Our environment is full of potentially hazardous toxins and chemicals. From the air we breathe…to the surfaces we touch…to the food we consume…we are constantly bombarded with potentially poisonous surrounding. It is alarming that the industry designed to create and sell products to kill germs…can actually end up harming you and your family. If you had the choice, would you choose to clean with products that are sustainable and eco-friendly…or chemicals that will kill harmful germs but lead to secondary issues? Here are some helpful ways to be buyer beware about the “cleaning” products that you bring into your home, vehicle, and office.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GO FRAGRANCE FREE
If you walked through the super market with your eyes closed, would you be able to identify the aisle that contains the laundry detergent, cleaners, and air fresheners? If your nose works, then the answer should be yes. That is because MOST of these products contain FRAGRANCE. And that fragrance can cause headaches, sinus problems, and worse. Sure, they may do a good job of making your clothes smell “Spring Clean”, or you may mop your way to a house that smells like a pine forest…but why?
Did you know that by law, companies do not have to disclose that scents are in their products? This mean that you won’t find the harmful chemical “phthalates” on a label. Instead, you will want to look for “fragrance”. If a label includes “fragrance” in the ingredient list, then there is a good chance that phthalates are present in the product.
Avoid these endocrine disrupting chemicals by choosing products labeled as fragrance free or all-natural. Essential oils are a great way to add a safe and therapeutic scent to your cleaning routine. Another idea is to place plants, natural air purifiers, throughout your home or office.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET FASTER AND SAFER
Have you ever had the misfortune of encountering a truly disgusting toilet? Nasty, right? Well, wait until you hear about the horrors that are lurking inside the products that are meant to clean that nasty toilet! Toilet bowls, by nature, are gross…and they NEED to be cleaned regularly. However, at what cost?
If you are using a commercial toilet bowl clean that squirts on, or comes in the form of a disc…read the label! Chances are, it says something like, “Fatal if swallowed.” It may also say, “Do not inhale fumes. Use rubber gloves. Avoid contact with skin.”
Most people will agree that it is not worth the risk to expose themselves, their children, or their pets to such harmful chemicals. Have you ever heard of a toddler playing in the toilet? Well, it happens! Has your dog ever chewed something he wasn’t supposed to? That happens also! To avoid potentially fatal accidents…and lung & skin irritation…avoid such products in your home.
Baking Soda, and a few drops of essential oil can make a great abrasive all-natural cleaner. If you are looking for a spray to clean toilet surfaces, then consider MonoFoil. It is a antimicrobial and hypoallergenic cleaner that creates a germ barrier….keeping germs and odor at bay longer!
WHICH SPRAY CLEANERS CAUSE ASTHMA
Ah…the ever popular spray cleaner. They come in all shapes and sizes, with a host of uses. Some are disinfectants, others are degreasers, a few “clean” the air, and some clean your oven. No matter what the purpose of your typical spray on cleaning product, there is a good chance that they are laced with quaternary ammonium compounds or ethanolamine. These chemical ingredients are classified as asthmagens by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinic.
Most of these cleaners are marketed as having the power to make your life easier and healthier. However, the chemicals contained within these products can trigger asthma attacks, and cause serious lung irritation. If you want to avoid using these products, consider an all-natural DIY approach, using a vinegar based cleaner. If DIY isn’t your thing, there is another great option. As mentioned above, MonoFoil•D is a sustainable spray cleaner that deodorizes and kills germs….while being 100% kid and pet friendly! No harmful fumes or toxic residue, and it’s EPA approved!
Now that you have learned a little bit of truth behind the billion-dollar cleaning product industry, you can make some informed decisions about what types of products will be used in your home or office. What changes are you going to implement in order to create a safer environment for you and your family?
