The cleaning products that you use in your home may help make it spotless and shiny, but they could do more harm than good.
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I first learned about toxins in cleaning products when my girls were babies. I learned how these toxic chemicals are linked to a number of health problems such as allergies, eczema, and hormonal disruptions which may cause diabetes and other diseases.
Since both my girls had eczema I made a point to eliminate as many of the toxic cleaners as I could.
It took some time and I wasn’t able to do it all at once but once I got started I learned more about what to look for and how to make my own.
If you have kids in the house, it’s important to become smarter about home cleaning even if they don’t show signs of health issues like mine did.
These chemicals and toxins can build up in the body and potentially cause problems later on in life.
It’s just not worth the risk.
Clean With What You Have On Hand
Researchers are discovering that all the anti-bacterial ingredients and chemicals are not good to be using because it keeps us from building healthy immune system.
It’s actually better for our immune system to be exposed to some germs so totally sterilizing our homes with harsh chemicals and bleach isn’t needed.
Most of the time you can easily clean your home with ingredients you already have on hand.
Items like baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, lemons, cream of tartar, and castile soap can all be used for cleaning without having to use toxic ingredients.
Aptoyu Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, 120 ml
An essential oil diffuser is nice to have on hand when you want to deodorize or disinfect the air.
I love to diffuse Plant Therapy’s Germ Fighter when someone is sick and the rest of us don’t want to get it.
If you see that diffuser under $20. Grab it. That’s a great price.
DYI Ideas For Non-Toxic Cleaning
I love Sarah’s video about non-toxic cleaning. It goes perfectly with my post here and she will give you lots of ideas for cleaning your home. My solutions below the video aren’t exactly like Sarah’s so be sure to watch it so you get lots of ideas.
Remember, don’t try to switch out everything in one day and make yourself crazy. Just try something new each week.
To Clean The Sink and Oven
Mix baking soda with water until you get a pasty mixture. Apply it to the oven and leave it for a few hours. After you wipe it clean, you can see how clean it looks. Similarly, to clean your sink you can use a mixture of baking soda and water.
To Clean Windows And Floor
You can use a vinegar and water solution to clean the windows. To mop the tiles and laminate floors, you can add vinegar to warm water with a few drops of essential oil to make the floors smell nice as well as look spotless.
To Clean Your Mattresses
Your sofa or mattress can get dirty, but it won’t be too often that you will require cleaning it. When the time comes, prepare a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil and sprinkle it on. Leave it for an hour before you vacuum the solution up and you’ll see the difference.
To Clean The Microwave
Microwave a cup of vinegar on high until it boils and the insides are laced with vinegar condensation. Wait for 3 minutes and then remove the bowl and clean the insides with a cloth or paper towel.
To Keep The Air Fresh
Most of the air fresheners used around the home contain toxins that aren’t safe to breathe. Make your own toxic free, natural air freshener by combining rosemary, vanilla, and a sliced lemon in a simmering quart of water. If you have an oil diffuser just add some water and your favorite essential oil. (this is the diffuser I’ve been using for over 2 years with no problems)
To Clean The Toilet
Toss one cup of baking soda in the toilet and leave it for an hour. Pour one cup white vinegar and flush it off after 5 minutes. Scrub if needed.
To Scrub Tough Dirt
If you have tough dirt and grime that needs a nice scrub with the least amount of effort try a mixture of 1 part Castile Soap and 1 Part Cream of Tartar. Rub over the surface that needs to be cleaned then spray with some hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for a few minutes and whip clean.
To Disinfectant
Fill a bottle with water these water, lavender, lemon, rosemary, tea tree essential oils and use as you would Lysol disinfectant. You can also use the Plant Therapy Germ Fighter in the same way.
Bottom Line
There are so many different chemicals used in store bought cleaning products. We don’t know what most of them can do to us much less our children.
One my favorite sites to check dangerous ingredients in products is EWG.org. They give ratings to products according to their level of toxins.
It’s easy and cheap to make your own at home. You can reduce toxins in your home and save some money.
A note about essential oils: I use a variety of essential oil brands. When purchasing oils look for ones that are pure and undiluted. I select organic brands whenever possible.
Let me know what less toxic cleaners you use to clean around your house?
