WHAT’S TOXIC IN YOUR HOUSE?
When you think of toxins, do you think about waste reclaiming plants and sewage refineries? Any commuter in the driver’s seat expects a lung-full of noxious fumes and chemicals from smog and traffic emissions. But do you also expect those toxins when sitting in your favorite La-Z-Boy?
Having a chronic illness such as fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, arthritis, autoimmune conditions, etc. is enough for one body – why contribute to the problem and add more symptoms?
Our homes should be a place of refuge; a safe, clean, healthy place away from the foul world. But if you’ve read that toxins only exist in factories and chemical plants, you’ve been tragically misled.
And, that oversight has a costly impact on your health.
Household cleaning products – that you probably use every day – contribute to a slew of health problems. Kind of an oxymoron isn’t it? We use cleaning products on our counter tops, bathroom fixtures, and furniture. It feels virtuous to have a sparkling clean home. What most people fail to recognize, is how much exposure we have (by breathing in the toxins and absorbing them through our skin) to the cleaning chemicals themselves. On any given day, household cleaners expose us to toxins significantly stronger than the outside air. Imagine the compounded impact over time!
Keep in mind that the companies who manufacture cleaning products are not required to disclose their ingredients. Even further, they’re not required to put warning labels on them. I certainly don’t want to contribute more problems for my body from exposure to toxins that are linked to cancer, allergies, asthma, and hormone disruption.
Have you ever sprayed a room deodorizer and felt nauseous, headachy, dizzy, or fuzzy headed? Look no further than the neurotoxins and carcinogens in those “freshening” candles, sprays, and vacuum powders. They have the potential to wreak havoc on brain activity (among other dastardly effects).
You can learn more about what ingredients are safe – and which ones are not – from the Environmental Working Group website. They scour the world of ingredients used in cleaners, health and beauty products, etc. and keep us educated and informed.
And … didja know that you can make your own cleaners? Talk about cheap – er, I mean, thrifty! Use basic white vinegar and water to clean your kitchen. Use a mixture of water, baking soda, and lemon juice to spruce up the bathroom. Instead of toxic air fresheners, place a bowl of white vinegar in areas of heavy traffic in your home to remove odors.
For more info, check out this website for a few basic cleaning product “recipes.”
There’s nothing better than watching children and grandchildren crawl, walk, or play on your floors. It’s logical to want to protect them from accidents, but isn’t it equally important to consider protecting them from toxins? Learning more about the potential dangers in our home environment gives us an opportunity to protect ourselves, our families, and our pets.
Clean up your cleaning routine! Breathe in a huge sigh of relief … AND feel good about what, exactly, you’re breathing!
