Non Toxic Cleaning Products - The Good And The Bad
Everyone seems to be talking about non toxic cleaning products and how important they are to our homes. Here are some simple tips on how to green up your home by getting rid of toxic cleaners and save money doing it!
What I didn't realize before I made the switch in my home was some of the insane stats around the use of these regular conventional household cleaners. It wasn't until I had a son who suffered from unexplained allergies, not seasonal allergies that I started to look for anything possible problems in my home. I had taken my son to many specialists and none of his allergies matched anything that was tested for.
Even with all the testing and knowledge we have in medicine now they left me with very few options. My son was taking up to 6 doses of medication a day by the time he was 5 years old. The problem was he had been on allergy medicine since 3 months so he was long to the medicines commonly given that are time released so they can be given once a day.
After years of trying different things I happened to watch something about the links of household cleaners and asthma. I started to wonder if the same might be the same for those who suffered from allergies.
I started doing just a little bit of research here is just some of the information I found:
In the most recent EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) studies 90% of our time is spent indoors now. Unfortunately, they have found that that air pollution is up to five times higher inside than outside. People who work inside the home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work outside the home. These EPA studies indicate that an elevated concentration of household chemicals persist in the air. They have found that long-term exposure to chemicals inside our homes may be harmful to us and our families.
It made me wonder if all of these facts are out there and even the EPA is warning us of these dangers why in the world are we using these products in our homes and more importantly it only took common sense to tell me they might be causing problems for my son!!
It seems pretty straight forward as to why nontoxic cleaning products are essential. If a product states on its label that you need rubber gloves and/or a mask to use the product that is a pretty good warning that you might want to steer clear!!
Why are non toxic cleaning products so important?
So I continued my research and I started with researching asthma. Some 20 million Americans have asthma. At this point on average one out of every 13 school-aged children has asthma. The asthma rates in children under age 5 have increased more than 160% from 1980-1994. What does this have to do with "nontoxic cleaning products'? Common household cleaners and appliances give off fumes that can potentially increase the risk of children developing asthma.
Asthma is just one of the many health problems directly affected or caused by common household cleaners. Others include headaches, nausea, chemical pneumonia, chronic lung damage, blood cell damage, bone marrow damage, kidney disease, liver disease, heart conditions and cancer. That's not mentioning all of the poison exposure statistics. It really is alarming when you think about it all!
So now we move onto the next problem with finding the right non toxic cleaning products?
With so many companies claiming to be "green" or "organic" it's hard to know who is telling the truth. The first thing you need to do is be an informed consumer. Go to National Institutes of Health Household Products Database and find out what you have in your home. You can simply enter a product name and find out the information you need. You can do the same with potential products. Please be aware that manufactures do not have to put all of the ingredients inside a product on the label. They can claim these are trade secrets so they are not listed.
Of the chemicals listed on labels consider the most harmful of all of the chemicals.
BUTYL CELLOSOLVE - Can cause irritation and tissue damage from inhalation. A person who spends 15 minutes cleaning scale off shower walls could inhale three times the acute exposure limit. It is most likely found in: All-purpose cleaners, cleaning wipes, degreasers, floor polish, rug shampoos, toilet bowl cleaners, tub and tile cleaners and window cleaners.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE- Inhalation is immediately irritating to the respiratory tract and contact can cause severe damage to the eyes, skin, mouth, and throat It can also cause liver and kidney damage. It is most likely found in: Dishwashing liquids, laundry products, oven cleaner, scouring cleansers and tub and tile cleaners.
HYDROCHLORIC ACID - Can cause severe damage to skin, can be harmful to health if inhaled and can be fatal if swallowed. It is most likely found in: Odor eliminators and toilet bowl cleaners.
I understand with all this information it can seem really intimidating finding the right non toxic cleaning products. Many people resort to mixing their own cleaners at home and while that does work it can get expensive and some of the commonly used alternatives can be hard on the surfaces in your home such as vinegar. If you would like to learn more about non toxic cleaning products I have put together a webinar with all the things I have learned.
