Non-Toxic Cleaners

You have probably heard a lot about non-toxic cleaners lately, and maybe you have seen some on the store shelves. More than likely, you have been approached by someone who wants you to buy “non-toxic” cleaners from them and even make money when you buy them from yourself and get your friends to sign up. If you are like me, you question everything on the ingredient list, and when you can’t make heads or tails of it, you put it back on the shelf.

You may have realized that our government ("FDA") does not really protect us from harmful foods, and it  certainly does not protect us from chemicals that should never have been approved for use. It also does not make a clear distinction between what is “safe” and what is “not safe.” So how do you believe the claims? You can trust the marketing, or you can scrutinize each product that you use and find one that you feel most comfortable using. But why does it matter? If you don't choke on your cleaning products, and you're wondering why in the world you should stop using them, or even give it another thought, consider this:

• 150 chemicals found in the home are connected to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological disorders. (Source: Consumer Protection Agency)

• The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL CODE OF REGULATIONS exempts manufacturers from full labeling of products if used for personal, family, or household care. (USA FCR: Section 1910, 1200C. Title 29, Section 1500.82 2Q1A)

• Out of 2,435 pesticide poisonings in a one year period, over 40% were due to exposure to disinfectants and similar cleaning products in the home. (State of California Study)

• Most laundry detergents contain a form of NTA. NTA is a substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen. (The Merck Index)

• Household bleaches which claim to disinfect are classified as pesticides under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. (Guide to Hazardous Products Around the Home, Household Hazardous Waste Project, 1989)

• In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men, 82% for women). The higher rate for women is believed to be due to women's longer exposure times to household chemicals. (Center for Disease Control)

• Diseases that used to occur later in life are now appearing at younger ages. Diseases that used to be rare are more frequent, for example: There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of pesticides into household products. Cancer is now the #2 killer of children - second only to accidental poisonings. Since 1977 the rate of cancer among American children has been steadily rising at a rate of nearly 1% each year. (National Cancer Institute)

• Warning labels on containers refer only to toxic hazards from ingestion, however, only 10% of health problems from chemicals are caused by ingestion. 90% are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption of particles.

• Growing up on Chemicals: Our Children's Toxic Environment

• http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/media/cleaners_rm_030311.ram

How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners

The best way to avoid toxic cleaning products is to make your own non-toxic cleaners, and here is a great product to help you out! You will receive 3 sheets, front and back, with instructions on cleaning your kitchen, bathroom, living room, floors and carpets. Our homemade cleaning instructions also include natural air fresheners, metal polish, mold & mildew removal, as well as natural laundry methods. As a bonus, you will also receive a list of ingredients to watch out for in your current cleaning supplies. These sheets are laminated so that you can use them while mixing and using the ingredients during your cleaning session. Supplies are in bold print, so that you can see what you will need for each task, or to make your shopping list. Also, the font is pretty large for easier reading.

OxiClean ® Baby Kit	OxiClean ® Free	OxiClean ® Laundry Detergent	OxiClean ® One-Step Automatic Dishwasher Detergent