Did you know that chemicals commonly used in cleaning products have been linked to breast cancer, fertility problems, hormone disruption, asthma, and other serious health impacts? And here’s the scary part: no law requires cleaning product companies to disclose their ingredients, so you can’t look on the label to avoid harmful chemicals if you wish to.

Studies show that although gender roles have changed over time, women are still doing more than 70% of the housework in the average home, meaning that we’re more exposed to hidden toxic chemicals in cleaning products. Children are also disproportionately exposed to chemicals in cleaners because their organs and immune systems are not yet fully developed, and certain chemicals may interfere with the development of their neurological, endocrine and immune systems. This is why Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) is calling on the industry to make cleaners safe for women and our families. And today we have a great opportunity to get their attention.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)—which represents major cleaning product companies like Clorox (Formula 409®, Pine-Sol®), Procter & Gamble (Tide®, Dawn®), and SC Johnson & Son (Windex®, Fantastik®)—is holding their annual meeting this week.

Last time WVE organized an action during the ACI’s annual meeting, women raised their voices to make a difference. Thanks to them, ACI announced a voluntary initiative for companies to begin disclosing some ingredients on websites, an unprecedented move in the industry.

This year, we have another chance to change the face of a global industry. All of these companies are still keeping toxic chemicals in their cleaners a secret, including chemicals linked to breast cancer, reduced fertility, birth defects, asthma, and other serious health problems.

Join WVE’s social media blitz on Twitter and Facebook this Tuesday to Thursday (9/14-9/16) to demand that ACI make cleaning products safe! Now is the time to get their attention, and it takes less than a minute.

On Twitter?

1.    Tweet (pick a message below or come up with your own!)

• Chemicals linked to breast cancer, fertility problems and birth defects in my cleaning products? No thanks, @CleanInstitute #toxiccleaners
• I should be able to avoid toxic chemicals in cleaners. List ingredients and remove toxics, @CleanInstitute! #toxiccleaners
• Products I use to clean my home shouldn't have toxic chemicals--make cleaners safe, @CleanInstitute! #toxiccleaners

2.    Sign the Twitter petition to ACI! http://act.ly/2dc

On Facebook?

1.   Comment on American Cleaning Institute’s post of the day on their profile page (pick a message below or come up with your own!)

• Chemicals linked to breast cancer, fertility problems and birth defects in my cleaning products? No thanks, American Cleaning Institute.
• I should be able to avoid toxic chemicals in cleaners. List ingredients and remove toxics, American Cleaning Institute!
• Products I use to clean my home shouldn't have toxic chemicals--make cleaners safe, American Cleaning Institute!

2.    Then update your profile status with: “I just told the American Cleaning Institute to remove chemicals linked to cancer and hormone disruption from my cleaning products!” (Don’t forget to tag ACI by typing @American Cleaning Institute)

Not on Facebook or Twitter? Then take a minute to send an email to ACI!

Want to learn more? Join WVE for a Twitter party on the hidden dangers in cleaners:

The Dirt on Cleaning Products: Toxic Chemicals, Your Health, and What You Can Do
Wednesday, 9/15 at 6:00PST/9:00EST
Party hashtag: #toxiccleaners

Disinfectants linked to hormone disruption? Laundry detergents linked to breast milk contamination? From all-purpose spray to dish soap, cleaning product companies are keeping toxic chemicals that could impact your health a secret from you. Follow @women4earth to get the dirt on cleaners and learn ways to reduce your exposure (plus a fun and easy call to action on Twitter and Facebook, with a prize for the best tweet!).