Have you ever walked into a clothing store only to have your nose assaulted by perfume? Or stepped into a restaurant, building, or public restroom only to catch a whiff of the air freshener they’re using? In this day and age, so many people are waking up to the fact that what we eat can have a direct impact on our health.
Did you know that what you smell around you or put on your skin is also just as important?
Cleaning chemicals and chemical detergents can have a hidden, but detrimental, effect on our health. Your liver is like a sponge, and when it’s working properly, it functions to neutralize all of the toxins we come up against, from gasoline and diesel fumes, to pesticides, and detergents, and air fresheners, to smoke from cigarettes and bushfires alike. But a better analogy would be a bucket, because there is a certain point at which your liver becomes “full” – and that’s when the trouble starts.
When your liver becomes overly saturated with toxins, you can start to experience all kinds of symptoms from high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue and dehydration, to more debilitating neurological issues.
If your liver is like a bucket however, switching to cleaner products in your home and environment is like taking a cup or two of water out of the bucket on a regular basis. The bucket becomes less likely to overflow. And this means that you get to keep the health you do have, rather than experiencing the “overflow” effect when symptoms start creeping in.
A few simple alternatives include using vinegar mixed with water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, or even half-half for a stronger dilution) as a cleaning spray for sinks, counters, and even for washing floors. Some other simple ingredients that get the job done are baking soda, Bon Ami, and Hydrogen peroxide. All are safe to use and will not pollute the air you’re breathing.
Essential oils, while smelling great, can also pollute the air quality in your home if they are not from a high quality company, as they break down into formaldehyde. For this reason, even high quality Essential oils can be triggering for people with chemical sensitivities and should be avoided in that case. Air fresheners and scented candles are probably the most common mistakes people put in their homes.
A few options of cleaner detergents include Vaaska, Biokleen, Seventh Generation, and Branch Basics, the latter of which was created by a mother whose son developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as a child. The concentrate is completely plant based and scent free, and the others are cleaner alternatives to your traditional detergents as well. You want to avoid detergents like Tide at all costs.
One thing to watch out for when choosing a better product is something called “Greenwashing”. While some companies really are out to produce a better product, others companies will coast on the fact that not every consumer reads the label or will look up the ingredients. Even if something is labeled “Green”, or “Natural”, it’s worth it to take a spin online to make sure it’s really worth your time (and health!)
No matter which option you choose, don’t you want to hang on to your health? Give yourself and your neighbor’s livers a break and switch to something that is actually green!