I am excited to share with you four weeks on Ditch and Switch of topics that I feel are the top places we have repeat excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.
I am passionate about this topic as I have seen first hand the effects of environmental toxins on our bodies, health, and endocrine system.
On week one of the #lvditchandswitch month, I want to start off with a BANG and dig right into cleaning supplies.
This is a hotter topic than usual with the weather changing heading into the cooler seasons. Everyone wants to stay well, so the household cleaning may have ramped up a bit.
According to environmental experts, the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals. From PHTHALATES + SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES that are known endocrine disruptors (found in air fresheners, dish soap, and even toilet paper). To 2-BUTOXYETHANOL that can contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and liver and kidney damage (found in window, kitchen, and multipurpose cleaners). These are just two chemicals of many.
However, today I would like to expose some of the top red flag items, where they’re found, and their potential side effects.
Ditch and Switch – The Worst Chemicals in Cleaning Supplies
These potentially toxic chemicals commonly found in cleaning products, laundry detergents, air fresheners, and more can negatively affect not only our personal health and the health of our families, but they also affect the health of our ever-injured environment (fish don’t like or deserve poisons any more than we do).
This list below is very abbreviated, but it’s a good place to start when you begin making safer choices at home.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES
The word “fragrance” on ANY label is typically a mixture of several dozen to several hundred chemicals, most of which have not been evaluated for their safety. This is a loophole in the governing systems that allow companies to claim that their fragrance “recipe” is a trade secret. This is appalling and unacceptable on all levels.
The words fragrance, perfume or parfum on ANY label should be avoided at all costs. Look for EO or essential oils instead. And yes, this means most perfumes, candles, plug-ins, air fresheners, detergents, cleaning products, and personal care products like skincare and makeup. Smelling like synthetic berries are not as sweet as it sounds.
Potential Health Effects:
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma
- Endocrine disruption
- Neurotoxicity
- Cancer
- Respiratory / lung issues
STABILIZERS
Included to help stabilize a formula for longer shelf life. Examples include ethylene oxide or polyalkylene oxide.
Potential Health Effects:
- Eye irritation
- Skin reactions like rash and dermatitis
- Lung irritation
BLEACH
Either separately or included in a detergent formula, when chlorine bleach combines with wastewater, toxic organic compounds are formed. Bleach is unsafe for us to touch, breathe in and spread onto surfaces or clothing. What goes ON our body ends up IN our body. Toss the Clorox wipes today. It’s time.
Potential Health Effects:
- Skin reactions like rash and dermatitis
- Eye irritation
- Lung and respiratory problems
- Kidney and liver damage
PHOSPHATES AND EDTA
Included in formulas to soften hard water, remove grease and dirt, and suspend dirt so that it doesn’t settle back on clothes or dishes during the wash cycle.
Potential Health Effects:
- Skin rash
- Dizziness
- Throat, breathing and lung issues
Environmental Impact:
- Many US states have banned phosphates in dishwasher detergents because the chemical compounds also pollute lakes, bays, and streams.
- These compounds create algae blooms and starve fish of oxygen.
- Widespread damage to ecosystems are found to be toxic in animal studies.
- And yes, any residue left on clothes or dishes can have the same effects on us. Real nice.
OPTICAL WHITENERS
Chemicals that remain on the surface of the fabric to absorb UV light and help clothing appear brighter, whiter, and more vibrant. This is an optical illusion. They are synthetic chemicals added to laundry detergent. On the label, you may see optical brightening agents, fluorescent brighteners, fluorescent white dye.
Potential Health Effects:
- Contact dermatitis
- Possible genetic mutations in aquatic life. Not good.
1,4 DIOXANE
This is a trace contaminant of some chemicals used in cosmetics, detergents, and shampoos. The most common example is a by-product of sodium lauryl sulfate. There is some controversy around SLS, but we recommend avoiding it completely. The EPA has established that 1,4 dioxane is likely to be carcinogenic to humans. So the big question is: Why would we slather it on our skin and wash our clothes and dishes with it? Um, no thanks. BIGGER question: Why is this even legal?
Potential Health Effects:
- Cancer
- Respiratory issues
- Allergies
- Hormone disruption
- Kidney disease
- Nervous system disorders
- Brain toxicity
- Liver disease
- Immune system impairment
SURFACTANTS
These are compounds that interact with both water and soil to help them mix together so the soil will wash away with the water. Surfactants are petroleum-based ingredients and largely unregulated and untested for safety in humans. So wait, these are chemicals that are often added to help a product “clean better” (this makes no sense to us at all). Here are a few chemicals that act as surfactants:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Quaternium-15 (formaldehyde)
- Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LA)
- Benzene
- Petroleum distillates
Potential Health Effects:
- Organ toxicity
- Developmental and reproductive problems
- Neurotoxicity
- Possible mutations
- Cancer
- Eye and skin irritation
- Lung damage
- Liver problems
Environmental Effects:
- Toxic to aquatic life
I know what you’re thinking, now that I have you convinced and you’re pulling out the items from under the kitchen sink to toss them out what are you supposed to replace them with?!?
I want to share with you what I use and love in my home. My favorite safe cleaning company is one called SQUEAK!
Make sure to join me live on Tuesday at Laurenvalentino.com Facebook Page. I have a special treat just for you! I have the opportunity to interview the CEO and developer of SQUEAK, Jayna Crittenden. Like and follow my page so you don’t miss it. 💚
I can’t wait for you to experience her! Her passion and excitement over keeping your family safe & clean is contagious. She is graciously giving us a bit of her time to talk safer cleaning & shares her company with us!
You won’t want to miss it!
Shop at https://getsqueakywithus.com
Jayna graciously offered this amazing tribe 15% discount (bundles not included), use code LV15
**Meanwhile, log into and bookmark www.ewg.org and www.womensvoices.org for unbiased information and guidance as well.