Many of us are eager to keep our homes clean and safe for our families. We use various products to disinfect, deodorize, sparkle, shine and sanitize every room, appliance and piece of furniture. Unfortunately when we rely on conventionally cleaning products we quite often expose ourselves and the environment to potentially hazardous and toxic chemicals.
We need to consider the fact that we often come into close contact with cleaning products, especially laundry detergent and surface cleaners. Although the associated health risks from these chemicals, when we are exposed through typical household use, are likely to be low; the long term health effects and possible associated allergic reaction can be unknown.
Some cleaning products can contain neurotoxins, carcinogens, allergens and heavy metals; all of which are associated with health problems. Stronger cleaning products will come with health warnings and we keep these locked away, out of reach, but don’t hesitate to spread them round our homes, when its’ time to clean, releasing toxins into the air and washing them down the sink.
Any of the toxic chemicals found in cleaning products; particularly phosphate, non-biodegradable synthetic ingredients, bleach and ether-type solvents are hazardous pollutants. When these chemicals are released into the air or washed down our drains they can have adverse effects on our natural environment and wildlife.
Fortunately many of us are making the switch to low toxic and environmentally conscience cleaning products. By simply reducing our exposure to these conventional cleaning products we can eliminate any possible ill health or environmental effects associated with their toxic ingredients.
Luckily it is easy to clean up the majority of everyday household mess with a little natural soap and water or with simple ingredients like bi-carbonate soda, vinegar, lemon juice and a touch of elbow grease.
Quite often pulling out the big guns like disinfectant, bleach and chemical cleaners is overdoing what can be wiped away with simple ingredients. It is possible that we rely too heavily on these chemical cleaners because they are labelled with such persuasive slogans of fresh, clean, germ free homes. But we owe it to ourselves and the environment to try reducing our use of potentially harmful and polluting products; especially when the simpler alternatives are cheaper, safer and usually just as effective.
How we can choose safer and effective cleaning products
Try using simple ingredients:
- Natural soap and warm water is often all that is need to keep our homes clean
- Also try bi-carbonate soda and vinegar to shine and clean in the bathroom and kitchen
- Lemon juice and natural vanilla are fantastic and effective deodorizers as is a little bi-carbonate soda sprinkled onto fabric and then vacuumed up
- Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil are fantastic natural disinfectants and smell great too
- Check online there are great recipes using simple ingredients for all kinds of household jobs
For the tougher jobs there is an every growing amount of products available from great companies that use environmentally conscience ingredients and practices. Look for products with certified labelling and be wary of the every present greenwash, companies will quite often make vague or unclear claims as there is little regulation over terms like eco-friendly and green.
When purchasing cleaning products look for ones that:
- Are certified readily biodegradable
- Avoid the use of chemicals such as phosphate, non-biodegradable synthetic ingredients, bleach and ether-type solvents
- Are certified cruelty free, because many cleaning products contain chemicals these are quite often tested on animals, it is important to always look for products that state otherwise
- Contain ingredients made from renewable resources such as biological based solvents from citrus, seed and vegetable oils
- Have reduced or recyclable packaging and buy concentrate and refillable containers when available, this reduces waste and saves on energy
By choosing safer products, supporting environmentally conscience companies and giving simple ingredients a go we can reduce our exposure and the Planets exposure to potentially harmful and polluting substances.
It is easy and economical to switch to simpler methods of keeping our homes clean and a much safer alternative to conventional products. We can avoid the need to buy into slogans of fresh, super clean, super fast, ease and perfection and adopt a simpler approach to clean, happy and healthy homes.
Related posts:
- Balance and Consequence : Choosing beauty products that meet our own healthy, ethical and environmental standard
- Balance and Consequence : Fruit and vegetables and the benefits of “going local”!!
- Balance and Consequence : Our Modern Consumer Lifestyle
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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~Hellen Keller
