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March 17 If you're cleaning, you really should know this...You really need to know what is in your cleaners if you are planning to spring clean. You could actually make your home a more toxic place to live than if you never cleaned. If you want a real eye opener watch this. To check your products go here.
Cleaners have become stronger and stronger in an effort to make them more attractive to the busy woman (yes, it's sexist but more women clean than men). We've become a nation paranoid about germs, so cleaners promise to protect our families from these threats.
Some groups are bringing attention to the evidence that the cleaners themselves pose a very real threat to women's health. I thought shredded skin and cracked bleeding fingers was just something that happened to everyone when they cleaned. I think many women experience this,but it is not normal or good. Once I switched to non-toxic cleaners I rarely have any problems with my hands. This was just evidence to me that the chemicals in cleaners were harming me. I often had a headache after cleaning which I thought came because of fatigue. When I switched cleaners I not only got rid of the headaches but found that I had energy to spare after cleaning.
So what is in these cleaners that causes the problems. In cleaners for windows an ingredient called glycol ether has shown harm to animals. Laundry detergents which contain Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), two kinds of surfactants, have been shown to cause harm to fish and tadpoles. Phthalates found in laundry detergent, air freshners, glass cleaners, and fabric softners have been linked to low sperm counts and asthma.
What do you clean with if you don't want to use conventional cleaners? Well, be careful to do your homework because any product can say it's natural or non-toxic. Look for the research to back up the company claims. You can easily use baking soda, vinegar, and peroxide to clean your home as well. I still like some kind of soap so I've found a cleaner that works, is affordable, and comes from a reputable company. Do your homework and find something that works for you. You won't be sorry and you're home will really be spring clean. Comments (2)
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