Chem-Free Cleaning



Holistic living goes beyond what we put inside our bodies or directly upon our skin. Part of holistic living is to be aware of everything that will enter your environment. Among those important factors are cleaning and our cleaning products.

Cleaning can be a way of preventing the spread of certain diseases by reducing the impact of molds, bacteria, and viruses. Unfortunately, many times we look towards toxic chemical cleaners. Chemical cleaners can pose a threat to our health, especially when used incorrectly. We can become affected by chemical exposure via inhalation or direct contact.

Dangers of Toxic Chemical Exposure

 Effects from toxic chemical exposure are generally broken into two categories: acute and chronic.
Acute effects are short-term and usually take place almost immediately after exposure. It can manifest in rashes, eye irritations, swelling of the throat, dizziness or even passing out.
Chronic effects are normally caused by regular exposure to harmful substances or fumes over periods of time. Results of this kind of exposure can take years to appear, which can include damage to the nervous system or liver damage.[1, 2]

If you take a look at the warning labels of your favorite cleaning products, you will see that many of them instruct to use in a well-ventilated room and to don skin protection to prevent such effects.

Some Natural Chem-Free Substitutes

Castile Soap

This is indeed a wonder-soap! Castile is known to be used for personal cleaning and hygiene care, however, it can be used as a gentle household cleaning product. One of its greater uses is as a substitute for dish-washing liquid ( you only need a few drops!).


White Vinger

One of the most popular ways to use white vinegar in cleaning is to clean glass. You can use vinegar to clean many other areas of your home such as your refrigerator or toilet bowl. You can add a citrus essential oil to combat the smell of the vinegar when you are using it for cleaning.

The acidity level in vinegar gives it the ability to cleanse and remove build-up. Because of its acidic nature, you will want to dilute the vinegar with water or other cleaning combinations so it does not leave stains or other damages. You do not want to use vinegar on natural stone surfaces (like granite or marble) or porous surfaces (like hardwood surfaces).[3]

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil contains great antibacterial properties, making it perfect for cleaning. You want to make sure you dilute this product as well. You can make a simple all-purpose cleaner by combining 1/2 cup of vinegar, 3 cups of water, ten drops of tea tree essential oil and, ten drops of citrus essential oil (this is optional for scent). Shake up in a bottle and its ready for use.

Baking Soda

This is one of my personal cleaning favorites. Baking soda is slightly abrasive, perfect for scrubbing rings out of the tub or stubborn build up on pots and pans. Baking soda has the ability to absorb smells and deodorize. You can shake a few drops of your favorite essential oils and baking soda in a container and sprinkle on your carpet, about 5-10 mins before vacuuming. A quick and easy way to get that fresh feeling in any carpeted room.



While you may not be able to use these cleaning substitutes for every situation, they are definitely suitable for daily and light household cleaning. If you must use a chemical based product to clean, be sure to protect yourself properly by wearing gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear.

Disclaimers

  • All product reviews are based on my experiences. Please be advised that everyone may not have the same experience. I am not affiliated with any product or marketing unless otherwise noted. Please check with manufacture disclaimers prior to use of any product.
  • All advice, information, and remedies should be taken into severe consideration. Please contact your health practitioner or holistic practitioner if you are struggling with a disease or currently taking any form of medication, pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • These statements-unless otherwise noted- have not been evaluated by the FDA 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Product Review: Mine Botanicals African Black Soap

Image
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم I love finding natural body care products! When I was first introduced to this line, it was given to me as a gift from my parents. It has been a favorite ever since! I have only tried these four varieties, but each of them has never failed to deliver some form of satisfaction for my skin. What I love most about these products is that I can recognize every ingredient and see the benefits from each one. All of these soaps add softness and rejuvenate my skin. I particularly like the smell of the African Black soap enriched with Tea Tree, Shea butter, and Aloe vera .  The Milk And Honey enriched with Coconut oil and Shea Butter is the most hydrating, so I prefer using this or the one with Oatmeal on my face. It has proven itself as an excellent support for irritated skin. The very first one that I have tried was the African Black Soap Organic Shea Butter enriched with Avocado oil and Black seed . Not only did I use this one as a body soap but as
Read more

Edible Mushrooms

Image
A familiar sight in savory dishes, the mushroom has trecked throughout history earning a worthy place in cuisines around the globe. It was considered a "plant of immortality" by the Ancient Egyptians, who entitled it strictly for the pharaoh's enjoyment. The medicinal properties were held into account as well as its culinary purpose. In Rome, wild-foraged mushrooms were thoroughly enjoyed in the diet. Different ways of cultivating the mushrooms were introduced early in Roman civilization, around 200 BC.[ 1 , 2 ] Mushroom farming became popular in the Western world by a French gardener by the name of Chambry. He discovered the effectiveness of growing mushrooms in caves, where the humidity was high. With the abundance of deserted caves, mushrooms were grown all throughout Paris. [ 3 ] Types of Mushrooms and Their Benefits  The most recognized and used mushrooms in the US are White Buttons, Portabella, and Criminis ( Baby Bellas- which are just immature portabella mu
Read more

The Tree's Candy: Dates

Image
Dates are very popular this time of year due to the Blessed Month of Ramadhan. It's highly recommended for Muslims to break their fast with three dates and water upon the setting of the sun.  I remember seeing a freshly opened box of dates as a child and an adult handing me three plump dates into my eager hands. I would hear them say that dates were healthy for you but at that time, all I knew it was the best candy-fruit in the world. Photo Credit: Stan Shebs Background Dates were cultivated about 7,000 years ago in what is now modern Iraq, Iran, and the Indus Valley area near Pakistan. Before then, however, dates were still flourishing and eaten all over North Africa and the Middle East. It was the fruit of the nomads and kings alike. It's naturally bacteria-resistant due to its high sugar content making it a perfect survival food that can practically last forever once dried.  [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Aside from eating them as a plain fruit, the flesh of dates could be
Read more