HELP…What Do I Use for Cleaning?!
Spring cleaning is upon us, as well as concerns for preventing illness. Are your thoughts like mine were? If it wasn’t bleach clean, it wasn’t clean. At the time, I didn’t realize what I was doing to my body and immune system by breathing in harmful products. While transitioning to be healthier, I found questionable ingredients in those cleaners that were supposed to be “green and clean”. They weren’t as clean as I had expected or hoped. Figuring out this unregulated industry was frustrating and took time and energy on my part. My goal is to help save time on your search and simplify this process as you work to create a healthier home environment.
Of the growing number of 85,000+ chemicals approved by the EPA, so few have been tested to know how they affect your body. In one of many examples, I have repeatedly heard from families that made the switch to then observe their children’s body rashes and/or respiratory issues disappear. So many ingredients trigger such immune responses. They may be in your current cleaning and/or personal care products. Your microbiome system is a delicate balance of beneficial vs. harmful bacteria; it is found on your skin as well as inside your body. Within 26 seconds of what you put on your skin, it penetrates with a direct path to your bloodstream. There are two ways products enter your body… (1) through your hands/skin and (2) by breathing into your lungs. So, what is getting into your bloodstream? Ingredients matter and can either support or disrupt your beneficial bacteria and immune system.
Yes, I used to read labels but didn’t question or pause to research the ingredients nor their effects on my body. I didn’t think twice about what I was using. It’s on a store shelf…it must be safe, right? Most of us have been in this place. For me it took a health crisis as a wake-up call to pay attention to ingredients and learn more about them. My hope is to help others toward prevention before illness sets in. Improving what you clean your home with is one step. It’s a process to change for sure and not an event.
What follows is a sampling of the many toxic ingredients to watch out for and why. Personalize this information to what you’re using; read your labels. If you don’t know an ingredient, take a minute to research it. I’ve also shared links for you to read more about each ingredient. Clearly, these commonly used toxins should be avoided.
Problem Ingredients
Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone ~ This preservative is irritating to skin, lungs and toxic to your neurological system and organs.
SLS/SLES aka Sodium Laureth Sulfate/Sodium Lauryl Sulfate ~ Foaming agent, commonly contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, helps ingredients penetrate skin to bloodstream, disrupts endocrine system, mimics estrogen and is a known carcinogen that causes cancer.
Fragrance/Perfume ~ Note: If you’re going to take one step towards living cleaner, let it be to remove fragrance from all cleaning and personal care products. Hundreds of phthalates are legally hidden behind this label. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors; trigger allergies, asthma, sinus issues and headaches. If you know couples struggling to get pregnant, for starters suggest they eliminate “fragrance” and “perfume” from all personal care and cleaning products. I used to breathe these fragrant scents in and say “hmmmmm, that smells so good!” Obviously, I didn’t understand their toxicity. Now I hold my breath when exposed. Eliminate air fresheners, fabric softeners, laundry detergents and dryer sheets as well and anything else with “fragrance” or “perfume” on the label.
PEG’s/Polyethylene Glycols aka Petroleum By-Products ~ This thickening agent can be contaminated with carcinogenic chemicals like 1,4-dioxane, discussed above in SLS. Penetration enhancer for your skin, easily gets into your bloodstream.
Dimethicone ~ Chemical used for its slippery feel, can be harmful to eyes, skin, digestive and respiratory tracts. Adverse reproductive effects on animals.
Phenoxyethanol ~ Chemical preservative that causes eye, skin, respiratory tract irritation. May cause liver and kidney damage. You may be surprised the brands that use this preservative in their products.
Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) ~ Read the Material Safety Data Sheet. Reacts also with oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide and insecticides to produce toxic chloramine gas. Mixing with isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol can produce gasses with potential damage to nervous system, eyes, lungs, kidneys and liver.
If you’d like to read more about additional toxic ingredients in your products, in easily understandable terms, please refer to one of these two listings:
1. Pure Haven’s Ingredients to Avoid
2. Purezing Dangerous Ingredients
These chemical ingredients are no joke and neither is their impact on your body and immune system. Cleaning with harsh toxic chemicals challenge your body with each use. Once toxins get into your bloodstream, your liver and kidneys have to process them out. Just because it says “natural”, “green” or “organic” doesn’t mean all ingredients should be used in your home. Some plant ingredients can trigger allergic reactions too as can some chemicals in “green” product lines. Don’t wait for a health crisis like I did. Being diagnosed with cancer back in December 2013 was my “wake-up” call to action. Let’s say God got my attention in a way that motivated me to listen and make changes. Now I’m thankful for the journey because I wouldn’t be here helping others as I am today. You have control over what you bring into your home. Here are some simple, alternative solutions towards making your home a cleaner environment:
Healthy Options
Baking Soda ~ So many uses for this. 3:1 baking soda to water for natural hand cleanser and deodorizer, absorbs odors. Mix with apple cider vinegar for a bubbly drain cleaner.
Lemon ~ Read more about lemon and its uses here. 2:1 olive oil to lemon juice for homemade furniture polish.
White Vinegar ~ Good for linoleum floors and glass. Mix with a dab of liquid soap and baking soda to cut grease, clean toilets, and remove stains and soap scum. Once a week, pour mixture down the drain for antibacterial cleaning.
Boiling Water ~ Pour down the drain weekly to flush and avoid clogs.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) ~ So many uses also. Effective germ killer. Make sure it’s murky looking and not distilled. The murky parts are important amino acids that make ACV antibacterial.
Essential Oils ~ Each oil has a purpose. The link provided gives insight into some of them. Know your source as they can be stored in containers lined with lead, other metals and contaminants. These can be powerhouse immune boosters as long as the oils are not compromised.