First off, why do we need a different product for every item in every room?! Can’t I clean the bathroom with the same cleanser that I use in the kitchen? The answer is yes of course. But it wouldn’t be as profitable for the corporations!
The real irony is while we think we’re making our homes clean and safe, we’re actually exposing ourselves to dangerous, toxic chemicals! Our homes are becoming more toxic that the air outside! Cleaning products vary in the degree and type of health hazard that they pose. Some cause immediate problems such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes or burns. Others can create chronic, long term effects including cancer. Gohere to see EWG’s hall of shame for household cleaners and their health concerns.
In an effort to save money, some people use bleach and ammonia as their main cleaning ingredients because they’re strong and bleach is antibacterial. These products have a high degree of toxicity and produce fumes that irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. NEVER mix bleach with acids such as ammonia or vinegar! This can produce deadly gasses !(EWG)
ANTIBACTERIAL CRAZE
Antibacterial is one of the new buzz words. Because bacterial soaps are a one billion dollar industry, corporations have taught the public to believe that if we kill ALL the bacteria we will stay well. Actually the opposite is true!
Antibacterial soaps have the potential to create antibiotic resistant bacteria. Actually, this has already happened. The strain is called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). It is responsible for several difficult to treat infections. Also, not all bacteria is bad. In fact, less than 1% cause disease. There is no proof that washing with antibacterial soap is more effective than washing with regular soap. As a matter of fact, you’d have to leave antibacterial soap on your hands for two minutes for it to be effective!
LEGAL ACTION
Last year the FDA gave the manufacturers of anti bacterial soap untill 2016 to prove that their product was safe and more effective than regular soap or they have to pull the products from the shelves!
Tea Tree Oil is an antimicrobial that can be added to home made or commercial cleaners. Ten drops to a cup of water makes an all purpose disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses (not ALL of them) and fungi.
The EWG has a “Ten Best” and a “Ten Worst” list. You can see it here. It covers cleaners for the bathroom, dishes, laundry and all purpose. The funny thing is a lot of the safe products contain ingredients that you can put together yourself!