Do you ever feel like you need a degree in chemistry to read the labels on your cleaning products???
Something I learned very early on in my Holistic Nutrition education was the importance of always reading labels! Yes, I am that person standing in the grocery store aisle reading every single label... LOL!
How often do you check the ingredients in your household cleaners???
In my opinion, it is just as important to know the ingredients in your cleaning products as it is to know the ingredients in the foods you are consuming. While I was training to become a Holistic Nutritionist I became aware of the toxins being put in our food and in our personal beauty & cleaning products. I knew I did not want to put that stuff in or on my body. Now I teach my clients what to look for on food and beauty product labels so they too can avoid these harmful ingredients for themselves and their family.
There are a lot of very harmful chemicals put into common household cleaners that are causing a whole array of health problems. Some of these chemicals are carcinogenic, hormone disrupting, mood altering, neurotoxic and have negative effects on the reproductive system... YIKES!
You may think you are cleaning your house, but are you really creating a harmful environment in the process? Chances are if you are cleaning with conventional products you are covering every surface in your home with toxic chemicals :(
According the the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the U.S. (and likely the same in Canada) the indoor air quality is 2-5 times more toxic than the air outdoors. This is because of household cleaners and pesticides. If you read the label of many household cleaners you can quickly see why I say that these products are harmful to your health. The label often contains words like hazardous, corrosive, harmful if swallowed and irritant. It is best to leave these on the shelf and to research some healthier options. A website I like to go to is EWG. Here you can search not only household cleaners but also beauty products and more to find clean and environmentally safe products.
Some of the main toxic ingredients you want to avoid when choosing household cleaners are:
1. Parabens - are used as preservatives and antifungal agents in cleaners. They are linked to many health problems such as hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity and immunotoxicity.
2. Triclosan - is used in products for its antimicrobial properties. It is found also in toothpaste, makeup, deodorant and hand-soap. It is actually classified as pesticide! It also has hormone disrupting actions in the body, especially the thyroid. It is also toxic to aquatic life. This ingredient is so widely used in products that it has been suggested as a contributing factor to bacterial resistance, meaning bacteria is becoming resistant to antimicrobial agents.
3. Phthalates - is yet another class of ingredients linked to hormone disruption! If you use anything that has "fragrance" or "perfume" on the label then you are being exposed to phthalates. These are linked to early puberty in girls and hormonal based cancers! They also are associated with respiratory irritation and headaches. Unfortunately, fragrance ingredients do not have to be disclosed on packaging so the best way to avoid this chemical is to avoid using products that contains fragrance.
4. Phenols - found in disinfectants and toilet bowl cleaners are toxic to the respiratory and circulatory system. They have also been found to be toxic to the liver, kidneys and eyes with repeated exposure.
5. Diethylene glycol - found in window cleaners and has negative effects on the hormonal system and fetal development and is a neurotoxin.
6. Formaldehyde - found in spray, wick deodorizers, laundry and dish detergents, bath/shower gel and is toxic to the respiratory system and is also a suspected carcinogen!
Check out the EWG website for help finding safer products.
If you would like to make your own products there are many natural ingredients you can use to make your own All-natural DIY cleaners that are safe to use in your home and will do just as good of a job as the chemical filled ones you buy at the store.
Vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, borax, and castile soap are just some of the ingredients you can use.
Here's a few of my favorite recipes for DIY cleaners...
All-purpose cleaner
- 15-20 drops disinfecting oil (Oils to use are on-guard, purify, cinnamon, thyme, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon or peppermint)
- 1 cups warm water
- 1/2 white vinegar for added cleaning boost
- sea salt (helps emulsify oils in water and protect spray nozzle).
Add ingredients to 16 oz spray bottle, shake and spray on surfaces and wipe off
Streak free glass and window cleaner
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
- 2 tbsp. rubbing alcohol
- 1 ½ tsp. cornstarch
- 8-10 drops citrus essential oils (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange)
- ¾ cup water
- 8 oz. glass spray bottle
Add ingredients to spray bottle, shake and use!
Carpet/upholstery Deodorizer
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1/2 cup borax (BONUS: helps keeps bugs and rodents away)
- 30 drops essential oil(s) of choice
Add baking soda and essential oil(s) to mason jar and shake well to combine. Reuse an old shaker jar/container (one from spices or something that has large enough holes). Shake baking soda on the carpet/upholstery and let sit for at least 2 hours and then vacuum up.
Scrubbing paste (abrasive)
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 10 drops essential oil (lemon, lime, orange or rosemary)
Combine ingredients and store in air-tight container. Apply desired amount to surface, scrub and rinse.
Leave a comment if you try any of these recipes for yourself.
Trust me you will be so happy knowing that you are no longer cleaning your home with toxic chemicals and keeping you and your family safe!
And for more resources on Lung Safe Household Products and to learn more about mesothelioma symptoms check out these resources from The Mesothelioma Center. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/related-diseases/lung-safe-household-products/
Comments