The Dirt on Spring Cleaning + Products
WHAT ARE YOU CLEANING WITH?
WHAT ARE YOU CLEANING WITH?
Ahhh! Open those windows and breathe in that fresh spring air! 🌱 Spring is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about our spring cleaning checklists. ✔️ PS. I have a FREE checklist for you down below!
There’s just something about the nice weather that brings on motivation for a fresh start. So let’s get to it! But wait! ✋🏼 before you reach for those cleaners and get to work, let’s do a little digging into those ingredients, shall we?
Did you know?
Did you know?
In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home. With no federal regulations on ingredients in household products, the only way we can protect our families is to learn how to read labels ourselves.
Let’s take a look at the top 4 ingredients to avoid and why.
UP FIRST, AND THE BIG ONE...
1. FRAGRANCE
This first ingredient is a BIG ONE, but it is in just about every household product that we use daily. Synthetic scents or “fragrances” represent an unidentified mixture of ingredients, including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. 🥴 You can find these artificial scents in all kinds of body care and cosmetic products, as well as candles, air fresheners, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.😬
In general, there at least 3,000 ingredients that companies could use to form a product’s scent. According to the online “Transparency List” put out by the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group. It may seem unbelievable but the FDA does not even require fragrance and cosmetic makers to disclose exactly what they are using to scent products. 😮 Can you believe that?!
If companies are using truly natural ingredients, then why be shy? Many will say that their formulas are proprietary, and they don’t want other companies copying them. The FDA website also states how the agency cannot legally require companies to warn about allergens in cosmetics like they do with food.
Are you wondering why companies would continue to use synthetic scents if they’re so bad for our health?
Are you wondering why companies would continue to use synthetic scents if they’re so bad for our health?
The answer is straightforward — they are cheaper. Synthetic scents can be extremely cheap to give everything from shampoo to lotion to candles a desirable scent. Unfortunately, just because you enjoy a scent doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
2. PARABENS/PHTHALATES
Parabens are preservatives that mimic estrogen. Found in many cosmetics and personal care items. When combined with heregulin, a growth-promoting substance normally found in breast tissue, the effects are multiplied by 100x, 😳contributing to breast cancer, tumor growth, and excess breast tissue in men.
Phthalates are a low-cost endocrine-disrupting chemical that in lab studies has shown to interfere with hormone production in rats and mimic estrogen in human studies. They are commonly found in items like plastic food packaging, lotions, skin moisturizers, fragrance, cleaners, glues, and nail polish.
3. SLS - SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE
This chemical is used to de-grease car engines. It is also added to some toothpaste, soaps, detergent, skin products... it's in just about everything. 😟 It damages the kidneys, liver, teeth, endocrine system, causes hair loss, cataracts, ulcers, major toxicity, headaches, nausea, coughing, congestion, and more.
4. TRICLOSAN
An antibacterial agent registered as a pesticide by the EPA. Topical absorption has shown disturbances to the endocrine system and is believed to lead to birth defects and uncontrollable cell growth. It is commonly found in: soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, shave gel, first aid spray, kitchenware, and toys.
While there are many, many other ingredients that you will want to know about, these are TOP OFFENDERS to avoid!
As you go further on this low tox living journey, i'm certain you will learn about so many more.
DON'T PANIC!
Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and your journey of learning is just that, a journey. When we know better we can do better and baby steps all add up to BIG results! 🙌
The statistics and information that I shared with you can for sure feel overwhelming and disheartening, but please don't panic. We DO HAVE better alternatives. Natural cleaning products and DIYs are available to you! I will be sure to share more in future blogs, but for now...
I have a FUN 7-day Natural Spring Cleaning Challenge for you! 🫧
It's 7 Challenges in 7 Days, all sent right to your inbox with FANTASTIC info and cleaning prompts. Andddd did I mention that it's all for FREE! With accountability! (win, win 👏) Are you ready to join in??? Let’s DO IT!!!
Not into doing a challenge, but would like a FREE Spring Cleaning Checklist?
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DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any information provided to you on this site is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor. I am not in any way diagnosing, treating, prescribing, or claiming to cure anything. Any and all medical ailments/treatment plans should always be consulted with your physician. This information is my own personal experiences and personal research. You should always do your own research and decide with your physician what is best for you.
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