Windex is one of the most used house hold cleaners in the world, but do you know what it can do to plants and even your health?
Windex has been used since 1933 for cleaning up glass and mirrors. Now in our Windex is also used for cleaning on all surfaces. Windex is so popular because it does not leave any streaks.
But have you ever thought of what it can do to your health? Lets start with some background...
In 1933, Harry R. Drackett invented the Windex window cleaner. The original product was a mixture of highly flammable solvents that had to be sold in metal cans. At the end of World War II, surfactants were introduced to the population at large. A surfactant is a compound that can be dissolved in both organic solvents and water, allowing the formula to be 'watered down' during the reformulation.One old Windex formula contained water, isopropyl alcohol (a highly flammable solvent), ethylene glycol (another solvent, not quite as effective), sodium laurel sulfate (a surfactant which attracts dirt, keeping it from re-depositing once removed), and ammonia (a strong base used to dissolve organic compounds- such as grease). This formula was cheap to manufacture and safe to use, allowing the company to switch to the more attractive clear bottles with convenient spray attachments.
This formula was highly flammable and was able to cause large rashes and irritation to the skin and eyes. That is why, later on, a new formula was made, not just for health reasons but also for environmental friendliness.
The new formula is now made for virtually any surface of the home. In order for this to work they had to find new ingredients. These ingredients are: Isopropanol, 2-Butoxyethanol, Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, water, fragrance and blue dye.
Lets look into each of these ingredients.
Isopropanol is a type of alcohol that has been used in Windex for quite some time. This substance is reasonably cheap and is also eco-friendly and non - toxic. Isopropanol is also used because it dries quickly and does not leave streaks or smears.
2-Butoxyethanol is a substance that is most commonly used in paint removers. This substance has a sweet fragrance and is very efficient when it comes to getting rid of grease and scum.
Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether has been part of the Windex formula for quite sometime and is used for dissolving dirt and grim and for keeping it from resettling on the surface
Water is the world wide solvent. Water was one of the most critical items needed for Windex because it made the formula safer and easier to use.
Now back to the harm of Windex. Although MSDS (material safety data sheets) gave Windex a low hazard rating, Windex can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and respiratory system. When it comes in contact with your eyes, wash out immediately. Windex can also cause headaches and migraines as well as dry hands and Asthma. Windex is also poisonous upon digestion so if accidentally digested call Poison Control Center. Long term effects can also include Chronic illness.
Now to the Health of the Environment.
Did you know that the air in your house is up to five times more polluted then the air outside.
Household cleaners have caused the childhood asthma to double in the last 20 years.
Windex is not organic in any way, so if it comes in contact with any plant it is possible to cause harm to the plant
How do you make your life safe and become eco-friendly without getting rid of Windex all together?
Just make sure that you are reasonable with the amount that you use and keep away from reach of children
Windex has been used since 1933 for cleaning up glass and mirrors. Now in our Windex is also used for cleaning on all surfaces. Windex is so popular because it does not leave any streaks.
But have you ever thought of what it can do to your health? Lets start with some background...
In 1933, Harry R. Drackett invented the Windex window cleaner. The original product was a mixture of highly flammable solvents that had to be sold in metal cans. At the end of World War II, surfactants were introduced to the population at large. A surfactant is a compound that can be dissolved in both organic solvents and water, allowing the formula to be 'watered down' during the reformulation.One old Windex formula contained water, isopropyl alcohol (a highly flammable solvent), ethylene glycol (another solvent, not quite as effective), sodium laurel sulfate (a surfactant which attracts dirt, keeping it from re-depositing once removed), and ammonia (a strong base used to dissolve organic compounds- such as grease). This formula was cheap to manufacture and safe to use, allowing the company to switch to the more attractive clear bottles with convenient spray attachments.
This formula was highly flammable and was able to cause large rashes and irritation to the skin and eyes. That is why, later on, a new formula was made, not just for health reasons but also for environmental friendliness.
The new formula is now made for virtually any surface of the home. In order for this to work they had to find new ingredients. These ingredients are: Isopropanol, 2-Butoxyethanol, Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, water, fragrance and blue dye.
Lets look into each of these ingredients.
Isopropanol is a type of alcohol that has been used in Windex for quite some time. This substance is reasonably cheap and is also eco-friendly and non - toxic. Isopropanol is also used because it dries quickly and does not leave streaks or smears.
2-Butoxyethanol is a substance that is most commonly used in paint removers. This substance has a sweet fragrance and is very efficient when it comes to getting rid of grease and scum.
Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether has been part of the Windex formula for quite sometime and is used for dissolving dirt and grim and for keeping it from resettling on the surface
Water is the world wide solvent. Water was one of the most critical items needed for Windex because it made the formula safer and easier to use.
Now back to the harm of Windex. Although MSDS (material safety data sheets) gave Windex a low hazard rating, Windex can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and respiratory system. When it comes in contact with your eyes, wash out immediately. Windex can also cause headaches and migraines as well as dry hands and Asthma. Windex is also poisonous upon digestion so if accidentally digested call Poison Control Center. Long term effects can also include Chronic illness.
Now to the Health of the Environment.
Did you know that the air in your house is up to five times more polluted then the air outside.
Household cleaners have caused the childhood asthma to double in the last 20 years.
Windex is not organic in any way, so if it comes in contact with any plant it is possible to cause harm to the plant
How do you make your life safe and become eco-friendly without getting rid of Windex all together?
Just make sure that you are reasonable with the amount that you use and keep away from reach of children