We think of our homes as our sacred spaces, taking pride in them, keeping them clean. But the various cleaning products you use might be filling your home with toxic chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are inhaled or absorbed through your skin and when inside the body mimic and alter the hormones, causing thyroid disfunction, fertility and reproductive issues, digestive issues, and insulin disfunction.
Toxic Chemicals to Avoid: Read your cleaning product labels!
- Phthalates: Found in fragrances, known to cause early puberty and fertility issues. By law, companies do not have to disclose ANY of the chemicals found in fragrance. Avoid the term “fragrance” on a label.
- Triclosan: An antibacterial agent in dish soaps/detergents, known to affect thyroid function and fertility.
- Ammonia: Used for it’s “streak-free” finish. Causes respiratory issues.
- Chlorine: Found in scouring powders, toilet cleaners, shower scrub. One of the top endocrine disruptors, affecting the Thyroid.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Found in oven cleaner. This chemical is extremely corrosive and can damage airways.
- Perchloroethylene “PERC”: Found in dry cleaning solutions, spot removers, rug cleaners. PERC is a proven neurotoxin (a substance that alters the nervous system)
- Formaldehyde: Found in heavy duty cleaners, a known neurotoxin and carcinogen that has been shown to be a cause of ALS. Regulations banned formaldehyde BUT manufacturers came up with different names for it: Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15.
- 2-Butoxyethanol: Found in all purpose cleaners and sprays, known to cause liver and kidney damage.
- Parabens: Used as a preservative in cleaning products, mimics estrogen in the body causing early puberty in children and fertility issues/cancers in adults.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 20 drops of lemon essential oil
Combine in a glass spray bottle.
All Purpose Spray
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1.5 cups filtered water
- 20 drops of essential oils
Combine in a glass spray bottle.
Marble/Granite Cleaner
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1.5 cups filtered water
- 1/2 teaspoon pure castile soap
- 20 drops essential oils
Combine in a glass spray bottle.
Glass Spray
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Combine in a glass spray bottle.
Oven Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup dish soap or castile soap
- 3/4 cup filtered water
Combine ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Apply a thin layer to inside surfaces of oven and let sit for 20 minutes. Scrub with sponge or steel wool to remove stuck on bits. Wipe clean with a dry towel.
Sink/Bath/Shower Scrub
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 10 drops of essential oils
Combine into a paste and scrub sink with a wet sponge. Rinse and dry.
Mildew/Mold Cleaner
- 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1.5 cups water
- 20 drops tea tree oil
Combine ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Spray mixture on surface and let sit for 1 hour. Rinse and let air dry.
Wood Floor Cleaner
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 gallon water (just fill a bucket)
- 10 drops essential oil
- I also like to combine in a squirt bottle:
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup distilled vinegar
- 10 drops essential oil (orange or lemon)
Tile Floor Cleaner
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 gallon water (just fill a bucket)
- 10 drops essential oil
- 1 tablespoon castile soap
Naturally Antibacterial Essential Oils
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Lime
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Cinnamon
- Lemon
- Lavendar
- Eucalyptus
- Tea Tree
- Clove
- Thyme
