Many of us were raised with cleaning products that contained 1000's of toxins, that grew up breathing in every day. Growing up, questions regarding the toxicity and the hazards of chemicals within the environment were altogether overlooked. Today, however, evidence shows that what we put in our home and what we use to clean our home is just as important as what we put inside our body. In fact, the products that we use within our homes enter into our bodies via the air we breathe, through our skin, and through the water we drink.

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1. There are 17,000 petrochemicals available for home use, 70% of which haven’t been tested for exposure to human health and the environment.

2. On average 63 synthetic chemical products are found in the average American home.

3. Indoor air pollution can be 200% of what outdoor air pollution levels are, according to US EPA estimates.

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With all these chemicals, it’s no wonder that the EPA found the air quality in our homes to be 5 to 10 times more toxic than the air outside, and typically contaminated by anywhere from 20 to 150 different pollutants. Much of this pollution comes from petrochemical cleaners.

Want to learn more about the potential hazards related to the cleaning products you are currently using?

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If you would like to find out about some of the chemicals in the cleaning products you use, just go to: www.scorecard.org

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It provides ‘chemical profiles’ that allow you to type in the name of a chemical (just look on the ingredient list of a cleaning product to find one) and find out the health hazards associated with it. Household bleach, for example, is a neurotoxicant and blood toxicant.

Unfortunately, many commonly used cleaning products contain many toxic ingredients. If you are not using a 100% natural product, you are probably using dangerous chemicals. Be aware of products that do not disclose all their ingredients. Products that do not openly disclose all their ingredients usually have something to hide. The words ‘organic’, ‘non-toxic’, and ‘eco-safe’ do not always mean the product is natural or completely safe.

On personal care and household products, the labels ‘organic’, ‘non-toxic’, and ‘eco-safe’ are not regulated by the FDA or USDA this means that companies can use these terms even if their product is toxic and un-natural. Look for products that have nothing to hide and products that openly disclose all their ingredients. Some products that use a ‘natural’ label, such as Simple Green and Method, contain artificial fragrances, and other chemicals, and are NOT natural products (see below for a list of recipes that ARE natural and safe and cheap to make at home).

Read more her: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm

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How to go green...

Getting rid of toxins in your home and getting your home healthy doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In a few easy steps, you can improve your indoor air quality and decrease your exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes. Making the shift to natural cleaning products will also help the environment outside of your home: by decreasing the number of chemicals that are release into our soil, water supply, and air you are contributing to the shift toward eco-friendly, healthier ways of living for everyone.

Step 1. Get rid of the toxic cleaning products in your home. Most cities have designated chemical waste drop locations. Call them for more details.

Step 2. Switch to making your own natural cleaning products.

Relax, there are some brands and companies that you CAN TRUST. Below is a list of companies that offer safe and consistent alternatives to chemical cleaning products. These are the 3 brands that we use here at the School of Holistic Healing and in our homes.

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Dr. Bronner’s soap and cleaning products

https://shop.drbronner.com/body-care

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Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products

http://www.mrsmeyers.com/

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Ecos brand cleaning products

http://ecos.com/

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