Ideally, your home should be a safe-haven, where you can go to unwind, unplug, and decompress. It should be a place that feels safe and brings you joy.
So let’s go even deeper to create that! Studies are showing that one of our biggest exposures to toxic chemicals is through household cleaners. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy fix.
You can still have a clean home and increase your health in the process! Read on for how.
Here are the top 5 chemicals to avoid in store-bought or industrial cleaners (Yes, even some of the “green” ones!):
1. Chlorine. Chlorine is reactive and has been known to be a cause of bladder and rectal cancers.
2. Ammonia. Ammonia is a known eye and lung irritant. It creates a deadly gas when combined with chlorine.
3. Glycol ethers. Glycol ethers, such as butoxyethanol, are in window cleaners. These are known endocrine disruptors and can also harm the eyes, skin, kidneys, and blood.
4. Fragrance. “Fragrance” means a petroleum-based chemical such as pthalate styrene. These chemicals act as xenoestrogens, blocking estrogen receptors in the body and causing hormonal imbalances, as well as cause certain types of cancers.
5. Triclosan and other antibacterial additives. These are potent xenoestrogens that block estrogen receptors, cause hormone imbalance, and have a negative effect on the entire endocrine system. (Not to mention that anything antibacterial kills your gut bacteria, as well!)
Image © Precious Plastic Melbourne / Unsplash
What you can do about it:
• Carefully check labels, avoiding products containing these and other harmful chemicals.
• Contact the companies that make your favorite products, asking them to find alternatives to their toxic ingredients or make cleaner versions of their products.
• Make your own cleaning products at home. Perhaps the best, healthiest, and most cost-effective option. There's plenty of information available on line and most use common household items as ingredients. These homemade cleaners are much less expensive than the pre-made ones!
Your home should be a clean safe-haven in all the ways—physically and energetically.
These simple shifts can do just that and will have a huge and lasting impact on your health and the health of your family and pets!