A clean home is a must to protect our health as it is through greasy, dusty, and grimy environments that bacteria thrive. They expose us to diseases such as influenza, strep throat, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infection. There are those who are very particular with tidiness, especially mothers who have little ones.
We purchase cleaning products to help us achieve cleanliness, but some can do us more harm than good as they contain chemicals that cause an increase in blood pressure and even cancer. Considering these two are among the leading causes of death in the US, it is somewhat alarming as to whether being clean promotes longevity. To think people back then didn’t have the cleaning products that we have now.
People are starting to realize that most products in the market are harmful to our environment that’s why there are more and more organizations who are promoting natural alternatives for the everyday products we use such as soap, shampoo, stain remover, air purifier, and other home cleaning products.
Natural Alternatives For Our Commonly Used Products:
Essential Oils, Flowers, And Herb Garden
We all want a fragrant abode as it gives a sense of pleasure coming home to a lavender scent. There are hundreds of air fresheners sold in the market, and people buy them because they are fast and convenient. However, air fresheners have chemicals that harm the environment and our health. They can cause allergies, endocrine disruption, and cancer.
“The principles of aromatherapy stretch back to antiquity when botanicals were used from everything for healing a cut to hydrating the face,” writes Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D.
Instead of using synthetic air fresheners, we can use our favorite essential oils such as orange and eucalyptus. We could also place fresh flowers on tables or put up an indoor herb garden to add fragrance to the home. These natural alternatives are as fragrant and at the same time beneficial to our health. They are calming and relaxing, and they promote clean air.
Paper Or Reusable Bottle Containers
“We live in a world of plastic, but by being informed consumers, we can help to protect vulnerable populations in order to improve the wellbeing of all those in our communities,” writes Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D.
We are suffering from plastic pollution as we have long used plastic as disposable containers for almost all the products we consume. Yes, it is convenient, but what do we do to the planet we live in? The marine life is the most affected as the ocean is where our trashes go. As a result, fish and other marine life swim in a sea of plastic.
Instead of using disposable plastic containers, why don’t we bring reusable bags when going to the grocery store and support stores that don’t use plastics? For instance, when buying milk and other drinks, there are stores that allow you to bring your own bottle to fill.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
We use dishwashing soap and other home cleaning products. However, as mentioned earlier, they contain chemicals that are harmful to our health and the environment such as formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Instead of using our commonly used home cleaning products, we can use baking soda and vinegar solution as they are both useful in cleaning, removing stains, and deodorizing. Some pet lovers also use this solution as tick and flea repellent as they are safe to use for their beloved dogs or cats.
“Betaine HCL and Apple Cider Vinegar are helpful for folks with insufficient stomach acid to break down food (common signs of this are heartburn or upset stomach),” writes Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.
As much as we want our home to be clean, we should be mindful of the products we use because we may create more harm to our family’s health. Exposing them to harmful chemicals can slowly affect their wellness, and the last thing we want is to know that we have caused them the very thing we are protecting them from – disease!