Spring is right around the corner and it’s usually the time of the year when people toss out things their house has been collecting within the past year and clean their homes from top to bottom. To be honest, I haven’t given a thought about the importance of cleaning products; just as long as it cleans like how it’s supposed to, it’s good enough for me. It wasn’t until I saw a Target commercial advertising its new toxin-free cleaning supplies that I really thought about it. Products that we use to clean our homes can contain harmful chemicals that cause reactions such as headaches, nausea, allergic reactions, and some can even contain harmful carcinogens. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be 5 times more toxic than the air we breathe outside.
If you’ve ever taken the time to read the back of those cleaning bottles, you’ll find that many ingredients comprise the cleaning solution. Some of those ingredients aren’t even pronounceable or have only seen in high school chemistry text books. The bottles may also contain warnings such as “flammable” or “poisonous”. These chemicals can be released in our environment by being drained down the sink, flushed down the toilet, or thrown away in the garbage.
If you don’t want to harm yourself or your environment, here’s a list of brands that are toxin-free and non-polluting:
- Seventh Generation focuses on sustainability and the conservation of natural resources. The company got its name from the Great Law of Iroquois where it says we should consider the impact of our decisions for the next seven generations. Seventh Generation uses recycled and post-consumer materials in its packaging and biodegradable, phosphate, and chlorine free ingredients in its products.
- Method focuses on producing non-toxic, sustainable products with a focus on minimalist packaging. The company does not test on animals and is taking steps to measure and reduce its carbon footprint.
- Begley’s Best is named after environmentalist and actor Ed Begley, Jr. It is an all-purpose cleaner that’s made from extracts of pine, de-acified citrus, maize, fermented sugar cane roots, and olive seeds. The ingredients are all natural, non-toxic, and totally biodegradable.
- If you want an all natural home solution, try vinegar and baking soda. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your own natural cleaning product.
Comments