Household chemicals are non-food chemicals that are commonly found and used in and around the average household. They are a type of consumer goods, designed particularly to assist cleaning, pest control and general hygiene purposes.
Food additives generally do not fall under this category, unless they have a use other than for human consumption. Additives in general (e.g. stabilizers and coloring found in washing powder and dishwasher detergents) make the classification of household chemicals more complex, especially in terms of health - some of these chemicals are irritants or potent allergens - and ecological effects.
Together with non-compostable household waste, the chemicals found in private household commodities pose a serious ecological problem.
In addition to having slightly adverse up to seriously toxic effects when swallowed, chemical agents around may contain flammable or corrosive substances.
Green cleaning
Ever since a widespread awareness for the human ecological footprint has developed, there has been a move away from using household chemicals and towards green cleaning.