The Low-Down on Household Cleaners and Your Health

The amount of toxins we are exposed to in everyday life is mind-blowing! It's not ten or twenty, but in the thousands and some days the exposure can be in the tens of thousands! They affect our health and wellbeing everyday.

Today, we're going to chat about those harmful chemicals in household cleaning products.

I know we all want our homes to sparkle but at what cost? Some of these cleaners we've been using to fight dirt and grime are packed with chemicals affecting everything from our skin to our lungs to our liver.  And the effects are accumulative. You may not notice it today or next week but years down the road your health could really take a hit.

Let’s take a look at the ones that are most commonly found in cleaning products most of us are familiar with:

Ammonia: Long-term exposure around ammonia can lead to headaches, and in more serious cases, seizures or even coma.

Bleach: Excessive exposure to this chemical can irritate your skin and your mucus membranes. I recommend wearing gloves and a mask to avoid contact.

Butoxyethanol: This one can be sneaky, hiding in your cleaners and possibly leading to damage to your red blood cells if you're around it for long periods of time.

Chlorine: It might keep your pool clean, but it's no friend to your lungs, potentially leading to a type of asthma.

Perchloroethylene: Found in dry cleaning solutions. This chemical can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, potential harm to your liver and is a possible carcinogen. Please allow your dry cleaning to air out before storing in the closet or drawer.

Phosphates: This chemical has been linked to health issues like heart disease and osteoporosis. 

Phthalates: Keep your hormones in check by steering clear of this chemical. Another carcinogen that leads to lower fertility and development issues.

Propylene Glycol: This one can mess with your nervous system. If your family has a history of seizures, then it’s best to avoid this compound.

Sodium Hydroxide: This can burn your skin and eyes if you’re not careful. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Triclosan: This can promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria and resistance to beneficial bacteria in humans. Additionally, it’s highly toxic to algae in our streams and rivers.

So, what’s a person to do?

There are plenty of natural, homemade solutions that will not only keep your home clean without risking your health but also save money!

Think vinegar, baking soda and lemon – nature's cleaners. If you are not into DIY, there are cleaner options out there. You can check the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website for alternative cleaners but know that you also have options in your pantry as well!

Let's keep our bodies healthy and our homes clean, the natural way whenever possible.