Cleaning Products

Detergents, household cleansers, soaps, and other products are used for cleansing in homes or businesses. Cleansing products numbering in the thousands are found in average homes, including products for specific tasks in kitchens, washing machines, bathrooms, tile surfaces, on carpets, on glass, floor strippers, floor cleansers, drain cleaners, stainless steel cleansers, and other uses such as deodorizers and disinfectants. The chemicals used range from natural agents to synthetics.

Cleansers that are made from chemicals have an environmental impact in three ways. The manufacture of these cleansers, which usually contain hazardous chemicals, affects the environment of their place of origin. When they are used, the hazardous chemicals are released into the atmosphere. They may affect breathing or may drift away into the atmospheres. The disposal of the ...