wonderful, and the scent can have a cheerful and calming aromatherapy effect as well.

Find out how they make this delicious smell here.

Orange Dishwashing Liquid
This veggie-based dishsoap is great for removing the toughest grease and stains from those pots and pans. So cook and clean away, knowing that the soap you are using is biodegradable and paraben-free!

Apple Dishwashing Liquid
Packed full of Aloe Vera, this soap does so much! Not only is it easy on your skin, but it also has tons of anti-microbial effects, helping to fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast, keeping you and your family clean and healthy.

Granite and Stainless Cleaner
This great kitchen cleaner is made with water-soluble, bio-degradable polymers. This makes it safe to clean with, and send down your drains. Plus, with the added Mulberry Oil, your kitchen will smell delicious, even if you aren’t cooking!

100% Natural Bathroom Cleaner
This great cleaner is non-toxic. Using organic salt, it cuts right through the scum and grease, giving your tile and tub the cleaning it deserves!

100% Natural Coconut Hand and Body Soap
This hand and body soap is popular on ecoellies.com. The Coconut Oil used in this soap is extremely moisturizing, and the scent is calming, as if you were going on a mini-tropical vacation…

So get out those rubber gloves and sponges, and feel good knowing that not only are you keeping your house clean, but you are keeping the ones you love healthy, and the earth a safer place to live.