Detox Your Home: Why Use Natural Cleaning Products

Many of us are so passionate about getting rid of bad chemicals in our food, buying organic, and avoiding artificial sweeteners/flavors…but what about the things we touch everyday, especially the ones we consider to be “clean”?

When I found out I had MTHFR, I was warned that I can have a higher risk of chemical exposure from cleaning supplies and I should be very careful. MTHFR basically makes it even harder for my body to detoxify. So, I immediately rid my entire house of any bad cleaning supplies and was more conscious about the things Diego could get to. A toddler running around also means EVERYTHING in reach is being grabbed and touched. I’m sure other moms have had this worry as well with little ones around.

The Best Natural Cleaning Products

I love doing posts like this where I can research ways to easily improve the health of ourselves and our family and share it with you. I have been not only committed to using clean natural beauty  and laundry products, but now I’m committed to using natural, non-toxic cleaning supplies. I am trying to be more aware of WHY natural products are important and HOW to be knowledgable of ingredients/brands when I walk into the store, then share that with all of you!

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What’s in Conventional Cleaning Supplies?

• Fumes linked to causing/worsening asthma and other respiratory problems
• Carcinogenic ingredients such as 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde
• Ingredients that cause chemical burns or poison the body (10% of poison control calls are from cleaning supplies)
• Hormone disruptors that block or mimic hormones that can cause birth defects and some cancers
• Water pollutants like phosphates that kickstart an overgrowth of underwater plant life which can eventually deplete the oxygen supplies

This has been a huge issue for the lives of those who work constantly with cleaning supplies. California just passed the California Cleaner’s Right to Know Act of 2017, co-sponsored by EWG to make sure manufacturers are required to explicitly state any carcinogenic and allergic ingredients in their products. EWG inspired this bill due to the 60,000 ingredients they say are harmful and not included in federal protection. However, this bill is right now only enforced for California manufacturers.

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So, What Ingredients Do We Want to Avoid?

1,4-DIOXANE

This known carcinogen breaks down harsh chemicals but creates a reaction that is very dangerous. Check your labels for sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, chemicals that include the clauses xynol, ceteareth and oleth.

CHLORINE

This antibacterial found in common bleach has a bad track record with developing allergies and asthma in children. Try a non-chlorine bleach!

AMMONIA

Ammonia is highly poisonous to the lungs and brain and is a dangerous chemical combination that often causes coughing and burning of the skin when in contact.

FRAGRANCE

When a company lists “fragrance” on the label they do not have to disclose the hundred of chemicals used to create the fragrances, so it’s better to avoid.

2-BUTOXYETHANOL

Often used in protective surface coatings, household “degreasers,” and dry-cleaning products, it can enter your body through the air or by skin contact. Both ways can cause it to enter the bloodstream and affect your organs. Check the ingredients for anything with “butyl”.

PHTHALATES

A group of chemicals used to soften plastic and vinyl in products and make fragrances stick to the skin. Although marked as endocrine disruptors and possible carcinogens, you will not find them listed on a label but can almost always find them in any item with “fragrance” or “parfum.”

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My Favorite Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies

1. Biokleen Odor + Stain Remover
2. Truce Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (5 Ingredients and really awesome company)
3. EO Lavender Hand Sanitizing Wipes (perfect for toddlers, I use these everyday)
4. Seventh Generation Natural Tub & Tile Cleaner
5. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
6. Green Shield Organic Glass Cleaner

Each of these products can be found on Amazon (click the products for links), have good EWG ratings, and still work just as well as conventional products! All of these brands are passionate about providing products with limited chemicals, which I really appreciate because it has made it easy for me to make the switch.

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Easy At-Home Tricks

Can’t get ahold of those natural products above? Or do you have a cleaning emergency you need to fix quick? Here are some awesome and strange expert cleaning tricks with things you probably have at home.

Mustard = Clean Tubberware

Yes you read that right! To get rid of leftover tubberware odor, add equal parts of mustard and hot water, shake it out and rinse. Tada!

Red Wine Stains

Use a little white wine to scrub out the stain. Not sure how it works but I know that it does! (haha)

Sink Gunk Cleanout

Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the sink, let it sit for an hour then boil 2 cups of white vinegar and pour it down the drain. This will dissolve all the buildup and stench of the sink drain.

Permanent Marker, Meet Hairspray

Do you have a toddler who wants to be the next Picasso and likes to use the walls as his canvas? Me too, (haha) but spray a little hairspray on a cloth and wipe away!

Surface Cleaning: Vinegar + Water

A traditional go-to is vinegar and water to disinfect surface areas and leave them like new. You can know how much vinegar to use by the smell.

 

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As always, I want to hear your tips in the comments below! What products do you use at home? You can also leave a comment over on my Instagram!