I recommend natural beauty, baby, and cleaning products that are just as effective as toxic ones.
All in Household
Switching to food storage made of reusable, long lasting materials is not only better for health but better for our planet. Reusable items may be more expensive than disposable options, but will save you money in the long run. Studies show plastic food storage can expose us to endocrine-disrupting bisphenol A (“BPA”). BPA leaches into the food and drink it packages and enters the bloodstream.
Adverse health effects from 1,4-dioxane include eye, nose and throat irritation from short term exposure, and kidney and liver damage from long term exposure. [1] Unfortunately studies over the years (dating back to the 1970s) have continually detected 1,4-dioxane in a range of products, some far exceeding the supposed safe threshold of 10,000 ppb.
A stocked pantry is the foundation to preparing simple, healthy, and delicious meals. Buy organic whenever you can to avoid pesticides and unwanted chemicals. Choose extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil over canola oil. Sprouted grains make for nutritious and satisfying breads. Steel cut oatmeal is the ultimate breakfast food and sweetened ketchup is a thing of the past.
Conventional dish soaps contain fragrances and other toxic ingredients you want to avoid, even those marketed as “natural.” Antibacterial agents like triclosan, triclocarban, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, chloroxylenol, and others are harmful to health, are not necessary for washing dishes, and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Did you know that poor indoor air quality is common and harmful to health? Cleaning products in the home are a large source of exposure to toxic ingredients and can release harmful volatile organic compounds. The majority of cleaning products contain ingredients that are linked to undesirable health effects release. Switching to natural and non-toxic cleaning products can seem over whelming but these essentials will get you well on your way to cleaner air and a cleaner home.
Aiming for a healthier year? Make a big impact with minimal effort by swapping out these frequently used products. Most hand soaps contain synthetic fragrance, colorants, or ingredients that not only irritate skin but can have adverse health effects. Improve indoor air quality by swapping out traditional cleaning products. Ingredients commonly used in laundry detergent are frequently the source of skin irritation. Given the increase in use of hand sanitizer, consider swapping for a cleaner formula.
A stocked pantry is the foundation to preparing simple, healthy, and delicious meals. Buy organic whenever you can to avoid pesticides and unwanted chemicals. Choose extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil over canola oil. Sprouted grains make for nutritious and satisfying breads. Steel cut oatmeal is the ultimate breakfast food and sweetened ketchup is a thing of the past.
When it comes to cleanliness, we associate a strong chemical smell with being clean, when in reality “clean” has no smell at all. Fragrance is one of the 5 common allergens found in cosmetics and can trigger asthma attacks, skin irritation and skin allergies, and allergic reactions. Fragranced products can cause adverse health effects including respiratory, neurological, cognitive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, immune, and musculoskeletal problem to migraine headaches, mucosal symptoms, and asthma attacks. Despite these facts, companies are not required to disclose the fragrance ingredients in their products. Studies have revealed toxic ingredients in fragrance such phthalates, octoxynols and butylphenol methylpropianol. In addition, fragrances emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In the pandemic era, safer cleaning alternatives have been pushed aside in favor of bleach and strong antibacterial disinfectants. Disinfectants play a role in preventing the spread of germs; however, disinfectants come with additional risks and/or health problems so learning how and when to properly use them is especially important. Safer and non-toxic disinfectants include hydrogen peroxide & EPA approved disinfectants like Force of Nature and Clean Republic which use sodium chloride and hypochlorous acid.
Bon Ami powder cleanser is an excellent cleaner to keep around the house because it is non-toxic and has many uses. Since 1886, Bon Ami has remained committed to its non-toxic formula by not using bleach, fragrance, or dyes. It will not scratch or damage most surfaces yet is effective at tackling difficult stains.
Non-toxic and fragrance free, Branch Basics All Purpose is an effective cleaner that is safe to use on all surfaces, even marble. While many household cleaners require open doors and windows for ventilation, Branch Basics is free of harmful volatile organic compounds and harsh fumes. Branch Basics All Purpose does not contain antibacterial agents such as triclosan, triclocarban, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and choloryxlenol.
Conventional stain removers often contain toxic ingredients like bleach that are irritating to eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Branch Basics is bleach-free effectively removes stains and uses only non-toxic ingredients. Oxygen boost intensifies cleaning, and when combined with All Purpose Spray, the combination works magic on stains. Oxygen boost is also great for brightening whites.