If you would like to find out about my free webinar on non toxic cleaning products just simply visit http://simplygreenclean.com.
With the state of the economy many of us are having to cut back on household expenses. Sometimes the quality of the food we bring in for our families can be affected by that. Buying organic can get expensive, but it is very important when it comes to many items on our menus.
Why is organic healthier?
Studies suggest organic produce has more nutrients than it's conventional counterparts. Why? The soil used for organic produce is typically better. It is taken care of and not used for constant repeated planting. Organic produce does not contain pesticides so there is no residue left on the fruit or vegetable after washing it. Non-organic fruits and vegetables are grown with potentially toxic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers.
Even low levels of pesticide consumed over time can be problematic. A study in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, for instance, found that people who had been exposed to low levels of pesticides were 1.13 times as likely to have Parkinson's disease as those who had never been exposed. Other studies have also linked pesticides to health problems including:
Cancer Fertility Problems Brain Tumors Childhood Leukemia Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Birth defects Irritation to skin and eyes Hormone or endocrine system problems Nervous system damage
With that in mind there are some decisions that can be made as to what you need to buy organic and what you can get away with not buying organic.
When it comes to meat and dairy organic is just as important as produce. When any animal is raised either for slaughter or for milk, eggs etc there are factors that come into play with how that animal is raised and how it is taken care of. In the latest USDA meat inspector report it was found that the government is failing to even test 4 of the most harmful chemicals the law requires when inspecting meat. Contaminants can be found in meat and dairy from a variety of sources. One that I never even thought of is how the animals are fed.
While shopping for eggs I used to think it was really silly that someone would buy free range eggs. I thought this meant the chicken was so much happier because they were not kept in a cage so you pay more for the eggs..the real truth in all of this is what they are fed!
The way most animals are raised to be used for our food there are MANY things you have to worry about. First, the grain they are fed is laced w/pesticides which the animal eats. You can exactly wash those off. Second, many animals are injected hormones and/or antibiotics to speed up growth and ensure the animal is at the largest size possible. This would increase revenue for the farmer however, it's not exactly the healthiest way to raise animals that humans ingest.
Here are some important things to remember when purchasing meat.
Beef fat contains 10 different pesticide that can be identified (those are just the ones we can identify)
Pork meat can be contaminated but pork fat is more likely to be contaminated w/as many as 8 pesticides
In chicken the thigh is the most contaminated.
When shopping for meat it's important to look for certified organic..meaning it meats the USDA standards for feed and given no hormones or antibiotics. Searching out grass fed ensures the animal was fed a natural diet. An alternative is looking for a local farmer so you can find out directly how the animals are raised.
Hormones and pesticides are just as likely to be found in milk also. Milk Pesticides and other man made chemicals are found in breast milk so it's no surprise that chemicals are found in our milk. 12 different pesticides have been identified in milk and milk is a staple of our diet especially for children. Looking for organic milk can be very important. Organic dairies can not feed their cows with grains grown with pesticides nor can they give antibiotics and/or growth hormones.
Now reading all of this can be kind of scary. The price of organic is a huge factor in many consumers decisions. I thought I would do a little research on what you really SHOULD buy organic and what is not as important to balance the budget a little for everyone. I did find that meat and dairy are two of the most important to buy organic. Those are two of the most expensive items on most people's grocery list. An alternative would be to have maybe one meal a week without meat. Get a little creative with the menu.
Here is some information to take based on the latest study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non profit research organization.
Here are some of the vegetables or fruits that you SHOULD buy organic:
Peaches - Peaches are one of the most contaminated fruits. 62 pesticides were detected in the residue after washing
Apples - 42 pesticides found in residue
Blueberries - 52 pesticides
Bell Peppers - 49 pesticides
Celery- Celery has no protective skin so it makes it next to impossible to get all contaminants off.
Strawberries - 59 pesticides were detected in residue.
