Cleaning House
Target dirt, not your health
Ever cleaned your bathroom with a product containing bleach or other harsh chemicals, and then shortly after settled in for a long, relaxing soak in the tub? Sounds a little risky when it’s put that way, but most people do it all the time without thinking twice. If you wear gloves to keep cleaning chemicals away from your bare hands, you might not be comfortable bathing where there’s a possibility of leftover residue, or even letting the vapors into your home.
Your reasons for wanting nontoxic household cleaners can be many, from protecting the environment against ecosystem-disturbing phosphates to steering clear of non-renewables like petroleum. The health of your children might be your main concern. Injuries caused by exposure to toxic cleaning supplies are a real risk, happening hundreds of thousands of times a year in the U.S. alone. Exposure to cleaning products is one of the most common causes of poisoning for children and adults, and it’s estimated about 90 percent of poisonings occur in the home.
An increasing number of companies are coming out with nontoxic and eco-friendly cleaning products. Brands include Ecover, Method, Seventh Generation … well we could name them all day long; the point is there are lots to choose from and the myth that you need super-strong toxic chemicals to get your house really clean has finally been busted. Ecover’s dishwashing tablets have already broken through, tying for second place on the independent Consumer Reports’ best dishwasher detergents list. Their powder isn’t far behind in seventh.
With all the controversy over air freshener sprays and solids, finding a natural and nontoxic air freshener can help control your allergies or asthma while you feed your addiction to yummy scents. From plug-ins to non-aerosol sprays, these concoctions use aromatic essential oils to neutralize odors and leave your home smelling good, without inducing headaches.
When you do decide to do your cleaning au naturel, and no we don’t mean nude, you need to know how to avoid being taken in by bogus claims that a product has “natural” or “organic” ingredients but contains nothing of the sort. Knowing what to look for on the label will help you find the healthiest products for your needs and keep your entire home sparkling.
