15 Household Cleaning Products from the ’70s That Would Be Banned Today
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In the 1970s, the world was known for bright colours, shag carpets, and ways to clean that were more like a mad scientist’s lab, rather than a household chore. Safe wasn’t exactly safe like we think of it today. But people were all about getting things to sparkle and shine, and not really thinking about what might be lurking in those cleaners. Looking back, some of those popular products would have been better suited to a science experiment than a family home.
Here’s a blast from the past: each one a relic that’s probably better off as a memory than as a staple in modern households.
Phenol Disinfectants
In the ’70s, phenol based disinfectants were common, and hospital grade products were popular because of that. Phenol is toxic, and repeated exposure is harmful to skin and causes respiratory problems. This ingredient has been avoided by modern disinfectants in favor of gentler, equally effective alternatives.
Bleach and Vinegar Mixes
Once, people believed that you could make hard stains disappear by mixing bleach and vinegar. But when you combine these two, you get toxic chlorine gas. It can irritate the lungs and prolonged exposure is lethal. It’s not a commercial product, but it’s a cleaning practice people did in the ’70s. Today, we know better than to be home chemists with such powerful chemicals.
Laundry Detergents Heavy in Phosphate
Laundry detergents had always included phosphates for cleaning power. But they helped cause algae blooms in waterways, killing aquatic life. Eventually, environmental concerns got the better of things, and phosphates were phased out. But today’s eco-friendly detergents are much kinder to our lakes and rivers and our consciences.
Naphthalene Mothballs
Clothes were protected from pests with moths balls containing naphthalene, but at the cost of very serious health risks. Regular inhalation of naphthalene can be dizziness, nausea and respiratory issue. Naphthalene is no longer considered safe for use in a home, and modern moth repellent is using safer alternatives.
Window Cleaners With Ethylene Glycol
Window cleaners sometimes included ethylene glycol, the stuff that goes in antifreeze, for its streak prevention powers. Ethylene glycol is toxic and lethal if ingested. Today, it’s banned from most household products, in part because it was a risk to children and pets who might unknowingly ingest it.
Lead-Based Polishes
You wouldn’t believe it, but lead was once a common ingredient in polishing products. Lead based polishes were loved because they would make metals shine, but lead is a serious health hazard, especially for children. According to WHO, lead poisoning can be long lasting and affect a person’s cognitive abilities as well as their physical development. And it’s no wonder that it is now banned in household products.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners With Chlorine
Chlorinated cleaners were once all the rage for sparkling white toilet. The chlorine in them was high enough to work for whitening, but it also made strong fumes that could irritate the eyes and respiratory system. In the ’70s, that was a norm: breathing in those fumes every time you cleaned the toilet. Today, the focus is on less aggressive formulas that are safer on the cleaner, as well as on the environment.
Ammonia-Based Glass Cleaners
The sharp smell of ammonia! In the ’70s glass cleaners featured ammonia because it could cut through grease and fingerprints. It also cut through your nasal passages and burned in your eyes. According to the New York State Department of Health, breathing in ammonia fumes in confined spaces can cause headaches and worse. However, modern cleaners have since moved away from using such powerful ingredients because they are dangerous to small children or pets.
Carbon Tetrachloride Spot Removers
Back in the day, if there was a stain to get out, carbon tetrachloride was the magic ingredient in spot removers. Fast and effective, but very toxic. In fact, exposure to this substance can harm the liver, kidneys and the nervous system. Carbon tetrachloride is downright dangerous by today’s standards, and it’s off limits to use at home. If you’re trying to clean your favorite shirt with something that’s essentially poison, then that is is your go to.
Furniture Polish Based on Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde was in furniture polish, yes you read that right! According to the Amercian Cancer Society, it is a carcinogen. But it was also the chemical that made surfaces shine like no other. Today, no one would use it for routine cleaning.
Hexachlorophene Antibacterial Soaps
Antibacterial agent in soaps was hexachlorophene. It was found to be toxic if it entered the system through the skin, in high amounts, causing damage to the nervous system. Once studies found it to be a potentially risky antibacterial, hexachlorophene was phased out in favor of gentler antibacterial agents, and it became a thing of the past.
DDT Sprays
DDT was regarded as a wonder insecticide and it was used in households to kill pests. Its effects on human health and the environment were disastrous, but its humble origins are quite simple. The long lasting toxicity and the harm it causes to wildlife and humans alike has made DDT banned around the world. That’s a good reminder that “out of sight, out of mind” isn’t always a safe approach to household pests.
Lye-Based Oven Cleaners
Grease-busting power was popular among oven cleaners with lye. Lye, however, is an extremely caustic chemical that will burn your skin if it comes in contact with it. Cleaning the oven was like walking into a battle zone: people were wearing protective gear to prevent burns or respiratory problems. Oven cleaners these days are made to work without such harsh ingredients.
Ajax Scouring Powder
Ajax was one of those go to products to get the sink sparkling, but at a hidden cost. It was a heavily loaded powder with abrasive chemicals that may have been great for cleaning up grime, but they were rough on hands, eyes and even lungs. There wasn’t much thought about protective gloves, and a heavy scrub could leave you coughing in a dust cloud. Such potent abrasives and chemicals would today raise some serious red flags with health regulators.
Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers
Methylene chloride was the miracle worker of the ’70s when it came to paint removal. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though, inhaling it in a closed room could leave you feeling dizzy and nauseous. Exposure over time could cause more serious health risks including problems of the central nervous system. This chemical is today strictly regulated, and there are many alternatives available that carry less serious risks.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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