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Spring Cleaning: Safer Solutions for Your Home

March 4, 2021 by Deanna Gillis Leave a Comment

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Spring is in the air. But before you start spring cleaning, read this post and learn what your cleaning supplies might be costing your health.

Find out the truth about your cleaning products so that you can make well-informed decisions around the household cleaning products you are using to steward your home as a homemaker.

NATIONAL BRAND CLEANERS LINKED TO LUNG DAMAGE

Could using popular name brand cleaning products be just as harmful to our lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day?

A 20-year independent study with 6,230 participants found that using national brand household cleaning products just once a week was as bad for you as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

As homemakers, we may want to take a closer look at our indoor air quality. Because much of our time is in the home, we want it to be safe and nurturing for our family. And cleaning agents are known to cause inflammatory changes in the airways.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Many cleaning supplies and household products can cause irritation to the eyes, throat, or cause headaches, and many more health issues, including cancer. For instance, have you ever needed to open a window or leave the room in order to breathe when cleaning your bathroom? These products are releasing dangerous chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ammonia and bleach are other very harmful ingredients. 

cleaning supplies

Another study, by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), looked at over 2,000 cleaning supplies on the American market. They found the harmful ingredients in these cleaners were linked to:

  • Asthma;
  • Asthmagens;
  • Cancer;
  • Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity;
  • Allergies and Irritation; and
  • Accidents: Burns and Poisonings.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR SPRING CLEANING

As homemakers, we want to be intentional in the home. Furthermore, we want to be mindful of what products we bring into the home. Using safe, biodegradable, and eco-friendly cleaning products protects our family from indoor air pollution, inflammatory and allergic reactions, and helps the environment. So what’s next?

Solutions and alternatives

Before you toss everything and head to the store, take inventory and know your replacements first. Finding safer solutions and alternatives can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. Especially when you’re trying to read labels and google ingredient names you could never pronounce in the middle of the shopping aisle.

You might even settle for grabbing the name-brand products labeled “green” to save time and headache. However, products labeled “green” are not always better.

Because I want natural and simple living to be obtainable for everyone, I will be creating a mini-guide to save you time, money, and effort. You can download my Cleaner Home Solutions Mini-Guide for free once it is available (psst, make sure you’re on my email list).

Also, make sure you check out my recent post on self-care and consider using safe and clean alternatives to popular self-care items.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Some great spring cleaning products to start

ECOS® Non-Toxic Orange All Purpose Cleaner, 22oz Bottle by Earth Friendly Products (Pack of 2)

Seventh Generation Seventh Gen. Professional Tub & Tile Cleaner Spray

Dr. Bronners – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented, 32 Ounce) – Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Hair, Laundry, Dishes, For Sensitive Skin, Babies, No Added Fragrance, Vegan, Non-GMO
Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Emerald Cypress and Fir, 32 oz Bottle, 1Each
ECOS Non-Toxic Hypoallergenic Dishmate Dish Soap, Almond, 25oz Bottle by Earth Friendly Products (Pack of 2)
Biokleen Auto Dish Powder – Free And Clear – 32 Oz (2 LB Bottle)
Biokleen Bac-Out Stain+Odor Remover, Destroys Stains & Odors Safely, for Pet Stains, Laundry, Diapers, Wine, Carpets, & More, Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic, Plant-Based, 16 Ounces
Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets, Citrus, 45 Count
Molly’s Suds Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder, 120 Loads, Natural Laundry Soap for Sensitive Skin, 80.25 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Molly’s Suds Wool Dryer Balls (set of 3) – Natural Fabric Softener, Reduce Drying Time, Reusable, Chemical Free, Unscented
Heinz Cleaning Vinegar (1 gal Jug)
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda – 64 oz

In addition to the list above, I will be sharing a mini-guide with store brands and DIY products. If you want to get your hands on the Cleaner Home Solutions Mini-Guide for store brand and DIY natural and non-toxic solutions, join our Homemakers Community email list so you don’t miss this free gift.

Tools and references

American Lung Association: Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals

Enviornmental Working Group (EWG) search engine to find out the safety rating of products

Envirornmental Working Group study on cleaning supplies and your health

Lung Study: Cleaning at home and at work in relation to lung function decline and airway obstruction

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safer choice search engine for products 

woman cleaning home with non-toxic products clean home

Challenge! Before you leave the blog, grab a tote or basket and collect all of your cleaning supplies and household products. Then, lay them out and make notes of products you want to replace. After you have your list, decide which alternative products you will use for those you are replacing.

Finally, comment below and share which products you want to get rid of. If you are already using biodegradable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic products, share your favorites below to help others. DIY recipes are encouraged and welcomed!

Filed Under: Simple Living

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Hi, I’m Deanna, mom of 2, homemaker, and lover of Jesus. Follow along for homemaking tips on all things homeschool, motherhood, and simple living. Read more about me here.

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