Clean Green

I always wondered why cleaning gave me such a headache.  But, now I realize that it wasn't the actual cleaning that gave me a headache----it was the chemicals I used to clean! 

I have always used the classic cleaning products to clean --- Lysol, Tylex, Ajax, Windex, Clorox wipes, and the little scrubbing bubble guys.  Recently, I did some research on the toxins that these products contain and I have come to the realization that I may be doing more harm than good by using these products---they contain toxic chemicals that could severely affect my respiratory system, cause skin and eye irritation, long-term negative affects on the environment, the toxic air quality they produce, and the toxic residue they leaves behind. 

Certain cleaning products, detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning wipes, and air fresheners have chemicals that are not only toxic to inhale, but contain pesticides which are harmful for our health.  I have always held the notion that if something smelt clean --- more chances than not it is clean, yet I never considered that just because something is clean ---doesn't mean that it is not harmful to my health.   

I did some research on "green" cleaning products and non-toxic cleaning products from places like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and even Target.  Their "green" products use non-harmful chemicals and clean with a more "organic" and natural approach using natural cleaning agents.  I also came across this cleaning product line that cleans with Enzymes instead of any chemicals and is only sold online.  The company is called Wowgreen and their website is: http://www.wgresidential.com/.  They sell completely toxin-free cleaning agents and even their packaging is green.  They sell small packets of their concentrated cleaning enzymes and you mix the packet with water in a spray bottle and use the spray bottle to apply their product. 

Below are some hidden dangers of typical cleaning products/fresheners that you may use everyday:

AIR FRESHENERS: interfere with your ability to smell by releasing nerve-deadening agents or coating nasal passages with an oil film, usually methoxychlor, a pesticide that accumulates in fat cells. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener are formaldehyde, a highly toxic, known carcinogen, and phenol.

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: may contain triclosan, which is absorbed through the skin and can be tied to liver damage.

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS: Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated. The #1 cause of household poisoning is dish detergent. Dishwashing liquids are labeled "harmful if swallowed." Each time you wash your dishes, some residue is left on them, which accumulates with each washing, and your food picks up part of the residue.

FURNITURE POLISH: contain petroleum distillates, which are highly flammable and can cause skin and lung cancer. They contain nitrobenzene, which is easily absorbed through the skin and extremely toxic.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: Laundry detergents contain phosphorus, enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, sodium nitilotriacetate and countless other chemicals. These substances can cause rashes, itches, allergies, sinus problems and more. The residue left on your clothes, bed sheets, etc. is absorbed through your skin, as is everything else you touch.

I urge you to give "green" cleaning ("greaning") a shot! Improve your air quality, limit the toxins and chemicals you absorb into your body, and clean your home with the ease that no toxic chemical residue is left behind.