YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
When we think about improving health, we tend to focus on things like diet, exercise and better sleep. Most of us spend the majority of our time at home, so we should put just as much effort into creating a healthy place to do life. Many people would be shocked at the number of toxins–substances that are poisonous or harmful to the body– that they are exposed to on a daily basis in they safety of their own homes. When is the last time you read the label on your shampoo? On your room freshener? On your kitchen cleaner? On your dryer sheets? On that candle on the table?
There are so many steps that you can take to live a less toxic life. I narrowed it down to the first steps that my husband and I took when our family grew from 2 to 3 to 4. Up until that time, I didn’t give a second thought to the products I was using. In fact, the only thing I remember doing was trying to eat more organic food. When I was pregnant I started to grow concerned and I began to look at things differently. I began to ask questions. Do research. And that resulted in making some serious lifestyle changes.
While it’s hard to completely avoid toxic chemicals, we can take steps to reduce our daily exposure. Some families will choose to take a step-by-step approach, changing one area at a time, while others may make significant changes all at once. If your family has an immediate medical need, such as a severely asthmatic child, someone who suffers with Eczema or an unexplained allergy, you might want to take inventory of the products in your home as soon as possible.
- Diffuse CPTG Essential Oils to freshen your home and get health benefits. Not only do certain essential oils smell wonderful, most offer health benefits as well. We love to diffuse On Guard Essential oil from September – March to help support our immune systems. And my favorite night time blend is 4 drops of Cedarwood and 2 drops of Serenity. Heavenly!! The majority of essential oils have antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that are incredibly effective in removing toxins when used aromatically. They destroy the living cells of deadly airborne viruses, dust particles, harmful bacteria, and antigens when in contact with these toxins. Toss the sprays and plug-ins and diffuse.
- Make your own deodorant or buy natural. The most common chemical ingredients found in deodorant and antiperspirants are parabens, triclosan, phthalates, propylene glycol and aluminum. Research has linked these ingredients to several medical conditions including types of cancer and reproductive development issues. doTERRA has a couple of natural deodorant options. You can also make your own with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
¼ cup aluminum free baking soda
¼ cup arrowroot or cornstarch
3–5 tablespoons coconut oil
15 drops Purify (or other essential oil)
Recommended essential oils: Lemon, Tea Tree, Lavender, doTERRA On Guard®, Lime, Geranium, Lemongrass, and Purify.
Note: If you live in a warm climate, add one ounce of melted shea or cocoa butter to recipe.
Instructions
- Combine baking soda, arrowroot, and essential oil in bowl.
- Combine coconut oil with other ingredients, one tablespoon at a time, until mixture is at desired consistency.
- Press firmly into empty deodorant container and let sit until coconut oil solidifies.
- Use natural laundry detergent. Traditional laundry detergents are typically packed with loads of good smelling unhealthy chemical ingredients. Using natural laundry detergent cuts down on the chemicals seeping into soil and groundwater supplies, not to mention the chemicals rubbing off the clothes and onto your skin. Here is a partial list of harmful chemicals that are found in the most popular laundry detergents. Sodium lauryl sulfate, 1,4-dioxane, Nonylphenol ethoxylate, Synthetic fragrances, Anionic surfactants, Petroleum distillates, Phenols and Optical brighteners. These ingredients have been rumored to cause rashes, eczema, and possibly cancer. I recommend switching to a natural detergent like On Guard.
- Use Green Cleaning alternatives. Many cleaning products contain harmful chemicals and fumes that contribute to headaches, respiratory issues and allergies. Some of the harmful ingredients found in typical household cleaners include ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite and/or trisodium phosphate. Green cleaning is the process of choosing cleaning products that are better for both people and the planet. Switching to green cleaning products is good for the health and wellbeing of people, and it also prevents unnecessary chemicals from being released into the environment. I love the On Guard Cleaner Concentrate. Mix two tablespoons of doTERRA On Guard Cleaner Concentrate per 24 ounces of water. Combine the water and concentrate to a spray bottle for easy application on surfaces around the home. It is a highly effective multi-purpose cleaner. Cleaning with Vinegar and essential oils is also a healthy option. You can mix 50% white vinegar, 50% water and 10-20 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle.
