8 Natural Cleaning Products that will save your health

How your cleaning products are ruining your health and how you can substitute them with natural cleaning products

Cleaning the house isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of fun, however, it’s one of the most essential things one does to live in a healthier, germ-free environment. It’s very natural to find one’s house packed with a variety cleaning products like soaps, detergents, bleaching agents, softeners, polishes and specialized products for our bathrooms and kitchens, and while these keep our houses clean, shiny, and sweet-smelling; they still cause a grave damage to our health, and ironically, some of these products could be the most toxic products in your household. Almost all the cleaning products that we buy at the grocery store are made with a multitude of harmful chemicals; these chemicals contribute to air pollution, are poisonous if ingested and can be extremely dangerous if inhaled or touched. Join our Zero Waste Movement here!

Make the best out of it!

The health problems caused by cleaning products vary; whereas some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer. There are various studies that have linked between lung cancer and the chemicals in cleaning products; a 20-year study conducted in Norway revealed a clear link between lung cancer in women and the cleaning products used at home. The study looked at 6,000 people throughout the 20 years, concluding that women who regularly clean or those who worked as cleaners suffered huge health problems with the long-term use of these products. In addition, lung function decline in women working as cleaners or regularly using cleaning products at home was comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day over 10 to 20 years.

Follow the natural path!

The health problems caused by cleaning products vary; whereas some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer. There are various studies that have linked between lung cancer and the chemicals in cleaning products; a 20-year study conducted in Norway revealed a clear link between lung cancer in women and the cleaning products used at home. The study looked at 6,000 people throughout the 20 years, concluding that women who regularly clean or those who worked as cleaners suffered huge health problems with the long-term use of these products. In addition, lung function decline in women working as cleaners or regularly using cleaning products at home was comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day over 10 to 20 years. Furthermore, cases of asthma were also more common in women who cleaned at home and women who worked as cleaners than women who did not use cleaning products on regular basis. "While the short-term effects of cleaning chemicals on asthma are becoming increasingly well documented, we lack knowledge of the long-term impact," said senior study author Cecile Svanes, MD, Ph.D., a professor at the university's Centre for International Health. "We feared that such chemicals, by steadily causing a little damage to the airways day after day, year after year, might accelerate the rate of lung function decline that occurs with age."

So what’s so bad about these products?

Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia and bleach. Even the perfumes and fragrances added to these products can be dangerous. Some of these products include, but aren’t limited to Aerosol spray products, air fresheners, detergent and furniture and floor polish. Ever heard about the multi-usage of baking soda? Here you can find 22 problems that are solved with it.

How can one avoid them?

First of all, one can start by thoroughly reading the ingredient list on the products before buying them, making sure they’re eco-friendly and do not contain any of the harmful products. Another way is that one can start replacing the products they have with organic cleaning products that are plant-based or natural so no harm would come to neither the environment nor their health.

Here are some of these products:

1) Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles: These spray bottles have a perfect size, they’re small enough to fit in your hand, but also large enough that you wouldn’t have to refill them constantly. They protect against degradation from ultraviolet light and keep your essential oils safe They’re lead and BPA free, and they’re also not affected by strong oils like citrus. They’ll help you save money, decrease the amount of plastic waste and chemicals in your house.

2)  Window & Glass Cleaner: This cleaner is very effective when it comes keeping your windows and surfaces spotless and shiny; it’s smear-free and fast drying. You can put the liquid in a spray bottle for application.

3) Ecover Ecological Toilet Cleaner: This toilet cleaner is biodegradable, with no colorants or unnecessary chemicals. It’s perfumed with pine that cleans, and it’s also cost effective and suitable for septic tanks.

4) Ecover Zero Laundry Detergent: This product is both eco-friendly and easy on the skin and it leaves no fragrance. It has no dyes or optical brighteners and it’s dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic.

5) Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Natural Fiber Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge: These plant-based sponges are made from durable materials that stand up to stuck-on grimes. They’re non-scratch, so they’ll cut through the mess without harming your surfaces and they’re safe for all cookware. A multi surface solution for your home. If you ever have to remove soap scum, use the sponge, some white vinegar & lemon juice.

6) NaturOli Soap Nuts: This is an organic laundry soap, natural detergent & all-purpose, green household cleaner. It’s hypoallergenic & fragrance-free. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and it Leaves laundry clean, soft & fresh. Superb for delicates, silks, wools, & organic fabrics and it’s also odor removing. A plant based cleaner for your laundry!

. 7) Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap:  Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Lavender Liquid Soap is concentrated, biodegradable, versatile and effective. It offers organic and vegan ingredients for a rich, emollient lather and a moisturizing after feel. It uses organic hemp, olive, and coconut oil to nourish your clean, healthy it has no synthetic detergents or preservatives, as none of the ingredients or organisms from which they are derived are genetically modified. Furthermore, it’s packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles. Dr. Bronner’s is committed to environmental protection, ethical sourcing, and fair trade practices. You can use it as dish soap, floor cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner. A truly multi purpose cleaner without harsh chemicals!

8) DIY Castille Soap: Making your own soap can be is fun and it’s also a lot healthier and better for the environment! Ingredients::

1. 24 oz weight (680 grams) olive oil.
2. 16 oz weight (454 grams) coconut oil.
3. 9.35 oz weight (265 grams) Potassium hydroxide lye flakes.
4. 32 oz (4 cups | 907 grams) distilled water, for lye-solution.
5. 10 to 12 cups distilled water, to dilute, plus extra as needed.

You can also watch this video for better instructions on how to make the soap: How to Make a Multipurpose Liquid Castile Soap: Dr. Bronner's Copycat Recipe In conclusion, as much as our cleaning products guarantee the neatness and cleanliness of our homes, it turns out that they’re extremely harmful to our health, which if you think about it is not a good bargain. It is better to avoid these products and choose organic, natural ones that harm neither the environment nor your health. Find more information about e.g. stainless steel products in this article: plastic free water bottles.