Not so fun fact: Various studies have shown that in the United States, the amount of harmful chemicals indoors are usually around 3-5 times, but as much as 1,000 times, higher than levels outdoors. Furthermore, this holds true even in some of the most polluted areas in the country.
I know I’m always harping on the fact that is it just as important to eliminate as many toxins in your environment as it is to watch what you eat or put on your body, but seriously – it’s IMPORTANT!!! We spend a majority of our time inside, and we need to make sure that we are keeping that area as healthy as possible! Don’t wait to get sick to make a change – make a change now, and just watch how much healthier you feel! Okay, let me step off my soapbox now.
I’m going to share my safe and effective homemade all purpose cleaner with you in this post. It’s toxin free, safe, effective, saves money, and best of all, it’s SO easy! It only has three ingredients with one of them being optional – easy peasy, for real!
- Vinegar
- Water
- Essential Oil (optional)
- That’s it! Post done.
- Just kidding. 🙂
Some great reasons to make your own cleaners are
- It’s easy.
- It saves money.
- It reduces toxic chemicals in your environment.
- It’s better for your health.
- It’s better for your environment.
So, let’s talk a little about the third reason up there – reducing toxic chemicals! Many store bought all purpose cleaners are filled with harsh chemicals that are terrible for our health and the environment. Here’s some of them!
- Ammonia: Ammonia is caustic and irritating. It can cause disturbing health symptoms such as burns to the nose, mouth or throat when inhaled which can result in bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. It can also cause coughing, eye and skin irritation, and severe injury and burns.
- 2-butoxyethanol: 2-butoxyethanol is a solvent that soaks through the skin and damages red blood cells, and can cause irritation of mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat. It is listed in the U.S. state of California as a hazardous substance, and heavy exposure via respiratory, skin absorption or oral routes can lead to hypotension, metabolic acidosis, hemolysis, pulmonary edema and coma.
- Nonylphenol ethoxylate: Exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylates through inhalation or through dermal contact may cause irritation of the lungs, digestive system, skin and eyes. This chemical is also thought to interfere with hormones and may therefore interfere with the reproductive system. They are listed as endocrine disrupting chemicals on the EU list.
- Sodium hypochlorite: Sodium hypochlorite can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Exposure to high levels can result in severe corrosive damage to the eyes, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues and can be fatal. Sodium hypochlorite has been found 6 times in the 1,585 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
There are quite a few more, but these are just some of them to give you an idea of how damaging these chemicals can be to our health and environment. Okay, now for the good news – there is an alternative that works just as well in cleaning many surfaces, and is a gazillion times safer! Like I mentioned above, the recipe is incredibly easy, and will DEFINITELY save you money!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- essential oils of your choice (I use tea tree, lemon, and lime)
Directions:
Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray on surface to be cleaned and wipe with a clean rag.
So easy and so much better for you! Enjoy! 🙂
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor a medical professional. The information presented on this site is for educational and entertainment purposes only. One should always consult with their doctor or medical professional before taking on any sort of major dietary or lifestyle changes.
Sources:
Loving and Laughing 