As I read a book that I checked out from our local library, I was horrified by some of the things that were revealed through their writings. It includes common sense observations as well as scientific studies although those studies were from America, England, and Australia. I assume it's because other languages were not readable by them, but I can't be one hundred percent sure. I'm sure that similar studies must have been done in other countries and simply were not used because of the language barrier.
The book is called "What's in This Stuff?" by Patricia Thomas. In it, she discusses what is in the foods we eat, cosmetics, cleaning products and more. Did you know that there are no tests or certifications required for our cosmetics and household cleaners? While I am not saying that's wrong, I share that fact because I am sure that many people believed, like I did, that everything we use is safe for us to use.
Did you know that these manufacturers are also not required to list all of the ingredients on an ingredient label? Okay, that definitely should be required, don't you think?
What's more, when chemicals are tested they are tested individually, not in combination with other chemicals which can result in a cocktail effect. Look at the ingredients in your products, are any chemicals used individually? I would venture to say there are very few that are based on the survey of chemicals in my house. For more information on this type of thing, please read the book.
She also discusses the alarming rise in diseases such as cancers and diabetes, among many other diseases. I believe their implications are correct when they tie our chemical usage to those products, it just makes sense to me that the rise in usage of chemicals corresponds with the rise in the rates of these diseases. While they do not claim that these chemicals are the sole cause of the rise in these diseases, I too have been suspecting their involvement in some of our family's heath issues as of late.
I am planning on trying to cut as many chemicals as I possibly can from being used in our house. Luckily I am already doing many of the suggestions in the book such as using makeup and hairspray only occasionally so it won't be a huge lifestyle change. I will make use of more natural cleaners and air fresheners.
They have many wonderful alternatives included in the book. I think I'll be saving a lot of money by not buying this junk any more so it's an added bonus in our tough economy. We can save money and live a healthier lifestyle too!
My husband thinks that this is crazy, and the only way to really get things clean is to use commercial cleaners. I will not throw them out, so he can use them if he chooses to clean. I refuse to use them anymore.
I wonder if he'll go along with the natural deodorants that they are talking about.
Thank you for stopping by. Please leave me a message. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Cindy
12 comments:
I make a great spray cleaner for counters and so forth: 1/4 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, few drops of dishwashing liquid (literally, just a few drops). Put this in a spray bottle and then fill up with water. I've used big spray bottles and small spray bottles, and I may put a little more or less ammonia and alcohol in, but it always works really well. This is a nice little concoction.
I originally did this for cost reasons, but now I do it because it seems simpler and better.
Great post. Thanks!
I stopped using cleaning products a long time ago ... vinegar and baking soda are good alternatives. I think I stopped many years ago, not because of what was in them, but because they were so expensive and I was on a limited budget. Now I can afford them, I won't buy them because of the chemicals and damage to the environment. Good luck on your cause to use more environmentally safe products. Your last couple of posts have been interesting reading.
I agree with you! I've always felt that cancers, allergies and asthma are on the rise because our whole planet is becoming more toxic. I think anything we can do to minimize chemical usage is very sensible. And honestly, how darn clean do things REALLY need to be? I think the chemicals are more harmful than whatever we're cleaning up with them, for the most part. Think of how people in undeveloped countries live-while they need better basic healthcare, they don't care if every darn crumb is off the floor. In fact, the floor is probably dirt, anyway! When I was a kid, one of our neighbors had a dirt floor in the kitchen, and used an outhouse up until I was in Jr. High. Their kids were healthier than anybody else's!
I mainly use bleach, ajax, or ammonia(NOT mixed together) that is all. I never buy bottled cleaners. I mix the Ammonia with water to wash glass and the Bleach I use in laundry or cleaning the shower/counters etc. I also use the Ajax for cleaning. I use dish soap to wash the floors. We use bleach in the kitchen at school and Ajax too. The bleach sanitizes and cleans. I figure its been around forever and is what my Grandmother etc used. My Great Aunt is 102 almost 103 and used the same things. I also think it depends on each persons tolerance for cleaners. Some people have sensitive skin and probably should not use anything. I have ran into cosmetics that made me have a reaction. I don't wear much make up mainly mascara/eye liner and thats it. I stick with Cover Girl and have not had any problems so far. I have had problems with other brands though. Yikes and then there is hair color. I can't live with out that! (-: I use Loreal and have had good luck so far with that too. I am sure that is loaded with chemicals too. What is interesting is that the cream form and the liquid form are different in the way they color. I can't use the cream type. Something in that one I can't tolerate. Tresemme products make my head itch like crazy! I can't stand them. Wonder what is in that stuff? Geez I could go on and on here...lol You get the idea.(-: Hope you have a great weekend!!!
Yes, it's scary isn't it? We have become dependent on fast and easy. There is so much out there that causes harm to our bodies. It sounds like a great book and even if a person comes away changing one thing, it's a step in the right direction.
Have a Fantastic Friday!
Kathi :)
It sure does kind of make one wonder for sure. I am surprised there are no tests for these products.
On a good note, I love your concoction J and have jotted down the recipe for use here. I am always using ammonia already.
That sounds like a book that would give me nightmares. When I stop to think about all the stuff I use on a daily basis (make-up, hair spray, deodorant, lotions, cleaners, etc.), it's scary. I don't think I can give up make-up or hair color but I can definitely make changes in cleaning products (and have). I think the chemicals are having an affect too ~ how can they not?? There has to be something environmental causing all the cancer. That's a "deep" read Cinj ~ I should make selections like that but when I read I usually pick something light and entertaining.
Cinj, I have named you in my list of Friendly Bloggers. If you'd rather not further the award that is ok with me, but I do want you to know I thought of you. If you would like to see the post CLICK HERE.
Scary. And the doctors wonder about allergies.
Cinj, White vinegar works great as a glass cleaner. Orange oil and baking soda make great bathroom cleaner. Together, they work better than anything else I have ever used. Murphy's oil soap on funiture and hardwood floors. I can't use chemical cleaners because of asthma.
Hi everyone. Thanks for stopping by. There are many great alternatives in these kind of books. I will post some of them sometime. I know I'm going to be more careful about what we use around here from now on!
Did you know that hairspray is liquid plastic? I guess I knew that already because of the residue it leaves behind, but I hadn't really thought much about it before.
Hello Cinj,
Just dropping by to say good morning! I hope you had a great weekend!
Kathi :)
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