Why and how to shift to low tox cleaning
Babies can be incredibly sensitive to cleaning and laundry products, and evidence now shows that household cleaning products increase the risk of asthma or wheeze (1).
You only have to clean the shower or get some window cleaner out and you can start to feel it in your throat and eyes. Many of the regular cleaning brands contain “endocrine disruptors”, and these chemicals are linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, and immunity problems. There is a growing awareness, which is why you can now find big brand products that are BPA or parabens-free, this is because there is great concern over these synthetic products affecting thyroid and hormone health.
So, if most of the regular cleaning and laundry products are affecting our chemical health, why are they not taken off the market?
Everything is toxic in high forms, however, cleaning product ingredients must only contain a certain percentage of the chemical that is deemed safe, this doesn’t necessary mean that it is safe for children. So if you would prefer not too worry about how safe or unsafe a product is, it would be much easier to clean low tox then you don’t have to worry.
So how to make a change with your cleaning?
It is not as simple as just looking for “eco friendly” or “natural” as many companies “green wash” with their advertising and actually you can be paying a lot more for a product that is still toxic.
When choosing a product look at the ingredients and avoid if you see:
Triclosan or Triclocarban, which is often added to cleaning products for its antimicrobial properties, but still have hormone-disrupting properties.
“Fragrance”, “parfum” or “perfume” , The manufacturer is not required to list which chemicals are included, and these may include harmful substances such as phthalates. These can be found in many laundry products.
Glycol Ethers (e.g. 2-butoxyethanol, 2,2-methoxyethoxyethanol): may affect reproductive health.
Cyclosiloxanes (e.g. hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexylsiloxane): may affect hormonal health: Evidence isn’t clear, but it has a long half life (which means it stays around for a while) in the air of 10-16 days.
Start slow: Don’t become overwhelmed, Buy four products
White Vinegar (in bulk 5L)
Bicarbonate of soda (in Bulk)
3 spray bottles 2x 500ml and a 100ml one for room spray.
Lemon essential oil - therapy/organic grade if possible
Make a cleaner by mixing up all ingredients below in a bucket of water. Decant into a spray bottle. Store and keep.
Ingredients
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup bicarbonate of soda
2 litres water (filtered)
Use on tiles, bathroom panels, mirrors, windows and hard bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
Replace your fabric softener for white vinegar, if you love a citrus smell you can always fill a glass bottle with vinegar and pop in the rind of lemon, or sage or rosemary. Once the vinegar smells, use it as your softener.
Make a room spray: Simply fill the small 100ml spray bottle with distilled water and add 10 drops of lemon essential oil (more if you like a stronger smell)
Dust with a wet cloth and some lemon essential oil if you like.
Congratulations you have just reduced your toxic load and helped the planet, your families health and your wallet ☺
Here are some more recipes:
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/about/homemade-cleaning-products-5-fantastic-recipes
References:
(1) Abrams EM. Cleaning products and asthma risk: a potentially important public health concern. CMAJ. 2020;192(7):E164-E165.
(2) Danish Ministry of The Environment: Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Siloxanes (D3, D4, D5, D6, HMDS). [Accessed:16/06/22] www.mst.dk