Safe and Healthy Cleaning!
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About this time of year many of us start thinking of giving our homes a good airing and cleaning. The windows have been shut for many months now and the stagnant air in our homes needs some attention! Hence, the time-tested practice of spring cleaning! In light of this, we want to focus on cleaning in this blog post. We are going to zero in on conventional cleaning products and shed light on the dangers that many of us are being exposed to in our homes and workplaces. Then we will guide you through a simple “home detox” and help you know how to choose better cleaning products moving forward.
PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK
Before we get into the details let’s stop and think about those in our community who may be at higher risk of developing health issues from these products. If you don’t fit into one of these categories remember that these chemicals are dangerous for all of us. In fact, those with less sensitivities may not realize the damage that is happening until serious health issues arise.
First, people in the cleaning industry have been found to have exponentially higher rates of asthma and other respiratory-related diseases like lung cancer and COPD when compared with the rest of the population. So, if you are doing a lot of cleaning it may be even more important for you to make necessary changes to the products you use.
Secondly, anyone with a compromised immune system, the elderly, or people with conditions that make them more sensitive to pollutants are at greater risk for increased symptoms.
In addition, pregnant women, babies in utero, and children are more at risk. Babies who are exposed to certain indoor cleaners in utero and infancy have much higher chances of developing asthma and wheezing than children who are not. Children also have a higher breathing rate, touch surfaces more and have more hand to mouth behavior than adults. Therefore, more of the chemicals are going to be entering their bodies.
Our post-covid society has become obsessed with sanitizing everything, this especially holds true in schools and daycare facilities. But if you are a parent utilizing these institutions, does that mean less sickness? Recent studies have shown that chronic illness rates in our children have significantly increased in recent years. These cleaning products we are going to talk about today are likely just a piece of that puzzle, but it is jarring to think that the very products that are supposed to be stopping the spread of disease are in reality, negatively impacting people’s health and wellbeing.
THE PRODUCTS
What toxic chemicals are being used in cleaning products and why are they dangerous? There are too many toxic chemicals to list in this blog post, but we are going to highlight a few very common ones you can be on the lookout for. But before we get into the specific chemicals, you should be aware that manufacturers are not required by law to list all the ingredients in their products. And many products may be listed with names that do not sound toxic or may be so hard to read that it isn’t clear what they are. Unfortunately, there is a massive lack of oversight when it comes to cleaning products. Many of the toxic chemicals listed below are banned in other countries. Do some research on European standards for food, pesticide use and cleaning products and you will be shocked at how different the US standards are! Chronic disease rates are also much lower in Europe!
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Let’s begin with common endocrine disruptors. In case you aren’t quite sure what is meant by an endocrine disruptor, it is anything that negatively affects the functioning of your endocrine system. The endocrine system is a network of glands and tissues that produce and release hormones to regulate almost every function in your body. So, our endocrine system is not just about our sex hormones. It also controls mood, sleep, metabolism and so much more!
Chemicals found in common cleaning products that interfere with this important system are phthalates, triclosan, perchloroethylene (or perc) quaternary ammonium compounds (or quats), and fragrances.
These chemicals have also been linked with asthma, allergies, headaches, skin irritation, kidney and liver damage, and even cancer.
They are in products like air fresheners, anything scented (unless it’s scented with essential oils), carpet and upholstery cleaners, spot removers, antibacterial soaps and wipes, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, disinfectant sprays, and more.
The labels of cleaning products are almost impossible to understand, and companies often veil these toxic chemicals with other names. To avoid these endocrine disruptors, look for names like “fragrances” “parfum” “DOP” “DBP” “DMP” “tetrachloroethylene” “PCE” “Perc” “triclosan” “microban” and anything ending with “ammonium chloride”.
IRRITANTS TO SKIN, EYES and RESPIRATORY TRACT
Another common problem with mainstream cleaning products is that they are strong irritants to your skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Exposure to these chemicals can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis and other skin diseases. They can also lead to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. And if these aren’t bad enough, consistent exposure to these chemicals can come with various chronic health problems like cancer, liver & kidney damage, and nervous system illness.
Chemicals that are associated with these risks are 2-butoxyethanol, ammonia, chlorine bleach, sodium hydroxide, formaldehyde, and 1,4-Dioxane.
They are found in many all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, kitchen degreasers, polishing products, bathroom cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers, air fresheners, dish soaps, laundry detergent and even in furniture!