Spinach - 48 different pesticides
Kale
Cherries 42 different pesticides
Potatoes 37 different pesticides
Grapes (only imported) if you buy domestic you are ok.
These were LEAST likely to have pesticides detected on the parts you eat...this is AFTER washing..so if you are on a budget and can not buy everything organic trying not using so many of the upper fruits and vegetables and use more of these:
Eco Filter- Washable Furnace Filter I was out at the hardware store yesterday picking up some things and I came across this great new product! With the heat of summer kicking in we all need to be changing our filters a little more often since units are running a lot more. This will keep your unit performing at it's peak. I have heard that you do need to change your filter at least every 4 weeks. If you do the math that's 12 filters costing anywhere from $10-$20 depending on the type you use. I use the type for allergies and asthma as a lot of parents do they are a bit on the pricey side. Low or high side that still puts your cost at $120-240 a year and that is for one year.
In researching this product it is said to last around 6 years. You use the filter as normal but then every 4 weeks or so you take it out and wash it off. Then you put it right back in. The price of the eco filter that I have found is $19.97. You may be able to shop around and find it cheaper. Now you do the math!! That's a ton of money you save.
Here are the perks...
It's adjustable so if you move chances are it will fit your new furnace.
We all know that cleaning isn't always green. That fact holds true for your laundry too. The average household does around 400 loads of laundry a year. I know I am on the high side of that stat! We consume on average 13,500 gallons of water to do that laundry. Most detergents contain solvents, optical brighteners, surfactants, colorants and builders..in short, pollutants.
Our washing machines expend a lot of energy, especially when you are washing in warm water. Dryers are even worse than the washers. On average they consume 875 kilowatts per years. That is 6-10% of the total residential power usage.
That is a lot of bad news..so let's get to the good news. There are a few small changes you can make to make a huge difference. This will green up your home and the environment plus save some money on your electric bill.
- Start by switching to an environmentally friendly detergent - When you are ready to replace your washer and/or dryer switch to an Energy Star appliance.
Changing your detergent will help keep toxins out of your home and your body. When toxins are on your clothing they transfer not only to the skin but can transfer to the bloodstream as well.
Switching to an Energy Star appliances will help reduce the water and electricity you are using. Energy Star appliances use 30% less energy than a regular model and save more than 7,000 gallons of water a year.
Last tip...run only full loads of laundry and use cold water whenever it is possible. About 90% of the energy used when doing laundry is for heating the water. Cold water is just as effective as using warm water. I have only washed my laundry in cold water for over 10 years when no problems. Another plus is cold water prevents clothes from fading!
If you can hang your clothes out to dry. I just put up a makeshift clothesline in my sunroom. The sun breaks down stains and also will not wear down your clothes the way your dryer does. When I put up my clothes line in the spring it cost a total of $7 the rope hooks everything.
For more information on environmentally friendly laundry detergent and more money saving green tips visit http://www.SwitchYourHouse.com
This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the green movement has become a World Wide phenomenon!
Lots of political positioning and posturing for different hidden agendas with buzz words like Global Warming, in my humble opinion, have sort of muddied the waters a bit and have caused many people to lose focus on what should be the central message of the day...
COMMON SENSE!!!
Doesn't it just make good common sense that we should ALL do everything we can to leave this place a little better for our kids and grand kids than the way we were blessed with it??!!
Forget all the other stuff for a minute, THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE WE GOT!!
I know we are looking for water on Mars and thinking of Condos on the moon but really, who could afford a weekend get a way with the current price of Rocket Fuel?!
FACE IT! We are stuck here and it would probably be a really good idea to pick up the place!
So..today in honor of Earth Day I am going to share 50 easy tips to go green that will either not cost you any more than you already spend or my personal favorite, save you money.
Simple Tips For Around The House
Clean the lint screen in your dryer after every use.
Turn off the lights you don’t need, especially when you’re leaving a room.
Use power strips and turn them off when not in use.
Air-dry clothes rather than using the dryer.
