Household Products You're Using Every Day That Are Potentially Making You Sick

As a child, I was taught that if the house didn't smell like Clorox or Pine Sol when you cleaned up, then your house wasn't clean (**shrugs**). If your clothes and sheets weren't drenched with the scent of Downy- same thing.  I can remember waking up on Saturday mornings and the whole house would be smelling like that. That scent was strong! But I loved it....and nowadays, every time I smell the scent, it takes me back to my childhood.


Clorox Bleach
I hate to break it to ya, but Clorox Bleach is "GAWBAJ." No bueno. Yeah, yeah, I know it hurts to hear that (it broke my heart too, because I grew up on it). It received a grade of "F" on the EWG's guide to healthy cleaning. It definitely can contribute to moderate concerns for asthma, skin allergies/irritation, and the big "C"...cancer.  It's toxic....if you must use it, I would suggest using a facial/breathing mask to ensure some protection from chemicals that you're inhaling. Check out some facial masks for chemical odors here. If you're cleaning out your bathtub with it, wear shower shoes to lessen the exposure to your skin. That's what I did before I transitioned completely over to natural non-chlorine bleach. Don't believe me? Click here for more information on Clorox bleach.

Dawn dish detergent
Dawn is also trash can juice! HA! It received a grade of a D and can also cause asthma/respiratory concerns, and skin allergies or irritations. And imagine fixing a nice, hot meal on your plate, then BOOM...someone sprinkles dyes and other chemicals on top of it. Would you still eat? Sounds crazy, right?? Well, I hate to rain on your parade, but if you're using dish detergents such as Dawn or Cascade, you're doing just that. (If you click on the links for Dawn and Cascade, you will see that they both received grades of a 'D').

Tide detergent
Tide is another product that I grew up on. Loved me some Tide! That detergent was a regular in our household! But if you get a chance...take a look at the ingredients on the back. It is loaded with chemical and dyes! Yes- it smells great, but once you wash your clothes in that detergent, the dyes and chemicals come in contact with your skin, and can potentially get into your bloodstream.

By the way, most of the Tide products received a grade of a C or D with moderate health concerns regarding asthma/respiratory, skin allergies, and even reproductive toxicity (for example, it can cause the growth of fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, etc.). Click here to view more information on Tide and health concerns.


Pine Sol
Child!! This broke my heart the most! I used to love waking up on a Saturday morning and my mother would be cleaning and having the house smelling like lemons! LOL. Unfortunately, Pine Sol received a grade of a D.  Using this product (and inhaling the fumes) can cause asthma/respiratory problems, potential cancer, and skin allergies or irritations.



Check out more information on health concerns for Pine Sol here. Listen, I know you're probably thinking "Did she just say that all of the cleaning products that I use on a daily basis are basically harmful to my health? So what the hell do I clean my house with, then??" LOL. Did I hit it on the head? Don't fret though! I got you! The next section I will discuss healthier alternative cleaning products that are better for your body and the environment!

Alternative Products
When I first started my holistic journey (and decided to ditch most of the household cleaning products that I grew up on), it was hard!! And it was very difficult for me to grasp that my house can actually be clean without smelling like chlorine bleach or other harsh chemicals that we inhale while cleaning! Here are some alternative cleaning products that work very well and also smell good!

• Seventh Generation Non-Chlorine Bleach. This bleach is a healthier alternative to Clorox Bleach. It is made with hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine and does not have a toxic smell. It actually doesn't have a smell at all! Click here to order this product.

Seventh Generation Non-Chlorine Bleach


• Seventh Generation Non-Toxic Dish Detergent. This dishwashing detergent is non-toxic and a healthier alternative to Dawn. It does not have synthetic fragrances (chemicals), dyes or phosphates. It naturally smells good though; fragrances are made from essential oils such as lemongrass and lavender. Click here to order this product.

Seventh Generation Dish Non-Toxic Dishwashing Liquid


• Seventh Generation Non-Toxic "Free and Clear" Detergent. This detergent is a healthier alternative to Tide and is also free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals. Click here to check out more information on this product.

• Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena Scent/ Multi-Surface Cleaner. You're going to love this product! It is a healthier alternative to Pine Sol and has a "lemon-y" scent! It's primarily made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients. Click here to get the "skinny" on this product or to purchase it!

• Just plain ole' distilled white vinegar mixed with water! If you want to keep it simple (and cheap), just add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to a 1/2 gallon of warm water (I typically put the concoction in a spray bottle). The mixture is antibacterial and antiviral so it works like Clorox cleaner, without the toxic chemicals! Click here to purchase distilled white vinegar!

If you decide to try these products, I want to know what you think! There are so many other natural household products that I've transitioned to, so I will be making a follow-up post in the near future. Welp, that's it for me. Treena V. is signing off.  Stay healthy, my friends! I love us for real!


Signed,


The Vegan World Traveler