Last month I did a Blog Post about using Air Fresheners, I thought I’d follow up with that Blog Post by having the next Health topic be about the cleaning products we use in our home.
Many, if not most, household cleaners contain toxic chemicals. These chemicals can cause major and even minor health concerns. We are all bio-individuals and these chemicals can and will affect us all differently. But for women, these chemicals can act like a xeno-estrogen and cause an imbalance in your hormones.
Also think about what they can be doing to your children. Exposing your children to toxic chemicals can potentially affect their developmental stages. Chemicals are known to affect our neurological, immune and endocrine systems.
Listen to this stat: “According to the US Environmental Protections Agency, an average home can be 200-500 percent more toxic or polluted than the air outside.” It is mostly due to the toxins in our homes. Think about the items in your home. We don’t buy wool carpets any longer but synthetic. Our upholstered furniture is sprayed with a Teflon to keep it water repellent. The mattresses we sleep on are fire retardant in many cases. And God forbid you cloth your babies in fire retardant nightclothes. We are being fully exposed to chemicals in our homes as well as the outside environment.
Don’t compromise your health for a clean house!
Am I implying you shouldn’t clean? Absolutely not. There are natural cleaners you can purchase from many companies. Or you can be more cost effective and make your own. They are quite simple.
Here are some recipes to help you get started. With some simple ingredients and Essential Oils you can have some very effective cleaning products. (Household Cleaning Products: What Every Woman Should Know. www.womensvoices.org/safe-cleaning-products/basic/)
Pine Floor Cleaner
- 1-gallon warm water
- 2 tablespoons liquid Castile
- 5 drops White Fir essential oil
- 5 drops Cypress essential oil
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil
- Add soap and essential oils to bucket of warm water.
- Use mop or rag to clean floors
- Pour into a spray bottle for cleaning countertops
NOTE: This solution does not need to be rinsed off.
“Lime” Scale Remover
- ½ baking soda carton
- 3 tablespoons water
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil
- 10 drops Lime essential oil
- Add water and essential oils to baking soda
- Mix into a paste
- Rub a small amount onto surface
- Let sit for 20 minutes
- Wipe off with wet cloth
All Purpose Cleaning Spray
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 25 drops Wild Orange essential oil or other essential oils of choice
- In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar
- Add essential oils(s) of choice. Shake well.
- Use on counters, wood, glass, stainless steel, and porcelain.
- Wipe with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.
What are some Essential Oils to have on hand for cleaning? This is a great start.
(Blends are from doTerra)
doTerra On Guard
Douglas Fir
Eucalyptus
Lemon
Lime
Melaleuca
Peppermint
Purifying Blend
Thyme
Wild Orange
What are some basic items to have for cleaning products?
Baking Soda – eliminates odors
White Vinegar – antifungal and antibacterial; cuts grease
Castile Soap – cuts grease, removes tough stains and dirt
Salt – great scouring agent; salt and Lemon essential oil remove coffee and tea cup stains
doTerra Fractionated Coconut Oil or Olive Oil – nice natural cleaner as well as polisher for wood surfaces
This is a great start to get your home free of toxins. First step would be to purchase some spray bottles and Essential Oils. Then get a box and go into every area of your home where you have cleaning products and remove the toxic ones. Don’t throw them in your garbage. They really need to be brought to a hazard waste disposal place. Check in your area. They are scheduled throughout the year.
If you struggle with knowing if your cleaning products are toxic, let me know. I’d be happy to come and do a walk through with you to let you know what is unsafe.
Happy Safe Cleaning!
Your Health, Wellness and Organizing Expert … Believing in You!