[JustineH (OP)]

http://healthychild.org/resources/article/fragrances_in_cleaning_products_fabric_softeners_and_laundry_detergents/ [nofollow]

Household cleaners are often scented so that cleaning seems more effective and enjoyable. But what's in that "clean" smell?

  TOXIC CHEMICALS....

I for one now buy eco-friendly cleaning products.  I cannot tolerate the toxic smell of most detergents and cleaning products today. 

[Karen W.]

I like my Fabric softner..Hee hee and my detergent ... LOL But am aware of the contents as My husband had to be careful with the soap we used most all broke him out... the detergent did not and neither the softner so we stuck to that there was one called spring fresh scent that really got him I believe it was the different fragrance as when we switched back he was fine!

Thanks Justine...All corrected! LOL

[JustineH (OP)]

Just to be humorous, P&G thanks you very much.   []
It's whatever works and for me it's not the named brands anymore.

[Bored chemist]

"While these scents may seem natural, in most cases they are created using complex blends of chemicals..."
They usually contain fewer chemicals than the natural varitey

"...that can cause health effects."
Water can cause health effects; thier statement doesn't mean anything.

 "During use, fragrance and other chemicals can "volatize," or become airborne and are easily inhaled."
That's just plain funny. How else could something be a scent if it didn't get inhaled?

"Limonene, a lemon or orange scent used in many cleaning products, as well as other aromatic compounds found in pine and other essential oils can cause difficulty breathing"
Yes, in a tiny minority it can. These people are also affected by the limonene that occurs naturally in oranges and lemons.
People seem to forget that nature got there first.

"Solvents used in cleaners, such as ethanol and styrene, can cause headaches, fatigue and dizziness. Styrene is a possible human carcinogen. "
OK for those who don't know it, alcohol can cause headaches; most of us call these hangovers.
I have never seen any cleaner that contains styrene. It would be an odd choice as it is relatively expensive and tends to react with itself producing polystyrene (a plastic). Since styrene has a characteristic strong smell I would have noticed it in any cleaner I had used or that anyone had used near me.


Once again I see that someone has written an ill informed and biased website saying "man made chemicals are bad" without noticing that most of the most toxic chemicals known are natural.
The regulatory authorities would have difficulties prohibiting some chemicals from use as fragrances in cleaning products given that the same chemicals occur naturally in food.

[JustineH (OP)]

"Once again I see that someone has written an ill informed and biased website saying "man made chemicals are bad" without noticing that most of the most toxic chemicals known are natural.
The regulatory authorities would have difficulties prohibiting some chemicals from use as fragrances in cleaning products given that the same chemicals occur naturally in food."

Then why don't they label the ingredient saying it's synthetic; it's an EO; it's an FO; a flavored oil, and not hide behind something called "fragrance" or "spice".  And I don't care if I'm in the minority.  You pay my ER bills because I've used a toxic shampoo or eaten a toxic chemical (flavored oils) in foods WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN LABELED!  This is marketing trickery and you know it!

I'll send you my bills next time I have an allergic reaction and go to the ER. 

[Bored chemist]

On the whole, I agree that more extensive labeling would be better. (I'm also perfectly certain that most people would never read the labels and fewer yet would understand them.)


Exactly what chemicals would you like listed?
I believe someone analysed a baked potato and found over 300 natural components, many of which couldn't be identified.
Since some natural components of plants are rather variable it wouldn't always solve the problem even if the plant used for the flavour were listed.
You might find that you are perfectly tollerant of lemon oil- except sometimes when, for example a drought or insect attack, has altered the composition of that oil.

If you bought products flavoured with synthetic (and therefore relatively pure and consistent) limonene you would always be OK.

On the other hand most customers wouldn't want to buy something explicitly labeled as synthetic.

[JustineH (OP)]

Since you're bored skim thru these.

[size=07pt]( Justine I have removed these advertising links as we cannot use the forum to addvertise such things you may however give the links to an individual who may inquire after that information. Please keep it in a pm and only if asked. Thanks,  Karen)
[/size]
And you tell me why all the trickery from marketing?  This is lying about their products through their teeth.  This is being negligent with people's health. (babies & mine) This is purposely causing ill health due to greed. 

Why doesn't the FDA stop this? You've been reading about all the chemicals in baby's toys etc. and recalls.  There is no more quality control in making our products.


 

[Bored chemist]

The first one advertised this

****************************************************************
(EDIT The site was removed because it was considered advertising. It advertised an article in which the vital question about whether or not some celebrity had got another celebrity pregnant was asked. I didn't see this as an indicator of scientific excellence.)
Will you understand if I don't take it all together seriously?

The second one asked me to send them my email address (and promised not to spam me)

OK, I may not know all the marketing tricks but I'm not prepared to believe that.
Anyway, the page then crashed so I'm afraid I can't comment on it.

The third page came up blank.



Marketing sucks- there's little to choose between many products and we don't need many of them.
 Fair enough but, so far as it's science it's psychology rather than chemistry.


"This is being negligent with people's health. (babies & mine) This is purposely causing ill health due to greed.  "
Which do you mean?
Is it deliberate or is it negligent?
If they set out to harm paople (which I doubt- dead customers don't come back) then it's not negligence.

Just what lies are they telling? If they are really saying things that are false then they will get sued, not to mention prosecuted for fraud.

[techmind]

I don't like smelling overt or artificial* perfumes in anything. (*artificial as in not the real smell of a functional/active ingredient in the product)
I don't mind the natural/inevitable smells of waxes and polishes. And I quite like creosote on a recently-treated outdoor fence (occasionally, and in moderation!).

It's interesting that some washing powders seem to be designed to have a persistant fragence while others have much less. One of my housemates loves the potent "clean" smell of his washing after using a red-box powder (I think he's crazy!).
"Air fresheners" would be banned if I had my way! But not because of any conspiracy-theory. If the air is stuffy or smelly then open a window and/or get rid of whatever is making the offensive smell in the first place.  []

[Karen W.]

Yes lots of fresh air and several bunches of bundled lavender ....emmmmm I love that best of all. some essential oils in various spots are good too!