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The Kitchen Table

Low-fragrance liquid cleaners

13 years ago

Can anyone recommend a liquid cleaner for general use that doesn't have a strong scent. My son and I are both very sensitive to strong scents; they cause sneezing and runny noses for both of us and ultimately, a headache.

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Comments (5)

sushipup1
13 years ago
409 isn't strong. Funny that it's not in the general cleaning section but in the automotive section at Target. I get the concentrated and fill my own bottles, mixed with water.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
Unless 409 has changed a whole lot in the past few years, I think that it's very strongly scented.

You might want to consider "fragrance free " cleaners. Such products are truly free of the chemicals that create scents AND cause illness. Do not mistake products labeled "unscented " for fragrance free. The labeling is very specific....."unscented " things use masking chemicals to COVER a scent. Febreze uses masking chemicals. Those chemicals can be as toxic as the smelly fragrances themselves.

I've used any number of fragrance free cleaners and don't have a favorite. Does vinegar bother you? (It doesn't me.) You can find fragrance free cleaners, shampoos, body soaps etc., everywhere these days.

Remember, it's the chemicals that bother you and your son, and millions of others. "Fragrance free " is the way to go.
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I also use All Free & Clear, and distilled white vinegar in the rinse. No fabric softeners, no fabric softener sheets. For personal products, you might want to check out Paula's Choice products. All these products (hair care, skin care, makeup) are fragrance free. They offer an All Over Hair and Body Shampoo that I've used. I also use the fragrance free sunscreens (no perfume stench!), body lotions, and other skin care products. Don't be taken in by products labeled "Unscented" which means that the product does include fragrance that has a neutral scent. You want Fragrance Free products. Another thing to watch for is fragrance free products that contain other ingredients that can be irritating to the skin - peppermint oil, for example, which is indeed natural, but can irritate the skin, and the manufacturer doesn't "count" that as scent. Check Paula Begoun's books out of the library. Very informative evaluation of hundreds of personal care products by ingredients with a special emphasis on ingredients that are known to irritate skin. Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 6th Edition Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me, 3rd Edition She has a good price for the books on her website, but I'd check them out of the library first to see if these are resource books you think you might need to own. CMC Here is a link that might be useful: Paula's Choice skin care and personal care
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Please remember that "fragrance free " and "unscented " mean different things as far as labeling goes. If you are truly allergic or sensitive to chemicals, it is very important to know the difference. "Fragrance Free " products do not have added scent chemicals, period. They are also free of ingredients that have an unpleasant smell. "Unscented " things have chemicals added to them to MASK unpleasant odors. The most common of these masking chemicals is a known endochrin system (hormone) disrupter. Unscented products can make sensitive people sick. Febreze, for example, which is loaded with scents AND chemical odor maskers, is outright dangerous for a certain population to which I belong. :-( I am talking about the terminology on the labels. "Fragrance Free " is the way to go in order to avoid truly toxic chemicals. I've developed a serious chemical sensitivity, so have learned a fair amount about the worst household and workplace culprits. It's horrifying what we are exposed to on a daily basis.
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arkansas girl
13 years ago
Not a liquid cleaner, but a good cleaner none the less is the magic eraser sponge! This thing always amazes me(and does not smell). Yesterday I spilled candle wax all over the stove top and after scraping off the dry, I was left with candle residue all over the place...the MES took it right off! Then I used it for good measure, to clean my vent a hood. The greasy dust just slid right off like...MAGIC! ;)
tami_ohio
13 years ago
I use white vinegar for a lot of things. Google uses for white vinegar and you get bunches! I use vinegar and baking soda to clean my toilets. Vinegar and water in a spray bottle is great to clean counters ect. And it's lots cheaper than commercial cleaners.

Tami
kittiemom
13 years ago
I'm fairly sensitive to fragrances too. A lot of cleaning products, perfumes, etc. give me headaches. I switched to more natural products without the chemicals & strong fragrances & do much better with that. The Method brand that they sell at Target has some light scents. I like the pink grapefruit. I also like the JR Watkins cleaners, also at Target. They are natural & have a light scent. I love the lemon one. It seems for me that citrus scents work better with regard to not giving me a headache & other problems. I find flower scents like magnolia, etc. too overpowering. Seventh Generation has a fragrance free one that works well.

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