When people come to me for help with symptoms they are experiencing, they find it surprising that I ask them what kind of cleaning supplies they use. After all, what would a floor cleaner have to do with a headache or laundry detergent have to do with skin irritations or sleep disorders? After we dive into nutritional, emotional, and spiritual health, we continue right into environmental health.

When people are facing serious illnesses, the first piece of advice I give them is to switch to an organic diet. The second piece of advice I give them is to switch out all cleaning supplies and beauty supplies to natural and organic options. Why on earth would we work so hard to flush toxins out of our body so it can heal properly just to sleep in a toxic-filled bed all night or why would we smother our skin, which is one of our detoxification organs, with chemical-filled lotions and perfumes that clog the functions of the skin?

“In a study spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in collaboration with Commonweal, researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in August and September of 2004 in U.S. hospitals. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage.” (1)

That is hard to hear. Isn’t the womb supposed to be the healthiest environment for our babies? Environmental toxins are very real and it’s time we see what role they play in our health. Even more research shows that babies under six months of age suffer 30% more ear infections and are at a 22% higher risk of diarrhea due to exposure to conventional cleaning products. We take our sweet little babies, bleach everything in their home, wrap them up in synthetically fragranced blankets and slather them in chemical-filled soaps and lotions just so they have that ‘baby’ smell. Then we wonder why they are not feeling well, why they throw up constantly, sleep terrible, and have ear infections. Obviously, the next step is to run to the doctor where in most cases an antibiotic is given to them which sets off another set of issues and we still have yet to  address the cause of any of the symptoms. Tired of this hamster wheel yet?

Not only are our babies suffering from environmental toxins but we are as well. Many people are experiencing hormonal effects. “Chemicals that are so-called “hormone disruptors” can interfere with the body’s natural chemical messages, either by blocking or mimicking the actions of hormones. Possible health effects include decreased sperm counts, increased rates of male birth defects such as cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias (where the urethra is on the underside of the penis), and increased rates of some kinds of cancers. The alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) used in some detergents and cleaners have been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen; one APE, p-nonylphenol, has caused estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells to multiply in a test tube study.” (2)

So, where do we start? You can start by cleaning out your cabinets. There is no such thing as a little bit of poison. Get the poison out of your home.

I have complied a short list of cleaning products to stay away from and a short list to start adapting into your cleaning routine. For a much more in depth list, this site  has pretty much every natural cleaning option you can think of.

 

Commercial Products to Avoid:

-Alcohol: specifically 2-butoxyethanol and methoxyethoxy

-Chlorine Bleach:  According to the EPA, more than 26,000 children were exposed to or poisoned by household chlorine bleach in 2002.

-Formaldehyde: found in NO-iron clothes and bedsheets.

-Ammonia: EPA says ammonia is a toxic chemical and causes damage to the lungs and the eyes.

Simple Solutions:

-Vinegar: a disinfectant, deodorizer and cuts grease.

-Hydorgen Peroxide: whitens and sanitizes

-Sodium Bicarbonate: an abrasive

-Washing Soda:  whitens and deodorizes

-Castile Soap:  all natural base for cleansers

-Lemon Juice: deodorizes and disinfects

-Salt: an abrasive

-Olive Oil: polish

-Essential Oils:  disinfects, deodorizes, and antibacterial

-Borax: works great for killing fleas in carpet and works as a cleanser

Cleaning is a very important part of our life but commercialism has destroyed our intelligence in this area. Cleaning should not break the bank or cause illness. By putting into practice simple cost-effective methods, you will be doing your family a great service by providing them a safe environment to live and thrive in.

I have compiled a list from holistic practitioners and also from my own personal recipes of cleaning recipes and beauty/body care products that are at the disposal of my team members or for my clients.  As always, I want to educate and help improve the health of the  people around me.  To learn more about becoming a team member, email me directly or visit this site to learn more.

Happy Cleaning

 

(1) https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns#.WfN0l9FMGfA

(2) https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies  

 

Disclaimer
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.

 

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