What Is It? “New car smell” sounds harmless, right? Think again. Butyl cellosolve is a chemical found in countless household cleaning agents, including but not limited to air fresheners, glass cleaners, tarnish removers, oven cleaners, degreasing agents, carpet cleaners and spot removers. It’s usually used in heavy concentration, toxic when inhaled or touched, and yes, is responsible for that “fresh” scent you experience when stepping into a newly washed vehicle.

Health Risk: Butyl cellosolve – which also goes by the names butyl glycol, Dowanol, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) – is one of those highly dangerous chemicals you definitely do not want to see on any ingredient list around your house! It is a neurotoxin that not only weakens the nervous system, but also causes damage to the liver, kidneys and mucous membranes within your body.

How To Avoid It: Before you buy a cleaning product, make sure you familiarize yourself with butyl cellosolve’s many aliases. We’re devotees of Caldrea’s household products when it comes to making our turf non-toxically pristine!