Use rechargeable batteries. (they are even making C batteries rechargeable in certain places which will save you a lot of cash when powering children's toys)
Close curtains in the summer to keep out the sun.
Open curtains in the winter to let the sun in.
Put on a sweater instead of turning on the heat.
Weather strip and caulk.
Find a Freecycle group to trade with. Freecycle is a network of people actively looking to reuse things rather than throw them away. Essentially, people are giving the things they can’t sell away for free to others who may want or need them. Sometimes there’s some trading involved, so it’s a win-win for everyone. If you want to find a group in your area, check out their website
When purchasing new appliances, go with energy efficient ones. Energy Star appliances are the most highly recommended...cash in on the tax savings right now
Light bulbs. If you are above the curve already in switching to CFLs then as those go out..which I am still waiting on. My oldest CFL is almost 4 years old and still going. But as they go out replace with LED bulbs..I will have the updated energy efficiency dollars coming soon for you
Take the stairs rather than the elevator.
Keep dampers closed on furnace and fireplace when not in use.
Use cold water to wash clothes whenever possible.
Use filtered water rather than bottled water. (please do not buy bottled water..more information click here)
Insulate your water heater – unless specifically instructed not to do so.
Donate clothes or pass them on. You would be surprised how many clothes are sitting in landfills.
Use environmentally friendly cleaners instead of chemicals.
Decorate with plants to absorb indoor pollution. Saves a lot of money on doctor bills!
Make the most of gifts..Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper..most people will reuse them.
Use candles instead of air freshener. Air fresheners can poison pets and cause problems with your own health. (Click Here To Research Healthy Candle Choices)
Always use reusable mugs. Usually there is a price break for doing so.
Shop at second hand stores for clothing.
Donate your books to the library or to local shelters.
Participate in recycling programs in your community. -- While reducing packaging should be your #1 goal whenever possible, recycle what you have. You would be surprised by a simple Google search how many local programs may receive benefits by your recycling in a designated area, especially schools. For example our school receives money for paper recycled. Once a week when I have to pick up my daughter at jazz band anyway I drop that recycling off. Another school in our area receives benefits for any recycling (which includes cardboard recycling which can be hard to find) we go there once a week anyway for softball practice. I take whatever cardboard have and fill up the rest my recycling container with other things and drop if off there. I am already driving there anyway so someone mind as well benefit from the recycling that I would have done anyway.
At Home Or The Office
Subscribe to online newspapers.
Send e-cards rather than actual cards that will just get thrown away anyway.
Use spell check before printing out documents to avoid excessive reprinting.
Direct deposit your checks to save on paper and trips to the bank.
Download music instead of buying CDs. Most CDs go obsolete within a few years and end up in the landfills.
E-mail the office memo rather than passing out paper. -- Our school has been doing this for important notes this year for the parents who have the ability to receive email. It's good not only in the fact it saves the district money on paper, but it ensures I get the important notes.
Recycle ink and toner cartridges. Some office supply stores are even offering a discount towards your next purchase if you bring in your old cartridges.
Use a manual pencil sharpener.
Embrace technology, ditch the post its and written lists whenever possible. I am a list MUST HAVE girl. All the smart phones offer applications for list making if you are a chronic list maker like myself. Or use can use a simple notepad on your phone for free. Use it for to do lists, grocery lists anything you can think of. There are many places online that you can do the same thing and keep your notes organized. (watch for post on using these effectively between your home computer and your phone)
When You Are Out And About
Buy locally grown produce. Cheaper shipping means you get a better price!
Go with fresh produce instead of canned or prepackaged.
Do NOT use plastic bags.There are reusable bags everywhere now and will not cost you a lot of money switch over a little at a time. When I first started I bought 1 a month until I had enough. With kids you need a lot of bags!
Dedicate yourself to buying things that have been recycled whenever possible. I have found in research many of the popular products that are available post-recycling the recycled version is either very close in price if not the same.
Create a recycling center in your car. A lot of people have a trash bag in their car..why not a bag for recycling.
