The next time you get ready to clean up that spill, you might want to step back for moment and think about exactly what you are about to do. Using even just a drop of certain household cleaners we’ve deemed safe for years, can actually be doing more harm than good. Although they do kill germs and bacteria as they claim to, many cleaners we use in our home are actually quite toxic. Not just when they’re swallowed either – many chemicals inside cleaners can very easy travel from the surface you pour them out onto right into your nose and airways. Just take a look below at all the problems these common cleaners can cause, short and long term.
- Respiratory Problems There’s a reason most cleaners warn you not to breathe them in while cleaning. Most household cleaners contain harmful fumes that dull your senses over time. That is why after cleaning with a certain cleaner for a few months or years, the smell doesn’t bother you as much anymore. Harmful effects can be breathing problems later in life, exacerbated asthma problems, and breathing in possible carcinogens. Potency is increased when cleaners are mixed, and doing so can cause poisonous fumes.
- Circulatory Problems Our circulatory systems are very efficient at circulating fluids throughout our body. When those are our natural fluids, that is a good thing, but when we absorb chemicals into our bodies, whether it’s through our pores or our mouths, that is a bad thing. Chemicals are circulated all throughout your system and can cause serious problems both immediately (like poisoning) and later in life.
- Bone Marrow Problems Bone marrow can become damaged with repetitive exposure to many cleaners. Over time they can dissolve marrow, making it possible for all sorts of problems with weakened bones.
- Kidneys and Liver Problems Kidneys and liver can become damaged by cleaning products, just as they can become damaged by alcohol. The danger here is that we absorb these chemicals unknowingly by breathing them in, and absorbing them through our pores.
- Disease Chances are you’ve heard of carcinogens – dangerous agents that are directly connected to causing cancer. Many of these molecules are found within these cleaners, and can cause serious side effects with continued use.
What to Look For
So you may be wondering what exactly you should look for. While many cleaners are considered safe, they really should not be used in the common household – it’s just not necessary. You would also be surprised how many supposed ‘natural’ cleaners on store shelves contain harmful chemicals. Below are just a few of the chemicals to look out for.
- Phenols
- Chlorinated phenols
- Diethylene glycol
- Nonylphenol ethoxylate
- Formaldehyde
- Butyl cellosolve
- Perchloroethylene
- Petroleum solvents
Natural Alternatives
So what are you to do when you need to give your house a really good cleaning, but don’t want to pile on these harmful chemicals for you and your family? You can easily conjure up some simple cleaners that clean, kill bacteria and shine windows and more, quickly and easily using natural ingredients. Take a look below at all our natural recipes, made with basic household ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
Disinfectant
When you want to really disinfect a surface – be it your bathroom floor or your kitchen sink, vinegar is your best bet! Adding some baking soda really activates it and acts as an ‘oxygenating’ ingredient – much like those foaming cleaners you see on the shelf. Just use 5 parts hot water, 1 part vinegar, and ¼ part baking soda. This cleaner can also be bottled up and sprayed! If you’d like a different scent, just add little essential oil.
Glass Cleaner
Mix in a spray bottle:
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cups water
- 8 drops essential oil for scent
Just spray it over glass or windows for a streak-free clean!
Furniture Polish
To give your furniture that shine and lemony smell, just combine:
- Juice from half a lemon
- Double amount of olive oil (more than lemon)
- Small amount of vinegar
Spray on and wipe as you would with furniture polish.
Air Freshener (Fauxbreeze)
No need to spray harmful chemicals all over your home! Just mix together about 10-15 drops of essential oil and about 1 cup vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and spray away!
Disinfectant Wipes
If you love the convenience of cleaning wipes, then these will easily replace them for a healthier and cheaper alternative!
You’ll need:
- An old cloth, t-shirt or sheet to cut up
- A container to keep wipes in (old baby wipe containers work well!)
- Vinegar, 2 tbsp
- Water, 1 cup
- Tea Tree Oil, 8-10 drops
- Scented essential oil for scent, 5 drops
Cut up the cloth into convenient sized squares. Fill the container with all of the ingredients and pile the wipes in. Close the top of the container and mix everything up.
The post Nix Harmful Household Cleaners and Replace Them Naturally appeared first on BōKU® Superfood.