Like most people who care about their health, you're a label reader — you look for the organic seal on packages, scrutinize supplements, and avoid artificial food additives. But have you checked the labels on your household cleaners? It's important to know what's in your cleaning products. Keep your home clean — without putting your family's health at risk — with safe, nontoxic cleaners.
Home Exposure
Cleaning ingredients can cause a variety of health hazards. Some chemicals cause symptoms that are acute, like respiratory or skin irritation and watery eyes, while others are associated with long-term effects, like cancer and hormone disruption.
Of the estimated 80,000 chemical compounds in use today, the National Toxicology Program has only tested a tiny percentage of them for their potential to cause cancer. These toxins can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, and many are stored in body fat while others migrate to the vital organs, muscles, nerves, and the brain.
Our greatest exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is inside the home. And since cleaning products are not required to disclose a full ingredient list, it’s tough to identify ingredients to avoid.
Clear the Air
The first step to a healthier home is to follow this simple rule of thumb: If something irritates your eyes, your nose, or your skin, get rid of it. (But don’t dump it down the drain or throw it out with the garbage-contact your hazardous waste collection center.) Almost every cleaner can be replaced with a nontoxic alternative, and earth-friendly products will list their ingredients and provide a phone number or website for more information.
Simple baking soda, vinegar, and castile or plant-based soap, alone, in combination, or in products, can scrub, deodorize, cut soap scum, and more. Essential oils are also effective ingredients to look for in natural cleaning products. Lemon oil helps cut grime and remove odors, while lavender disinfects. Peppermint is an antibacterial and helps to deter pests. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic tea tree oil works especially well to bust through mold and mildew.
Whether you make your own nontoxic cleaners or choose environmentally friendly varieties at your local market, you’re making a safer, healthier choice for your family and the planet.
© 2014 Living Naturally