- Replace dryer sheets with wool dryer balls. The current United States Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require dryer sheet manufacturers to list actual ingredients, including the chemicals used in fragrance blends. But what we do know is that dryer sheets leave a residue on your clothes, towels or sheets and create a perfume cloud. Some people love the scent (guilty!), but unfortunately, dryer sheets can contain harmful chemicals that adhere to clothes, vent into the air, and rub off on your skin.
According to Dr. Axe, dryer sheet and dryer sheet ingredient research unearthed these important findings:
- Forty-four percent of scented laundry products tested spewed at least one carcinogenic hazardous air pollutant. Some of these include acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
- Some of the more immediate dangers of synthetic scents in laundry products include migraines, asthma attacks, eye and throat irritation and contact dermatitis.
- In one mice study, fabric softening products triggered limited airflow and pulmonary irritation in the animals studied.
- In 2009, nearly 10 percent of the general U.S. population reports irritation from scents coming out of dryer vents. By 2016, that number increased to more than 12 percent.
- In a study focusing on hormone disruptors and asthma triggers in everyday products, Silent Spring Institute researchers found dryer sheets contained some of the highest concentrations of harmful fragrance chemicals. Compounds like acetyl hexamethyl tetralin, isobornyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol also turned up.
- According to EcoWatch, dryer sheets often contain quaternary ammonium compounds, which can trigger asthma attacks. These cautoionic fabric softeners also routinely trigger reproductive toxicity in animals. Acetone in the sheets can trigger dizzy spells and headaches. Aside from that, up to 10 percent of a dryer sheet’s weight could be comprised of fragrance chemicals.
- Dryer sheet “grades” vary greatly on Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Some “F” products contained quaternary ammonium compounds due to their well-known asthma-triggering properties. Other fabric softening compounds routinely used in dryer sheets are considered toxic to wildlife.
These chemicals can cause health problems because they can mimic estrogen and trigger asthma. The good news is you can avoid unhealthy dryer sheets by switching to healthy options, like wool dryer balls. I add 4-6 drops of essential oil to a couple of the dryer balls each time I do a load. Some of my favorites are Lavender, Wild Orange, Lemon, Purify and Peppermint .
- Filter your drinking water. Many refrigerators come with water filtration systems for drinking water. If you do not have a refrigerator with a water option, you should consider purchasing a system that filters water to get rid of harmful pollutants such as ammonia and radium from your tap . Water filtration can provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and bacterial contaminants. Water filters reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease by more than 80 percent by removing cryptosporidium, e-coli and giardia from drinking water. There are whole house filtration systems, countertop systems, sink systems and simple pitcher systems. You have to decide which one is right for you.
- Welcome to the jungle. Plants clean the air in our homes making the air less toxic and much friendlier for allergy sufferers. They clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing oxygen. Years ago, NASA researchers determined that certain houseplants can remove some of the most common pollutants like benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. A few recommended plants to decorate your place include Chinese evergreens, peace lilies, dracaenas, Madagascar dragon trees and ferns. Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood.
- Read Labels. Double check the ingredients in your makeup, self-care, and cleaning products. Some of the products you think are safe might contain harmful chemicals, so make sure to find products that really list ALL of their ingredients, look for products that mostly list plant based ingredients for their product, and avoid using products that contain the following chemicals:
- Trisclosan & Triclocarban – Disrupts thyroid and hormones.
- Parabens – Avoid especially Propyl-, Isopropyl, Butyl, and Isobutyl-Parabens. Disrupts thyroid and causes reproductive and developmental disorders.
- Phthalates – Increasingly linked to brain, behavioral changes, cancer and reproductive system harm.
- Fragrance – Can include any one of 3,000+ ingredients – many synthetic, petroleum-based and toxic. Some formulations include phthalates.
- Formaldehyde or Formalin – Known carcinogen, asthmagen, and neurotoxin.
- Boric Acid & Sodium Borate – Can be absorbed readily into the body and are unsafe for infants and use with broken skin.
- PEG/Cetearet/Polyethylene – Frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane a probable carcinogen.
- Coal Tar Hair Dyes + Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine –Coal tar is a known carcinogen.
- Oxybenzone – Human studies link to irritation and allergies. Animal studies show hormone disruption.
The biggest tip that I have for you is to avoid fragranced products: cleaning products, air fresheners, perfume, laundry detergent, laundry sheets, scented candles. Anything with “fragrance” listed on the label can be potentially harmful and can cause a plethora of health issues. And since the details of what makes up the fragrance usually aren’t listed, your best bet is to steer clear and use natural alternatives.