Purchase the product with the least packaging. Sometimes it's better to buy in bulk because of that. Weigh that decision with coupons etc to decide which is best for you with each product.
In The Kitchen
Use reusable containers for leftovers. Avoid storage bags and foil.
Unplug all the little appliances you are not using.
Reduce what you throw away. Studies show that American’s throw out an average of 4.4 pounds of trash per day, yet only a pound of that is recycled, composted, or reused. Landfills are brimming to the top with garbage that could otherwise have been put to better use. Incinerators are releasing harmful toxins in the air. And, having either of these in your area seriously devalues the price of your home.
Use wash cloths to clean a mess rather than paper towels.
Use reusable containers for lunches. I use small reusable containers for my kids lunches now that I am in the habit.
Cover saucepans with lids to reduce cooking time.
Don’t peek in the oven. You lose 25% of the heat in the oven every time you open the door.
Ok kids..Decide what you want BEFORE opening the refrigerator door
Fill the dishwasher before running it.
Turn off the heated dry on your dishwasher
If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs
In The Yard
Pull weeds instead of using chemicals.
Use natural and organic pest control methods.
Build a bird house to attract bug-eating birds.
If you have a chronic weed problem in a certain area use a pan of hot boiling water and dump it on them. It will kill the roots as well without chemicals.
So there are some tips to get your thinking!
Also check out my Earth Day spot light for the month of April
We are all educating ourselves more and more about the toxins that we expose ourselves to voluntarily in our day to day lives by our product choice. However, sometimes toxins can be hiding where you would not even suspect they might be. One that has been brought to light is the use of a chemical called Formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a is a colorless gas compound (HCHO) that is known as a carcinogen, meaning that it causes cancer. It is an allergen that can also irritate your eyes, mucous membranes (eyes, nose and throat) and the upper respiratory system. It can also cause headaches, rashes, hives (blistery, white, and itchy), dizziness, nausea, and chronic fatigue. Some other symptoms include: heart palpitations, ear infections, trouble sleeping, memory loss, trouble focusing, depression, weakness, migraines, abdominal pain, aching joints and muscles, and difficulty breathing.
Sounds like a pretty scary thing right? What's even scarier is what it is in!
Formaldehyde is found in MANY personal care products. What's even worse...it's in even more infant care products as well. We are exposing our newborn babies to this is hospitals when they are born even. This is NOT across the board. These are specific companies that manufacture their personal care products with Formaldehyde. What makes it even trickier is that Formaldehyde comes in many forms so it's not going to be listed as the word Formaldehyde on the product, making it harder for consumers to pinpoint which ones do contain the toxin.
Formaldehyde can be found in hundreds of products, including cosmetics, paper, wood and clothes. Simply touching those products, or just breathing the formaldehyde they release into the air, can cause intense symptoms. Your best defense is to limit exposure to this chemical. Here are a few that I have found so far.
Shampoo
Avon Kids 2-in-1 Super Gentle Shampoo for Normal Hair
One-a-Day Kids Scooby-Doo Multivitamin plus Calcium
Is there any better reason to choose Shaklee products? You can be sure the safety and HEALTH of your family is Shaklee's goal! Shaklee products are unique ...Shaklee shampoos, conditioners, vitamins, handy wipes and children's vitamins, DO NOT contain formaldehyde!
I am a full time stay at home mom of two beautiful kids.
I love spending most of my time helping other people find success working from home part time. I myself used to work a full time job with 40+ hours a week and I found myself in a situation where I needed to be at home with my children and also widowed so there was no other income coming in.
I enjoy what I do now very much. I enjoy being able to be around for every school function and not having to choose who I am going to call when one of my kids are sick because I have to go to work. I really appreciate what a home business has provided me.
I am recently remarried and am very happy:) I love to help other people see the same thing and really start to enjoy their lives not just live.
So if you want the same thing no matter what age you are it's up to you to make a change in your life. Don't ever sit around and wait as time is not guaranteed to us. Start living today. If I have been able to find success you will be able to too!
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