Clean And Green; Nontoxic Cleaning

 

 

Most people think that a clean house means a healthy house but for the average home this cleanliness comes at the expense of exposing their families to hundreds of toxic chemicals which makes it more like a house of toxins which is far from healthy. Toxic chemicals in everything from laundry detergent, dishwasher soap and bathroom cleaners, to name just a few, can contribute to an array of health problems such as allergies, sinus problems, asthma and headaches. For more data on these chemicals read my post How Toxic Is Your Home? For those with children it is even worse for them since their immune systems are more fragile. Don't forget about our four-legged friends, pets are also exposed to these chemicals and due to their shorter life span they are even more affected by these toxic chemicals. They play on lawns that have been sprayed with toxic chemicals, put things in their mouths they should not and drink tap water that is full of chemicals including pharmaceuticals.

The majority of household cleaners and detergents use chemicals that are petroleum based which also increases our nation's dependence on imported oil. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found that one-third of the substances used in the fragrance industry are toxic. This includes fragrances in laundry detergent, cleaners (glass, bathroom, furniture polish, etc) and also things such as fabric softeners and air fresheners.

You can eliminate these toxins by cleaning your home with cleaning products that are green. Green means to use products and methods that won't negatively impact the environment with pollution and toxins or deplete natural resources. In the case of your home it helps to limit your exposure to these harmful chemicals that can affect your health. The more toxins and chemicals that are dumped into the environment the more you get exposed through the food you eat, the air you breathe, etc. When you use that tub and tile cleaner or wash your clothes with that "fresh" smelling laundry detergent or bleach your towels all of those chemicals are washed down the drain into our water systems where they filter out into the ground, our oceans and our air.

Going green can be a little confusing. There are a lot of products that label themselves as "natural" or "organic" and are not. Up until recently, there have been very few household cleaning products and laundry detergents that were actually organic. There is a company now called Greenology products that have the first USDA certified organic label on all their products(this is the only true organic label) including the first laundry detergent to be certified as such. You can check out their website at www.greenologyproducts.com  There is a place to type in your zip code and it will tell you the nearest store where you can buy their products. Surprisingly, Lowes in San Antonio carries their products. 

Getting rid of all the toxic cleaning products in your home (don't forget about your office as well) is huge step in going green and improving the health of your family. It is not that difficult to do. Good news Kermit, it just got easier to be green!