How Toxic Are My Cleaners?
At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, your run of the mill cleaners are incredibly toxic! According to the American Lung Association, the ingredients in most commercial solutions, sprays, and scrubs can:
Be air pollutants
Be harmful chemicals
Be flammable or corrosive
Irritate eyes and throat
Cause headaches
Contribute to health problems like chromic respiratory problems and allergic reactions
Common Cleaners can cause or contribute to:
asthma
irritation to eyes and airways
headaches
dizziness
poisoning
bronchitis
cancer
skin irritation
hormone inbalances
and more….
These common cleaners were rated by the Environmental Working Group….and they didn’t do well! (If you use them, no worries, I’m going to help you make this switch! I used these for years before I learned better options!)
Rated F (highest rating):
Ajax, Charlie’s Soap, Clorox, CVS, Fabuloso, Green Works, Lysol, Mr. Clean, Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles, Simple Green, Soft Scrub, SOS, Swiffer, Tiles, Trader Joe’s, Up & Up, WalMart, Windex
Brace yourself…manufacturers aren’t even legally required to list all ingredients. It sounds crazy, but toxic ingredients could be lingering in your laundry detergents and floor cleaners without you knowing about it. For example, some products such as carpet cleaners and dishwasher liquid release VOCs—volatile organic compunds. Experts say that some VOCs can irritate eyes, nose, and throat; create difficulty breathing and nausea; and cause harm to the central nervous system and organs.
“But I’ve used them all my life, I’m fine!”
Are you? Are you fine? Could these toxins be contributing to your hormone struggles? Your recurring coughs? Your headaches? Your kids eczema?
Check Labels
The simplest way to get the job done…check labels. Products can be greenwashed, meaning they have packaging that advertises as ‘green’ or ‘natural’ but sneak unwelcome ingredients into their formulas. To read my article on greenwashing, click here.
Ok, ok…so how to I keep my home clean without all this scary, hazardous stuff?
We use Thieves Cleaner in our home! Thieves Household Cleaner can and will replace ALL other cleaning products, saving you time and money and space under your sink. To see all my favorite DIYs using Thieves, read this!
Another question I often get, “But is it expensive?”
No! It actually costs less than what I was buying before! Diluted 1:30, one bottle of Thieves Household Cleaner concentrate will make more than 28 bottles of cleaner. That is less than $1 a bottle. That is for each bottle of completely natural, non-toxic, and very effective cleaning solution for every room in your house! Thieves cleaner can and will replace ALL other cleaning products, saving your time and money and space under your sink.
If you’re ready to get started with Thieves there are two options I recommend!
First option: Thieves Home Loyalty Bundle
This has everything you need to clean your house and more! Including some oils we love for cleaning and my favorite laundry soap! Check that out here!
Second option: Start with Thieves Household Cleaner
If you just want to start with the basic cleaner, you can do that too! Shop here!
And as always, if you have questions for me, contact me!
XO
Sarah