cleaning products Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Swap Out Hazardous Household Cleaning Products for These 8 Nontoxic Alternatives

AHA Publisher — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:16 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Every day we use products to clean our homes, sanitize surfaces, and freshen the air, all in the name of creating a healthy living environment. And why not? Ads we see on the TV, internet, and in magazines, placed by companies that claim to have not only our best interest at heart but our families as well, promise a clean, healthy, safe home. Why wouldn’t we believe them? Unfortunately, too many people are taught to trust those in power, the ones with the money, larger than life because “they know what’s best for us.” And those same people follow without question, allowing these entities to introduce toxic substances into our food, water, and the products used to supposedly clean our homes and create a healthy, safe environment. But researchers are uncovering startling information that tells a different story. The majority of common, popular household cleaning products are devastatingly harmful to humans and pets. Common Household Cleaning Products May Be More Harmful Than Previously Thought It is well documented that the only way to get past a tainted food supply is to buy local, organic, and fresh – and even that is questionable. Unsafe water is another concern that is finally coming onto the public’s radar. Toxic household cleaners are not necessarily a new conversation, but it is gaining more traction as research reveals just how hazardous they are. An alarming body of research recently published by the University of Bergen in Norway found that long-term use of cleaning products (once a week for twenty years) could have the same effect on the human body as smoking 20 cigarettes a day over a ten to twenty-year period. Researchers believe that this damage could occur due to the irritation of the mucous membranes that line the lungs caused by exposure to the chemicals in the cleaning products. Inhaling these chemicals frequently (at least once a week) over a long period of time (around twenty years) can result in airway changes that are destructive and extremely harmful. After all, the particles that are contained in the cleaning products are intended to clean surfaces, not enter the human body or be inhaled into the lungs. The containers have strong warnings about ingesting the products, but the truth is, the mucous membranes aren’t the only vulnerability; the eyes and skin are also significant conduits by which toxins can enter the body. This includes exposure to toxins during application or use and any airborne contamination lingering after the product has been used. This endangers others who may not have had direct contact with the products due to use but are present in the living environment and touch the surfaces or breathe in the fumes – even long after the product was used. The research concluded that household cleaning products create as much air pollution as cars. Exposure to Household Cleaning Products Can Lead to Severe Adverse Health Effects Chronic or long-term exposure to household disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners has been linked to several serious health conditions, including: Increased asthma symptoms and complications Increased risk of conditions associated with asthma such as COPD, scarred lung tissue, and lung infections Low sperm count Increased risk of developing COPD Miscarriage Damage to the nervous system Headaches or migraines Menstruation irregularities in women Symptoms of airway irritation or inflammation, including wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath Increased risk of pneumonia caused by exposure via inhalation Products that top the list as most hazardous include those that contain corrosive chemicals, such as drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners. Ammonia and chlorine are also harmful chemicals that many cleaning products proudly advertise right there on their labels. Laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and fragrance products are also laden with harmful chemicals. Many fragrances that are added to cleaning solutions can also cause serious health problems. Ditch Harmful Products and Try THESE Nontoxic Alternatives Cleaning your home should be to rid your living environment of harmful toxins, not introduce more of them. Harsh chemicals may remove dirt and germs from surfaces, but the damage they do to the human body is a steep price to pay. Even products that carry an “organic,” “green,” or “natural” label or certification can still emit air pollutants that can be harmful. Using nontoxic, truly natural cleaners will significantly reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals while keeping your home healthy, clean, and sanitized. The good news is all you need are eight staples that are probably in your pantry right now: Baking soda Gentle, non-scratch scrub Oven cleaner Drain cleaner Carpet deodorizer Litter box deodorizer Castile soap Laundry soap Bath soap All-purpose cleaner for home Shower cleaner Coconut oil Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal cleaning solutions Clean wood furniture Sanitize wood cutting boards Use instead of WD-40 to lubricate squeaky hinges, etc. Moisturize leather goods (instead of leather conditioner) Essential oils (citrus is a good choice but eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, and tea tree oil are nice too) General cleaner (added to water) Insect repellant or “bug spray” (add a few drops of citrus, eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, or tea tree oil to water and put in a spray bottle) Room freshener Put in a diffuser during illness (frankincense cleans the air, eucalyptus helps relieve stuffy heads) Use in homemade laundry soap Hydrogen peroxide General cleaning solution Antibacterial cleaner Clean food prep areas Lemons (peel and juice) Clean and freshen refrigerator Clean and freshen garbage disposal Room freshener Clean cutting boards Clean coffee maker Furniture polish Rubbing alcohol (vodka also works) Countertop cleaners Sanitize surfaces White vinegar Disinfectant (follow with hydrogen peroxide for deeper disinfecting) Window cleaner Clean tile floors and bathtub (mix with baking soda) All-purpose cleaner for countertops (except stone, marble, or granite countertops) Bathroom grout Using truly natural, nontoxic cleaning substances will help keep a healthier, cleaner home. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Thoracic.org OEM.BMJ.com To read the original article click here.

