Welcome Spring....but NOT the cleaning!! 😜

Raise your hand if you hate cleaning….

especially SPRING cleaning! 🖐

I do too!! Now you can put your mind at ease that you are doing the right thing for you and your family.

Here is a list of the TOP 5 TOXIC CHEMICALS found in our every day household cleaners, that you should really try to avoid:

1) Phthalates - This chemical can usually can be found in anything containing “fragrance”. You won’t find it on the labels but if it isn’t natural and it is really smelly, it likely contains phthalates. Phthalates are an endocrine disruptor, which basically means it messes around with your hormones. A better alternative is “Fragrance-free”, “Organic” or something homemade.

2) Chlorine - This chemical is usually found in scouring powders and harsher cleaners like toilet bowl cleaners and laundry soaps. Chlorine is a huge issue when it comes to your respiratory system and it disrupts your thyroid function. We are exposed to this chemical all the time through inhalation and through our skin. For a healthy alternative, try using baking soda or vinegar plus Borax for whitening and deep cleaning.

3) Ammonia - This chemical can usually be found in polishes and window cleaners. This can cause major breathing disorders, especially in asthmatics and the elderly as it is almost always inhaled. When combined with bleach, it actually becomes a poisonous gas!! Try using toothpaste to polish and one part vinegar with one part water for glass cleaning.

4) Triclosan - This chemical is usually found in “anti-bacterial” products such as hand soaps, dish soaps and toothpastes. Triclosan has been found to be harmful to the immune system, disrupt your hormones and actually contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant germs. Healthier alternatives are simple detergents, that you understand the ingredient list or look for alcohol-based versus Triclosan.

5) Perchloroethylene or ‘PERC” - This chemical is usually found in dry-cleaning solutions, carpet cleaners, upholstery cleaners and spot cleaners. This chemical is considered a possible carcinogen (cancer-causing), may cause dizziness, loss of coordination and other awful side effects. Look for safer products that are made of natural ingredients or you can try Castile soap directly on stains before laundering.

For more information on clean products for the home and beauty, there is a great not for profit organization called the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This organization is made up by a number of expert volunteers that work very hard to protect us from harmful products, misleading labels, ill-treatment of workers, among other injustices. I encourage you to visit www.ewg.com to learn more about this awesome organization.

For further information on this or if you have any questions, please contact me at Tammy@myinnerself.ca or 1+416.428.4661.

~ Tammy