No matter what is going on around us, it is important to stay grounded, take care of ourselves and our home, get off the computer for a while, get connected with ourselves, and be organized.
It’s spring, and time for a fresh start after the long, cold winter.
We’ve had the house all closed up, and now it’s time to air it out, let in some clean, fresh air, dust out the spiders or little critters that may have joined us for the winter, and brighten up our home and environment.
A few simple things to start with are:
1. Open up the windows and doors and let the fresh air into your house. Replace the filters of your air conditioning system.
2. Wash your windows. It can be an amazing way to make your home or office look clean and sparkling.
3. Bring in a beautiful plant to lift your spirits and help clean toxins out of the air.
4. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry.
5. Clean out all of the corners of the rooms (floor and ceiling), behind furniture (if you can), under furniture and beds.
6. De-clutter closets, rooms, drawers… Start to redistribute or throw out things that you haven’t used in a year or more, or that are old, stained, broken or don’t make you feel happy.
7. Wash curtains, bedding pads, turn mattresses, and freshen-up thoroughly.
8. Go through piles of paper, organize them into files, or discard them. I color-code my files so they are easier to find.
One thing to be aware of as you are doing your cleaning, is that most of our cleaning care products today are a mixture of synthetic chemicals, including known allergens. These products are based on age-old recipes, that used to include natural ingredients.
But over the years, many of our cleaning products have changed, and many of them now contain toxic, carcinogenic ingredients. These can cause health problems when we are exposed to them on a regular basis.
The federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, which governs the safety of cleaning and personal care products, does not require manufacturers to substantiate the safety of their products before selling them.
For example, some US soaps, detergents, shampoos and conditioners will often contain two chemical preservatives — methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone.
These chemicals have been banned in the European Union for use in personal care products, on the grounds that they are sensitizing allergens.
The U.S. has no restrictions, even though your skin is repeatedly exposed to these substances when used. Product labels can list “fragrance” as an ingredient. “Fragrance” is a generic term, which allows a number of carcinogenic chemicals to be added to a product in order to make it smell good, without having to be listed.
These chemical mixtures often contain toxic individual ingredients that have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and serious allergic reactions.
By using the term “fragrance” on the label, companies can avoid telling consumers the truth about what is actually in the product. If one company sells their products in Europe and in the US, they can make a particular product with two different recipes and two separate labels, but they will look virtually identical.
In Europe, where the regulation of ingredients in products is much stricter, the container will have to state that it contains seven known allergens in its “fragrance.” In the US, the list of known toxins is not required. As is the case with all (personal and household) products, companies can use almost any mixture of chemicals they choose.
The US federal law regulating the personal care and household products industry has one of the weakest regulatory programs in the world, and it remains almost unchanged since 1938.
The quality of the ingredients in your household cleaning products is extremely important. Buy environmentally safe, non-toxic home cleaners. If you would like to see a list of highly rated green products that are carefully rated by the EWG (a non-profit group that does independent analyses of products for their safety, non-toxicity, and effectiveness), click here.
Here is another thing to be aware of:
Since our pets and children are much lower to the ground, their faces and noses can pick up toxic chemicals much easier. This can cause many health problems, including nerve damage and allergies, since these toxins go directly into the bloodstream through the skin, without being filtered.
Household cleaners and body care items, such as soaps, detergents, household cleaners, toothpastes, shampoo, and conditioners should ideally be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, in order to protect you, your family, pets, friends and the environment.
Have you ever read the ingredients and warnings on your bottle of cleaner?
The other day, I was at a friend’s home and she had just mopped her floor. I got an immediate headache and started feeling sick. I asked her if I could look on the bottle of the cleaner she had used. The label on the bottle had a warning that stated if you breathe in the fumes of this product, to call the poison control immediately.
I told her that many of these cleaners are highly toxic and can cause more harm than good. She wanted to kill germs, so she thought she was doing the right thing.
Her grandchild crawling on the floor and her little 16-year-old dog, whose face is always very close to the floor, would be much better off if she used non-toxic cleaners.
Non-toxic cleaning can give you a wonderful feeling, knowing that your family’s and pet’s health is protected, and that your home is a place for everyone’s bodies to rest and regenerate in a clean, healthy environment.
You also might want to consider going back to making your own cleaning products, using completely safe, non-toxic ingredients. They are extremely easy to make, and very inexpensive. Invite your children to help you, like mixing recipes in the kitchen. (Make it a science project!)
Most of the ingredients are staples that you already have in your kitchen pantry. With a few simple mixtures, you can easily transform your house into a non-toxic, healthy home.
Non-Toxic Household Cleaner Recipes
Basic Cleaner for Surfaces
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) and White Vinegar
In a study conducted at Virginia Tech University on household cleaners that kill germs (including salmonella), the most effective cleaner was a combination of 3% hydrogen peroxide (like you purchase at the pharmacy) in conjunction with white vinegar. The hydrogen peroxide and vinegar were put into SEPARATE spray bottles. One was sprayed on a contaminated surface, immediately followed by the other. Used in this way, the sprays were more effective at killing germs than any store bought product. It didn’t matter which one was sprayed first, the vinegar or the peroxide.
DO NOT be tempted to combine the hydrogen peroxide and the vinegar in one bottle, because it results in peracetic acid, which is potentially harmful. Use the 3% hydrogen peroxide from the pharmacy instead of a food grade hydrogen peroxide, which is much stronger and needs to be used with extreme caution.
Window Cleaner
Combine 2 cups of water, 1⁄4 cup of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), 1⁄4 cup white vinegar, 2 tsp. corn starch and a 1⁄4 cup lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray this mixture on glass or windows, and wipe with a micro-fiber cloth.
Scrub for Counters, Sinks, and Stoves
Combine 2 cups baking soda, 1⁄2 cup Castile soap, 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin, and a few drops essential oil (lavender, peppermint, or tea tree). Store in a sealed jar.
Drain Opener
Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda into the drain, and then pour in 1⁄2 cup white vinegar. Let stand 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water.
Furniture Polish
Combine 1⁄4 cup olive oil with 1⁄2 cup white vinegar. Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Apply to furniture, and then wipe.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle the bowl of the toilet with baking soda and add in a little white vinegar. Wait 30 minutes. Then scrub. You can also add 1⁄4 cup borax.
Purchased Cleaners
I buy Thieves Household Cleaner, and other Thieves cleaners made by Young Living Oils. It is my favorite manufactured cleaner to use on the floor and walls. It is safe for septic systems, has no harsh chemical smell, and is effective for deep cleaning.
I also like non-toxic cleaner brands Mrs. Meyer’s, Seventh Generation, and Planet. I buy these non-toxic cleaners for dishwashers, laundry, dishes, and more.
Creating that healthy home and office environment that supports you and your family’s health and well-being can be extremely rewarding.
Don’t put it off another day.
Put on some uplifting music and start your clean cleaning today!
Notes:
1. If you would like more information about healthful cleaning, you can listen to my radio show (Organic Healthy Lifestyle) podcast with the green cleaning coach, Leslie Reichert, about non-toxic cleaning. Click here.
2. Click here to hear my podcast on hoarding, which has become such a problem today.
Nancy’s 7 books on Amazon are also in Audio and some of them are in Large Print:
https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Addison/e/B00E6K5KGY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Nancy’s website is: https://www.organichealthylife.com
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Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.
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