Is Soap Safe? (Why I Prefer Pure Water Only)

I use water fed pole wherever possible.

Using neat soap regularly on the squeegee mop creates higher concentrations on the hands than using soap in a bucket.

Check what the soap contains
E.g.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Surfactants can pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in the majority of personal care products that foam.

Anionic Surfactants include the following:
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate
Laureth or Lauryl Sulfate
Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine
Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Triethanolamine (TEA)

Cationic Surfactants

These toxic chemicals have a positive electrical charge. They contain a quaternary ammonium group, often called “quats”. Used in hair conditioners, they were originally developed for the paper and fabric industries as softeners and anti-static compounds. With extended usage they can cause hair to become dry and brittle. They are synthetic, irritating, allergenic and toxic chemicals, oral intake can be lethal.

Cationic Sufactants include the following toxic chemicals:
Benzalkonium Chloride
Cetalkonium Chloride
Cetrimonium Chloride
Lauryl Dimonium Hydrolysed Collagen
Stearalkonium Chloride

Hey Steve,

Great Post. You and me ought to get together on stuff. I got lots of things flipping around.

Check out this post I wrote on “The Demonizing of Petrochemical Surfactants”

Henry

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I cant claim authorship of the above
It is from

Yes, soap is safe especially when used in window cleaning since it is such a minimal amount that is being used, absolutely no harm in it.

There’s many more things in the world to worry about then soap.

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yeah I’m worried about the things I’m cleaning off the windows than the things I’m putting on to it.

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Plus it tastes good!

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Soap wars 3.0.

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I usually wear vinyl disposable gloves, especially when doing interior. I don’t have soap allergies but I don’t want exposure to whatever could be on the glass and tracks.

What someone may consider “safe” may or may not really be. I guess it just depends on what risks someone is willing to take, or how serious someone may be with the chemicals they choose to introduce into their bodies.

Citrus is supposed to be safe too, and I suppose it generally is, to a point. Ask someone who has used it daily for years, and see how good their lung function is, or what shape their joints are in.

Most studies are really about short term exposure, and they generally use lab rats or other animals to test on.

So I guess my point is, whatever floats your boat. But I don’t think it’s wise to mock or make fun of someone who takes their health more serious than you. The fact is introducing ANY foreign chemical into your system is more dangerous than not.

Do you think you should carry an MSDS file for each chemical. For that one customer that asks.

Yes for sure, get MSDS for Dawn, it could kill you with 1000 years of exposure

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Depending on where you live it could be the law.

If you are involved in a car crash and your bottles of chemicals burst and mix together, the paramedics/fire brigade kinda need to know what is active to prevent injury to themselves and the rest of the public.

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Anyone ever heard of GLIM? Just a high pH water, no chems, or soaps.

Henry

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Jhans, I know a person that died while mixing two chemical cleaners. I know you are just kidding.

When I go into power plants and nuclear plants for my job simple things mixed with the wrong thing can be deadly. MSDS can be a very serious issue.

When doing OSHA 10, 30 I got to learn alot about stuff that I thought was just over the top. Just makes you think differently about stuff.

With that being said I agree with you that Dawn is pretty safe to use while window cleaning unless you are doing shots with it. Lol :joy::joy::joy:

I[quote=“Henry, post:2, topic:46247”]
Great Post. You and me ought to get together on stuff. I got lots of things flipping around.

Check out this post I wrote
[/quote]

The link you gave to your blog needs a login, Henry.

This one works:-
GLASS SMART WINDOW CLEANING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT : The Demonizing of Petrochemical Surfactants

https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/1636-DawnPureEssentialsDishwashingLiquidCitrusInfusion#.WooxsnCnyEc

Quote from the EWG on Dawn:-

“SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE Some Concern: chronic aquatic toxicity, damage to DNA, respiratory effects, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, digestive system effects, nervous system effects, acute aquatic toxicity, damage to vision, cancer”

I hadn’t Henry but googled and found this: http://buyglim.com
Interesting…

Actually, in the US, that IS the law. If you are using any type of chemical in the process of your business, you HAVE to carry MSDS sheets, or be able to produce them on demand with your phone or tablet.

I know some guys here sneer at the thought of dish soap being toxic or bad, but I don’t see any of them willing to chug some.

Long term exposure is real. But then, it’s their bodies, so what should I really care, about risks they choose to take? It’s none of my business, and they won’t get any pity from me if they have issues in the future.

Doctors used to say that smoking was good for us, not that many years ago too. We know now how harmful it really is today, but many people still smoke. Think I have any pity for people who poison their bodies then whine later at what bad shape they are in now?

Guys, freaking sunlight is carcinogenic, the air you breath is carcinogenic, burnt toast is carcinogenic. The question is: is using Dawn associated with an appreciable risk. no matter what you avoid you will not extend your life on into eternity.

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:rofl:
So, should we just take up smoking then, since we are going to die anyway?

You do what you feel comfortable with. But you can still use chems and recognize the risks they pose. No need to act like the extra exposure is good for you.

1 Like