In order to find these chemicals on the label look for anything with “ammonia” in it, “2-butoxyethanol” “butyl cellosolve” “ethylene glycol moobutyl ether” “asL” “sodium hypochlorite” “chlorine” “bleach” “sodium hydroxide” “caustic soda” “lye” “quaternium-15” “dmdm hydantoin” “imidazolidinyl urea” “diazolidinyl urea” “sodium laureth sulfate” “PEG compounds” or ingredients with “eth” in their names.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)
These are chemicals (many included above) that vaporize at room temperature and continue to emit gases days, weeks or months after the product is applied. They negatively impact both indoor and outdoor air quality, however it is easy to understand why indoor air quality is exponentially affected compared to outdoor. Like many of the products listed above, these VOCs contribute to the potentially constant exposure to chemicals that cause chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches.
FOREVER CHEMICALS (PFAS)
Forever chemicals have gotten a lot of attention lately but in case you haven’t heard about them, they are a group of more than 12,000 chemicals made in the 40’s and 50’s that never break down. Once they are in your body or in the environment, they simply accumulate instead of breaking down over time. They have become so popular because they are water, grease, and heat resistant. These properties, however, are the very ones that make them indestructible in our bodies and the environment.
They have been linked with many serious health concerns including kidney damage, thyroid disease, immune system repression, increased cholesterol, delayed childhood development, and reproductive issues.
They are in glass and hard surface cleaners, fabric protectants, some non-stick cook wear, food packaging, waterproof clothing and many conventional cleaning products that are labeled “stain-resistant” or “water-repellent”.
It can be hard to know whether a product has VOCs or PFAS’ in it. Below we will help you know what is safe to buy!
WHAT TO BUY INSTEAD
It can be overwhelming to hear all this information. Many of us feel like we do not have time to read and research every item on every label of everything we buy! So, we are going to give you some guidance on how to know that the products you buy are safe and how to rid your home and body of these products that have been accumulating.
Let’s talk about labels. As we stated above, manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients in cleaning products and even those that are listed are confusing and misleading. Another way manufacturers fool the consumer is a common practice called “greenwashing”. This is when a company uses marketing (like key phrases or flashy presentation) to get you to think you are buying a natural product. Often, they will have words like “plant-based” “natural fragrance” “green” “vegan” or even “biodegradable”. They often have pictures of nature, names inspired by nature, or trendy packaging.
Instead, look for products that are actually green. These will have complete ingredient disclosure, either be fragrance-free or have the essential oils listed, be third party tested, and will often have certifications like EWG Verified, EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, or Made Safe. Remember that our buying power speaks volumes to our law and policy makers. The more people refuse to buy toxic products and buy products that are safe for people and the environment, the more manufacturers and lawmakers will move in that direction.
A great alternative to wading through all the cleaning products on the store shelves is to make your own cleaners. Really all you will need for most cleaning jobs are vinegar, soap, warm water, baking soda and lemon. You can throw in essential oils too!
But if you are looking for products to purchase that work, smell lovely, and are safe for people, animals and the environment, we highly recommend the products at Mama Suds. They are a wonderful company committed to empowering you to clean without damaging the health of people or the planet, while still being effective. Everything is hand crafted, non-toxic, and free of synthetics. See below for product ideas!
Green Cleaning Essential Oil Kit – Heart + Sol
All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – Heart + Sol
Automatic Dishwasher Powder – Heart + Sol
Laundry Stain Stick – Heart + Sol
Castile Soap 16 oz – Heart + Sol
Laundry Soap 64 oz – Heart + Sol
DETOX YOUR HOME AND BODY
As you make healthy changes to your cleaning products, you may be wondering what you can do about the chemicals your body has been and continues to be exposed to.
First, consider a detox of your home. Start by getting rid of the toxic products. There are many waste facilities that accept toxic products and household cleaners. We don’t want to put mainstream cleaners in the trash or down the drain! Next, deep clean the areas these products were stored with vinegar. After this, vacuum the whole house with the windows open and wipe down all hard surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any residue that has settled on the floors or surfaces of your home. Then, over the course of a week or so leave the windows of your house open for at least an hour each day. And of course, stock your home with safe products!
We will finish up this post with a quick encouragement to remember to support your body for detoxing! It is a good idea to help your body detox these chemicals that you are exposed to out in the world, even if you keep your home a safe and healthy haven. Consider utilizing herbal and whole food supplements to help bind toxins and pull them out of your body and make infrared saunas and detox foot baths a regular part of your health routine. Add detoxing foods (like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, berries, garlic and onions) and herbal teas (dandelion and burdock root, ginger, and milk thistle) into your diet, get plenty of sleep, limit caffeine and alcohol, and prioritize exercise. Here are some products and services we recommend for detoxing!
Liva-Detox & Support – Heart + Sol
Amazing job sticking with this post! It contained a lot of information that is both overwhelming and unsettling. As always, making small continual changes eventually adds up to big lifestyle change. Take it at a pace that’s right for you and remember we are here to help you. Reach out with questions or concerns! Blessings on the journey!