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WARNING: Study Shows Exposure to Household Cleaning Products May Be as Harmful as Car Exhaust

AHA Publisher — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 07:00:18 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Inherent in the phrase “cleaning product” is the idea that, upon using it, your space will become free of dirt, grime, and toxins. Unfortunately, in the latter case, that may not always be true. With COVID-19 bringing what we might call the “age of cleaning” into our homes, workplaces, and schools, we now coexist with a bunch of unwanted chemicals. Ironically, given that COVID is a respiratory disease, all this cleaning might actually be worse for our airways than doing nothing. A recent study found that commercial disinfectants can decrease indoor air quality and increase pollutants in both gas and aerosol form. Scientists Find Most Cleaning Products May Do More Harm Than Good Anyone who has ever stepped into a commercial building after the cleaning staff finished their work is then left with no doubt: that chemical smell is a very unhealthy feeling. With the use of strong disinfectants, that sharp smell is quite intense and, in many cases, sickening. Make no mistake about it: those synthetic scents are meant to cover up the cancer-causing chemicals within those products. The study’s authors carefully mimicked the indoor conditions of cleaners while taking measurements in real-time. What they discovered should shock all of us! Household Cleaning Aerosols May Emit More Harmful VOCs Than Cars, According to New Study Researchers discovered that commercial cleaning agents were detected in the air within minutes of their application to a surface. This was also noted to be in well-ventilated areas that convincingly duplicated those of a large office building. They measured a variety of pollutants, including oxidants, radicals, and aerosols, among others. In some cases, chemical concentrations were more than double that of normal outdoor amounts – without the same room to disperse. Why does that matter? In the study, researchers found that all those chemicals got sucked into human lungs. In fact, they deposited at rates comparable to or worse than that of aerosols inhaled from cars. Who Is at Risk of Developing Adverse Health Effects From Exposure to Cleaning Products? The short answer is that everyone is at risk with ubiquitous chemicals such as these. The longer answer is that we should be most concerned about people working with them routinely – cleaning staff, for example. Some of them spend all day, every day, using chemicals to disinfect common touchpoints throughout the office. They may also spend extra time disinfecting bathrooms and eating areas. In addition, let’s remember that due to the persistent COVID fear-mongering campaign, millions developed cleaning paranoia over the past two years – despite learning early in the pandemic that SARS-CoV-2 spreads by aerosolized droplets, not by touching surface areas. This means that attacking every office space as though COVID or other diseases are lurking on its surfaces may actually be counterproductive to our wellbeing. Redefine “Clean” by Saying NO to Toxic Chemicals That’s not to say cleaning is bad. We all intuitively understand the benefits of a clean home or workspace for mental health, and it turns out to be good for your immune system. But, be advised, take time to read product labels and opt for safer alternatives when purchasing cleaning products to be used in your home. We also need to follow science’s cues about which cleaning methods do and do not matter. Hopefully, this can be our wake-up call that adding toxic chemicals to indoor spaces won’t help fight a disease whose transmission isn’t affected by the use of these chemicals at all. Sources for this article include: Science.org DailyMail.co.uk DailyMail.co.uk To read the original article click here.

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Essential Oils That Can Neutralize the Harmful Effects of Viruses and Bacteria

AHA Publisher — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:00:21 +0000

Sharon Thomas via NaturalHealth365 – Who wouldn’t want to clean their home of the unwanted viruses and bacteria that may threaten one’s health? Unfortunately, many people, unknowingly, purchase the most toxic chemical cleaners to get the job done – which only create more harm than good. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) explains that commercial cleaning products can cause many health problems, including asthma, allergies, chemical burns and even birth defects or cancer. Simply put, avoid these poisonous products like “air fresheners” or “scented” cleaners. Instead, you can eliminate the threat of bacteria and viruses (naturally) with essential oils, which are concentrated essences from plants. Are Essential Oils Really Better Than Chemical Cleaners? A study in the journal Molecules explains that these plant essences are widely accepted for their antimicrobial qualities, and have been for a long time. Essential oils neutralize the potential negative effect of bacteria and viruses with the compounds they contain – which include phenylpropanoids and terpenes, explains the Phytotherapy Research journal. Essential oils offer a fantastic alternative to harmful chemical cleaners, as a study in the journal Support Care Cancerfound that essential oils are safe for fighting certain microbes. Of course, like most researchers will say, more research is needed. Is there any risk? Essential oils are only potentially harmful (in some cases) when ingested or by causing allergic reactions in contact with the skin, but they are not likely to cause harm when used as a household cleaner. In addition, you are supposed to dilute these concentrated oils with water, base oils like almond oil or other cleansers. Diluting the oils generally cuts down on its potential harmful effects. Discover the Best Essential Oils to Protect Your Health All essential oils seem to have the compounds that fight and help to effectively deal with microbes. Nonetheless, some may work better than others. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends using eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass and tea tree essential oils as natural antivirals and tea tree oil to deal with unwanted bacteria. Many experts, in the field of essential oils, will suggest using oregano, thyme, cinnamon, melissa and hyssop as strong antiviral agents. Nonetheless, many studies have shown that additional essential oils can be helpful, as well. For instance, you could use peppermint, lavender or clove oils. How Do I Use Essential Oils to Disinfect the Home? Many natural health experts suggest that you simply add a few drops of essential oils to a spray bottle filled with purified water to create a simple, effective and natural cleaner. You can use this combination to clean countertops, sinks and other areas in the bathroom, kitchen or throughout the home. How simple is that? You can also add some drops of essential oils to purified water to clean the floor or to other natural cleansers, such as baking soda, vinegar or washing soda. Add one type of essential oil or create a blend from a few different types and say “goodbye” to those nasty chemical cleaners. Are you looking for a specific recipe for cleaning with essential oils? Try mixing 10 drops of essential oils with two cups of hot water and 1/4 cup of washing soda. Put this mixture in a spray bottle to spray clean and disinfect your home. By the way, for those curious, washing soda (aka sodium carbonate) has high alkalinity, which gives it stain removal ability and should not be confused with baking soda. The two are completely different in chemical composition. Sources for this article include: EWG.org, MDPI.com, Motherearthliving.com, NAHA.org, Karger.com, NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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