By Juan Padilla / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

What is the price of a clean healthcare facility? You may believe it’s simply the time and effort spent making every room and space spotless. However, there may be a hidden cost as well.

Using certain cleansers that you pick up at the store can come with health risks. That’s because these cleaning products often contain toxic chemicals. Chronic exposure to these can cause a variety of issues, from eye irritation to cancer. For example, majority of bleach-based cleansers contain chlorine, which can irritate skin and mucous membranes.

While some air fresheners are made with formaldehyde, which has been connected to brain damage and carcinogenic effects.

Fortunately, there are healthy alternatives to help you avoid these hazards. Most green cleaning products are made with all-natural ingredients that don’t pose the same threats to your health.

In many instances, you may be able to substitute simpler, safer cleansers made from items you already have on hand. For example, you can use a baking soda paste to clean your oven and not be exposed to the caustic lye found in most oven cleaners, for example.

See the accompanying checklist for more tips on avoiding the health risks associated with cleaning products.

Juan Padilla is the founder of Spotless Cleaning Chicago, a commercial and office cleaning company.

Infographic created by Spotless Cleaning Chicago