As the snow melts, many of us are reveling in the days where the sun greets us at 7am as opposed to driving to work in the dark. So as nature thaws and begins to renew itself, it's time for...
SPRING CLEANING!
The arsenal of cleaning products we grew up with definitely aided moms in scouring EVERY surface in the home, but as we evolve, grow, and learn (as every species should) so does our awareness and methodology.
So I'll keep this statement sweet and simple: the cleaning products we use today are (1) bad for the environment and (2) our health.
Don't believe me? Take a look at the back label of your cleaning products.The one pictured says: "Hazardous to Humans & Domestic Animals" AND there's a First Aid section. If I get this product on my clothes, I'm suggested to take them off immediately. If I get the product on my skin, I'm supposed to rinse it for 15-20 mins AND call the Poison Control Center.
But I clean my toilet seat with Lysol All Purpose Cleaner??
The harsh chemicals in our cleaners do not totally wash away. Many of them leave chemical traces. That means the cutting board I cleaned with bleach water still contains traces of bleach, which can be transferred to my food. Speaking of Bleach, aka Chlorine aka Hydrogen Chloride aka HYDROCHLORIC ACID, recent studies have found that women with Breast Cancer had 50-60% higher levels of organichlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissues than women without breast cancer.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 2 to 5 times more contaminated than outdoor air. Check out the chart below:
Product type | Harmful Ingredients | Potential hazards |
Air Freshener & Deodorizer | Formaldehyde | Toxic; carcinogen; irritant- eyes, nose, throat, skin may cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss; shortness of breath. |
Disinfectant | Sodium hypochlorite | Corrosive; irritates/burns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. |
Phenols | Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory, or cardiac damage. | |
Ammonia | Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation. | |
Drain Cleaner | Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye) | Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed. |
Floor Cleaner Wax | Diethylene glycol | Toxic; causes central nervous system depression & kidney and liver lesions. |
Petroleum solvents | Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs. | |
Ammonia | Vapor irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation. | |
Furniture Polish | Petroleum distillates or mineral spirits | Highly flammable; moderately toxic; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; entry into lungs may cause pulmonary edema. |
Oven Cleaner | Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye) | Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage. |
Spot Remover | Perchlorethylene or trichloroethane | Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage; perchlorethylene is suspected carcinogen. |
Ammonium hydroxide | Corrosive; vapor extremely irritable to skin, eyes, and respiratory passages; ingestion causes tissue burns. | |
Sodium hypochlorite | Corrosive; irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema and skin burns. | |
Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Sodium acid sulfate or oxalate or hypochloric acid | Corrosive; burns from skin contact or inhalation; ingestion may be fatal. |
Chlorinated phenols | Flammable; very toxic; respiratory circulatory,or cardiac damage. | |
Window Cleaner | Diethylene glycol | Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in liver and kidneys. |
Ammonia | Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation. |
So does this mean I can't clean my home anymore? Of course not! There are MANY eco/health conscious products you can use to clean your home. From the research I've done, there are two ways to clean your home the "green way": (1) make your own cleaning solvents or (2) purchase green brands.
Here are some of the "green brands" I suggest (click the name to visit their websites):
2. Planet (they specialize in detergents and washing liquid)
3. Sun & Earth
If any of you use other green cleaning products, do share.
You can find many of these products at major grocery chains, Trader Joes, or online for purchase.
I know some of these products cost much more than your regular cleaners, but keep in mind how much you are saving on medical bills and sick days by switching to products that are not as disruptive to your health or the environment.
Stay tuned for the next blog, I will give you recipes to create your own cleaners!
Until next time...STAY ORGANIZED (and healthy!),
~Lauren
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