Green Cleaning + Hidden Toxins
Did you know that your hand soap could be disrupting your hormones?
We never really paid attention to our cleaning & household products, but as long as they were labelled "green," we didn't look into it. However, after watching the documentary Stink and digging into the toxicity of household products, we did more research. And we couldn't unlearn what we learned.
The good news is that once we found out about all of these toxins, we replaced our cleaners with safe, nontoxic DIY options!
The average household contains over 62 toxic chemicals, environmental experts say. These ingredients in common household products like phthalates in synthetic fragrances to noxious fumes in oven cleaners have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity.
And because exposure to these chemicals happen mainly through inhalation and the skin, absorbed chemicals go straight to your organs.
Chemicals to avoid (check out your current cleaners for these!):
Phthalates - found in air fresheners, dish soap, toilet paper (if you see the word "fragrance" on a label, there's a good chance phthalates are present); why it's bad: known endocrine disruptors
Perchloroethylene or "PERC" - found in dry-cleaning solutions, spot removes, carpet cleaners; why it's bad: carcinogen, cancer-causing
Triclosan - found in most liquid dishwashing detergents and hand soaps labeled "antibacterial"; why it's bad: may disrupt endocrine function and probable carcinogen
Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, or "QUATS" - found in fabric softener liquids and sheets, most household cleaners labeled “antibacterial"; why it's bad: skin irritant, culprit for respiratory disorders
2-Butoxyethanol - found in window, kitchen and multipurpose cleaners; why it's bad: contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, severe liver and kidney damage
Ammonia - found in polishing agents for bathroom fixtures, sinks and jewelry; also in glass cleaner; why it's bad: causes respiratory issues and creates a poisonous gas if mixed with bleach
Chlorine - found in scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, laundry whiteners, household tap water; why it's bad: respiratory irritant and serious thyroid disrupter
Sodium Hydroxide - found in oven cleaners and drain openers; why it's bad: causes severe burns
Page Information Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/8-hidden-toxins-whats-lurking-in-your-cleaningproducts/
However, cleaning products labeled "green, "natural"or "biodegradable" doesn't mean they're nontoxic -
Download the app "Think Dirty" to check out your current household cleaners and toxicity levels!
Health Effects of Toxicity in Our Environment
There are toxins everywhere - in our food, air, clothes, basically everywhere we go. We inhale them, swallow them, and absorb them through our skin. Did you know there are more than 80,000 chemicals used in the United States alone?
"Some chemicals attack the genetic material in the nucleus of a cell, causing damage directly to the DNA, which may create an inheritable defect that is passed on to the next generation. This can lead to gene mutations, which can set in motion a sequence of events leading to cancer, birth defects, developmental or reproductive disorders. Chemicals that cause cancer are called carcinogens. Chemicals that cause birth defects are called teratogens. Chemicals that damage the normal development of the fetus, infant, or child, or damage our reproductive tissues are called developmental/reproductive toxicants.
Some chemicals can cause damage through their ability to interfere with normal hormone function. These chemicals are called endocrine disrupters. Through these various mechanisms, toxic chemicals can cause a long list of health problems. They include, for example, direct damage to the lungs, liver, kidney, bones, blood, brain and other nerves, and the reproductive systems. There are hundreds of adverse health effects that can arise from exposures to chemicals or metals. These potential effects include cancer; high blood pressure; asthma; deficits in attention, memory, learning, and IQ; Parkinson's-like diseases; infertility; shortened lactation; endometriosis; genital malformation; peripheral nerve damage; and dysfunctional immune systems."
Page Information Source: https://organicgrace.com/body-burden
And while we can't fully stay away from these chemicals and toxins, we can protect ourselves through our lifestyle, first becoming aware of what we use and consume, and then swapping out our products for more natural solutions that get the job done (and sometimes better).
Way to Reduce Toxic Load
Drink water
Avoid BPA's
Clean Green (read below for our favorite DIY's with essential oils)
Replace cosmetics and perfumes with chemical free options whenever possible
Go organic
Reduce stress - meditate daily
Movement daily
Why Use Essential Oils
Our favorite way to swap out these toxic chemical is in the form of essential oils!
Effective + Safe
Money Saver
Reduce Toxic Load
Reduce Waste + Single Plastic Use
Eco Friendly
Note: we only use Doterra essential oils - the most trusted and tested - even essential oils on the market that say "100% pure therapeutic" can contain only 3-10% pure essential oil since they're also not regulated and can be just as toxic and damaging to the body.
Non-Toxic Swaps
DIY Household Cleaners with Essential Oils
All Purpose Cleaners (in 16oz spray bottles):
2 Tbsp Onguard cleaning concentration + 20 drops lemon/wild orange and 16oz water
2 Tbsp Onguard cleaning concentration + 10 drops Onguard + 10 drops Tea Tree
15 drops Lemon, 15 drops Onguard, 15 drops Tea tree + 16oz purified water
For kitchen spraying counters, fridge handles, lunch bags. It works, it's CHEAP (cents per drop of oil), and unlike store bought cleaners, these come with side benefits (mood enhancing/immune boosting) instead of robbing our vitality.
Dusting Spray:
1 cup water
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
10 drops Lemon essential oil
Window Cleaner:
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
10 drops lemon
1 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
Floor Cleaner:
1 gallon hot water
1 cup white vinegar
10 drops lemon essential oil
Produce Spray:
2 cups of water
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
10 drops of Lemon essential oil in a 16oz spray bottle
Produce Soak:
Fill big bowl with water and add:
1/4 cup vinegar
a couple drops of lemon essential oil
Let produce soak for 10 minutes before rinsing it off
All Purpose Bathroom Spray:
16oz Glass Spray Bottle
15 drops Eucalyptus
15 drops Lemon
15 drops Tea tree
1/2 cup vinegar
2 Tbsp Onguard concentrate
Water to top it off
Room Refresh Sprays:
8oz Glass Spray Bottle
15 drops Grapefruit
15 drops Siberian Fir
15 drops Lavender
Water
8oz Glass Spray Bottle
20 drops Lavender
20 drops Eucalyptus
10 drops Peppermint
Water
Ultimate Bug Spray:
16oz Spray Bottle
20 drops Terrashield
20 drops Geranium
20 drops Lemon
20 drops Lavender
20 drops Lemongrass
20 drops Peppermint
10 drops Rosemary
10 drops Clove
Water
Optional: witch hazel/vodka/vinegar
Shower-cleansing spray:
20 drops Tea Tree
1/4 cup distilled vinegar
Top with water
Try some of these recipes out, bookmark this page for later, and let us know how it goes!
Start your new lifestyle with our guidance
Not a Doterra customer yet? Sign up HERE to grab your high-vibe essential oils and get access to our community, continuing education classes, and bonus resources while making your home GREEN! Waive the enrollment fee ($35) by getting an enrollment kit -
Bonuses (Originally $1285 but FREE if you purchase your oils through us):
Wellness Consult Call ($200) via Zoom so we can go over your health goals, show you how to use your oils, and map out a plan to meet all of your goals!
150 Ways to Use Your Oils Ebook: ($25)
Journey to Oils Quick Start Guide ($25)
Oil Fairy Favorites Home Remedies and Recipes ($35)
Access to online education with videos, webinars tutorials, recipes, and much more (normally $500)
Access to our 24/7 private Facebook group where you will find motivation, support, and guidance on how to best use your oils in your life (normally $500)
WhatsApp community support group & Ongoing support and guidance (PRICELESS)
