Homemade Products Are Making a Comeback

For the last decade, individuals have come to learn and accept that the best cleaning products come from the big brand manufacturers. Homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart. Today, due to pollution and financial concerns, homemade cleaning products have been making a comeback.

Studies have shown that most households have over 100's hazardous products that contain hundreds of chemicals with the potential to greatly harm children, pets and individuals.  According to the Science and Environmental Health Network and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chemicals present in regular cleaners - such as chlorine bleach, phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - can interfere with the normal functions of the body systems and may even lead to cancer. Also, nonylphenols, a family of grime-removing surfactants found on these cleaners can be a threat to the environment in the long run as they become more toxic as they fragment. So, it only makes sense that if people who work hard to stay healthy and feeling good. That is why it only seemed natural that make sure the cleaning products and personal products that anyone can use are not putting toxins back into the body.

Natural Cleaning Products

All credit for this video goes to vtwarren, All natural green cleaning products that are safe and non-toxic!!!!

Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, do not pollute and save everyone money.  Most are found in everyone’s kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and anyone can easily and simply transform their home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.

Making nontoxic cleaning kit will take individuals no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit indivduals will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning. Non-toxic cleaning can give individuals a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that their family’s health is protected and that their home is a place for their bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.

This Article was by Michelle At People's Natural Living:

Hazardous Chemical Ingredients

Modern cleaning products are designed to kill germs and mold, clean and whiten our clothes, get rid of stains, and clean up our messes. However, the germs that we are trying to kill may not necessarily be as dangerous as the products we are using to kill them with.

Chlorine (Sodium hypochlorite)

In paper products, like toilet paper and paper towels, chlorine bleach causes the formation of dioxin, an extremely toxic and persistent chemical known to cause cancer and disrupt the endocrine system. Customers can find chlorine-free paper products from virtually any natural food stores.

In cleaning products, chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is a lung and eye irritant and if mixed with ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar), chlorine bleach releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to this gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.

Monoethanolamine (MEA)  
A toxin found in some laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and floor cleaners and is a known cause of occupational asthma.

Ammonium quaternary compounds - 
Disinfectants found in some disinfectant sprays and toilet cleaners that have been identified as the cause of occupational asthma.

Phthalates
Is a carrier for fragrance in glass cleaners, deodorizers, laundry detergents and fabric softeners are linked to allergic symptoms and asthma in children.

Alkylphenols and their derivatives
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates are found in some laundry detergents, disinfecting cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, spot removers, hair colors and other hair-care products, and spermicides.

Alkylphenol Ethoxylates form Alkylphenols during their environmental breakdown. These phenols are slow to bio-degrade and have been shown to disrupt the endocrine systems of fish, birds, and mammals. 
 

Ammonia

Eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation. If mixed with chorine, it releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems. 
 

Formaldehyde (a preservative in many products):

Suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs. 
 

Hydrochloric Acid or Sodium Acid Sulfate (found in toilet bowl cleaners)

Either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes.

Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (found in mothballs)

Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

Nitrobenzene (found in furniture and floor polishes):

causes skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects.

Perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (found in spot removers and carpet cleaners)

Can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen

Phenol[jeb1] and Cresol (found in disinfectants):

A corrosive that can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.

Phosphates 
Phosphates are minerals that act as water softeners. However, they also act as fertilizers which is why when phosphates are discharged into rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans they can cause a rapid growth of algae[sts3] , resulting in pollution of the water.

This Article was by Michelle At People's Natural Living

Toxicity Homes

It's difficult for consumers to know whether their favorite cleaner contains the chemical because manufacturers aren't required to list it on the label. Neither the state nor the federal government regulates indoor air pollution, for instance how the cleaners might degrade air inside a home.

Many cleaning products found today in the marketplace contain ingredients that can be harmful to human health.


Many people are unaware that these modern day conveniences are actually harming them so the least you can do is to inform others of the dangers they are facing every time they use household products.

If you are wondering if or why the cleaners you use may not be safe for you and the environment, the following information will help you understand and make a conscience decision when you buy and use cleaning products.

Household Cleaners Causing Health Problems

Scientists say most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Babies, elderly people and sick people spend almost all of their time inside.

Indoor air in the home has been found to have five times higher toxic chemical concentrations than outdoor air. A five-year study by US Environmental Protection Agency showed many indoor samples to be 70 times more toxic.

The breakdown of products coming from laundry detergents was found in 70% of the North American streams by the U.S. Geological Survey. The chemicals cause harm to the fish, frogs, turtles along with other aquatic life.

Cancer in smokers is the result of daily exposure to the trace amounts of carcinogens in cigarettes.

In the same way, people who are exposed daily to low levels of carcinogens in their cleaning products face the same risks. Chemicals in household products also put the user at risk from nervous system damage, kidney damage, liver damage and asthma. Children are especially vulnerable to the fumes released by these products.

In 1993, 1.8 million human poisonings were reported to the poison control centers in the U.S. 92% of the incidences took place in the home and 60% of the cases involved children under the age of five.

Chemicals may make household cleaning easier, but not always safer.

\Studies show that some chemical ingredients used in cleaning products increase the risk of long-term health problems, such as cancer and asthma, as well as short-term health problems, such as headaches and skin irritation. Chemicals that pose health risks are often considered toxic. Children exposed to toxic chemicals in household cleaning products may become more susceptible to cancers, later in life. This risk can be avoided or minimized as there are many inexpensive and non-toxic cleaning product alternatives. 
For List of Hazard Chemical in Cleaning Products Click Here

Some More Facts 
  The National Cancer Institute has a list of 20 known carcinogens (cancer causing substances) and over 2,200 chemicals that are probable carcinogens. Many of these chemicals are in the cleaners and personal care products you buy at your local store.

Over 150 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, psychological abnormalities, skin reactions, headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, loss of sleep, asthma, etc.

Dish washing detergent accounts for more accidental poisonings than any other household substance.

Dandruff shampoo, if swallowed, causes vital organs to degenerate.

Regular shampoos often contain formaldehyde (used to preserve bodies) as a preservative.

Insect spray can remain active and airborne in your home for up to 30 years.

Toxic chemicals found in the home are three times more likely to cause cancer than out-door airborne pollutants.

A large percentage of homes have chemical levels that are up to 70% higher inside the home than outside.

The average American home has 3-10 gallons of hazardous material.

This Article was by Michelle At People's Natural Living: