Are your cleaning products putting your health at risks?

As we continue the Toxins and Hormonal Imbalance Series, in this blog we will explore toxins in your cleaning products.

Do you really know what is in that cleaner that you use to clean your bathtub? The cleaner that you use on the floor? The bathroom cleaner? The febreeze and plug in air fresheners that so many people love and most can't live without?

I want you to stop reading right now and pull a few of your household cleaners and air fresheners and take a look at the ingredients. Wait...you don’t recognize half those ingredients and those are only the ones that the companies disclose; there are several others that companies are not required to include on their labels.

This blog is not intended to scare you, but to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

The truth is that the cleaning products in your home could result in a host of health issues because of the toxin build up in your body. They lower your thyroid functioning, contribute to cancer growth, and increase your toxic load.

You have the power to make the decision to use products that will not harm or put your health at risk by reducing use or getting rid of those toxic cleaning products by switching to green products or DIY with simple everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your home.

What you need to know about fragrances

Many products contain artificial fragrance which is the scent used to create a particular smell. Often these types of fragrances contain a group of chemicals known as phthalates. Phthalates are designed to help keep plastics soft, but they also cause fragrances to linger. Companies are quick to add these fragrance-preserving chemicals to their products in order to meet the demand of their customers.

However, frequent exposure to these phthalates can result in different problems such as the following:

Hormone Imbalance: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and obesogens. That is, they disrupt your hormones and could be the cause of that stubborn fat that you can’t seem to shed.

Weight Gain and Excess Estrogen: These products have estrogenic properties. When the level of estrogen in the body begins to increase, so does your weight. This could be the cause of weight on the hips and breasts that are difficult to lose. I have written about this in prior blogs.

Fertility Challenges: Because of the way the phthalates interact with the hormones in your body and cause disruption, you may experience fertility issues.

Cancer and Other Issues: Phthalates can make you fatigued, grumpy, and overweight. These endocrine disruptors can even lead to breast cancer.

Asthma and Histamine Reactions: Individuals who are sensitive to chemicals may find that the fragrances are simply too much for them to handle. The problem with fragrance is that it can cause histamine reactions and can spur worsening asthma symptoms as the scent lingers.

I can hear you now, so Deon, what am I supposed to use to clean and freshen my home? No worries, I got you covered with a few natural solutions that are safe and inexpensive.

Substitute DIY for your conventional air freshener

In a glass spray bottle, combine a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water. Shake before use to combine the water and oil as much as possible.Spritz around your home as needed.

Use a diffuser, combine a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water and diffuse in the desired areas of your home.

Substitute DIY for your conventional bathroom or kitchen cleaners

Pour Baking soda on the surface to be cleaned, add hydrogen peroxide allowing the fizz and bubbles to die down, then proceed to scrub and clean the surface. this is safe and effective without making you overweight or sluggish.

All-Purpose Lemon Cleaner

5–10 drops Lemon oil

1 cup water

1 cup vinegar

Natural Oven Cleaner

½ cup baking soda

1 tablespoon coarse salt

¼ cup liquid dish soap

5 drops Lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Combine ingredients to make a thick paste

Apply a generous layer to the inside of the oven and allow to sit for several hours

Clean with a sponge

Substitute DIY for your conventional fabric softener

Using baking soda and white vinegar and if desired, add your favorite essential oils (lavender is my preferred scent). These are simple products that are safe to use on clothes, safe for your skin, and are free of synthetic fragrances. Add a ¼ cup of each to your washing machine, add essential oil with water to the receptacle in the washing machine to keep clothes soft and eliminate static cling.

Until next time, start tossing those chemical laden products from your home.

In Good Health, ‘

deon

Source: BridgetDanner.com