Natural ingredients and home-made products are easy to source, cheap to buy, and can clean the kitchen in the same time as the commercial products on the market. The kitchen is a place where food is prepared and eaten, so of course, keeping the kitchen clean is a priority. However, the use of harsh chemicals is not necessary to clean the kitchen, and their benefits are often out-weighed by the health risks.

Dangerous chemicals are found throughout most kitchen cleaning products such as bleach, disinfectant, floor and glass cleaners and detergents, which are unnecessary can cause a number of health problems.

Ammonia is one of the most common of chemicals, usually found in glass cleaners. Particularly dangerous to combine with other chemicals, ammonia causes lung problems, headaches and is an eye irritant. Another common chemical, formaldehyde acts as a preservative in many cleaning products. As well as being a strong irritant to the respiratory system (particularly the throat) and the eyes and skin, formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen.

Disinfectants often contain the chemicals phenol and cresol. These are corrosive chemicals and cause dizziness, fainting and diarrhoea, but more seriously, can cause considerable damage to the kidneys and liver.

Metal polishes often have amounts of petroleum distillates, which cause temporary problems such as eye clouding, but also associated with long-term exposure are more detrimental longterm effects to the nervous system, kidney, skin, and eyes.

Respiratory problems are also caused by a chemical called sodium hypochlorite, found in chlorine bleach. When mixed with ammonia, a toxic gas is released. Short-term exposure can be the cause of mild asthmatic symptoms, but more serious probelms can develop.

Nitrobenzene, found in floor and furniture polishes is associated with more severe health problems. Mild problems include skin discolouration, vomiting and breathing problems, but nitrobenzene also causes cancer and has been linked to birth defects.

Considering the effects of these chemicals, there are many safe, natural alternatives (such as vinegar, baking soda and beeswax) which do the job just as well. By removing chemical products from your cleaning cupboard, you will notice a change in your home environment, feel more energetic, and will have also improved you and your family's health.