Spring Cleaners
When there are so many uncontrollables in the world around us, it is crucial for us to be able to make informed decisions about what we are allowing into the environment of our homes. We spend a majority of our day indoors, and with the changed working environment for many people over the past couple of years, that time has only increased. Once I dove into the world of a toxic-free life, I was shocked at how many things in the house affect your health, either positively or negatively. As I take one step at a time, I have slowly been able to make changes to support a healthier environment in my home. There are numerous topics that could be discussed such as cookware, cosmetics, air fresheners, and filtration, but this post will hone in on cleaning products.
The American guidelines on which chemicals are allowed in products are regulated by the FDA. Too often, I have found chemicals that are considered “safe” by the FDA’s standards, yet they contain many health risks for the consumers. One company was explaining that the goal was to avoid an “unreasonable adverse effect” on our health. That begs the question, “What is considered unreasonable and why is that the standard?” It is completely possible to avoid the chemicals that we know have health risks and still maintain a clean home.
When choosing cleaning products, you don’t want any of the bottles that have hazard signs or warnings on them. If they need those warnings, then it’s safe to assume they are not toxic-free. Although there are too many chemicals for me to explain, or even recognize the names of, here are a few major ingredients to look out for in your cleaning products.
Chlorine Bleach: Sodium hypochlorite found in bleach, is linked with irritation or damage to skin as well as respiratory harm.
Quaternary ammonium compounds: also known as Quats or QAC’s, have asthma inducing components and have shown to cause skin and reproductive harm. On the label, look out for these ingredients: Benzalkonium chlorides, ingredients ending in “ammonium chloride”, or the words “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial”.
Fragrance or Parfum: These are umbrella terms used to cover thousands of chemicals to enhance the smell of products. Many times they include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates which are endocrine (hormonal) disruptive chemicals.
Preservative: another umbrella term to include many harmful chemicals such as parabens and carcinogens. Although they may help preserve shelf life, they can also cause asthma and disrupt the endocrine system. A couple of the most common are 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
Colorant: Why would cleaner need to be colored? All at the risk of causing more health damage from the numerous chemicals that are included under the term.
If you are unsure about your cleaners at home, look them up on EWG’s guide. It will inform you of the ingredients that are included and give you a rating with the risks associated with each ingredient.
After learning about all of the hidden chemicals on the market, I decided to simplify my household cleaners. I use distilled lemon-soaked vinegar diluted with water as an all-purpose spray and glass cleaner. Another option is to use castile soap diluted to the correct ratio for multiple purposes around the house. Baking soda or Bon Ami are great non-toxic options for cleaning the sink, toilet, or bath tub. If you want to disinfect, use hydrogen peroxide with a spray head attached to the bottle or a steamer on the floors. Fun fact! Steam kills 99.9% of germs. Mix with a couple drops of lemon or citrus essential oil to fight mold and it will smell great also!
Going non-toxic in your home does not have to be complicated or expensive. Sure, there are great non-toxic brands out there if you do not want to DIY your cleaners. But with just a few moments of time invested into educating yourself and choosing your cleaners wisely, you will drastically and positively affect your health. It doesn’t have to be all at once. Some people purge every harmful product in their homes and restock with better options, or you can simply choose a better option next time you run out. Don’t let this information go in one ear and out the other. Investigate, learn, and take action!
Sources
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2022/03/spring-air-lets-make-sure-toxic-chemicals-arent
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/time-cleaning-products-come-clean-ingredients
https://greenseal.org/guide-to-vocs-in-paint-and-cleaning-products/
