Toxic Chemicals Found in Your Household Cleaners

If you have an asthmatic child, like I do, you will want to read this one.  My son had numerous triggers that would set off his wheezing.  It took time, but we finally figured out that the chemical cleaners we were using were sending him into coughing fits.

Even if you have the healthiest diet, the best exercise regimen, and stellar methods for minimizing stress, but if you aren’t addressing the white elephant in the room – toxins – you are likely sabotaging your best efforts.

Try these shocking statistics on for size: Did you know that household cleaners account over 10% of all toxic exposures reported to US Poison Control Centers? Also, the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals. Furthermore, there was a study published in Environmental Science & Technology that found 66 endocrine disrupting compounds in regular old household dust.

While we cannot completely avoid toxins, we can take steps to significantly reduce our exposure. Here are just some toxic chemicals that are possibly under your sink right now:

Phthalates

You know that beautiful smelling lavender air freshener you have in your bedroom? Chances are it contains phthalates. Usually listed as “fragrance”, phthalates give your air fresheners, soap and sometimes toilet paper that “nice scent”. As a result of this smell wafting through your home, you could be increasing your risk for cancers, obesity, infertility, early puberty, pregnancy issues, and diabetes because phthalates are endocrine disruptors.

Triclosan

Triclosan is that antibacterial agent found in dish and hand soap. You’re probably thinking what’s wrong with that? While the antibacterial craze is still around, we have be warned by many that this actually does more harm than good. Antibacterial products promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Triclosan is also being studied for possibly being an endocrine disruptor and carcinogen.

2-Butoxyethanol

Say what? 2-butoxyethanol is found in your window and other multi-purpose cleaners, spray lacquers, enamels, varnishes, and latex paints. And despite being impossible to pronounce, it’s actually considered a hazardous substance in California and is required to be diluted in Canada. It was approved by the FDA, therefore it’s all is good…right? No. After being inhaled, 2-butoxyethanol can lead to sore throat, pulmonary edema, and liver and kidney damage.

Ammonia

Chances are you’ve heard of ammonia. It’s a polishing agent that is used often in glass cleaners because it does not leave streaks. What it does leave – lung and breathing problems.

Clean Alternatives

Rather than using toxic chemicals to clean your home, there are more natural options. To clean your home naturally, check out doTERRA, which is the brand I use in my home. Their OnGuard line of products are effective and provide natural protection against environmental factors while elevating the overall cleaning capability (and they smell A-mazing!). They include:

• Cleaner concentrate
• Hand soap
• Laundry detergent

Click here to get your non-toxic cleaning product bundle and wholesale membership from doTERRA at 25% off.

Another option is the 7th Generation brand of cleaners that you can purchase here on Amazon.

Furthermore, to combat dust in your home, be sure to follow these best practices:

• Remove shoes upon entering. Any number of toxins can be tracked in on your soles, so it’s best to leave them at the door.
• Get rid of your feather duster; all it does is move toxins around!  Rather, use a wet dust or use a microfiber cloth, which traps dust and ensures its ultimate removal from your home.

DIY Cleaners

Looking to save some money? You can always make your own cleaning solutions. Here are a few DIY cleaners for your kitchen and bath:

Disinfecting Spray – mix 5-6 drops lemon essential oil with 1oz water in a spray bottle. Shake well.

Counter Cleaner – mix 1-2 drops melaleuca essential oil to a damp rag and use to wipe down counters or tables.

Deodorizing Spray – place 5 drops grapefruit oil and 1 drop peppermint oil in a 1oz spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Shake well and spray into the air.

Click here to purchase these cleansing oils and your wholesale membership from doTERRA at 25% off. 

Leann Forst, MBA, CHC, CEOC — Holistic Health Practitioner

Leann is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Essential Oils Coach, holding a Master’s degree from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science from Upper Iowa University. Leann is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. And she is an award winning author of 2 books “How to Get Your Kids to Beg for Veggies” and “100 Ways to Lose Weight”.

Born and raised as an Iowa farm girl, she moved to Texas in 1998 where she lives with her husband and 2 kids.

As a wife of a brain cancer survivor, Leann has a special interest in anti-cancer nutrition and detoxification. She works with individuals and groups, and speaks regularly at hospitals, schools and organizations to teach people how to attain optimal health by getting to the root cause of chronic and inflammatory conditions, while using healing modalities such as essential oils. Click here to get Leann’s free report, “37 Cancer Facts You Should Know…But Probably Don’t”

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.

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