Well Women Guide to the dangers of Household Chemicals and finding Alternatives
Household Chemicals. Do you know the dangers? We have seen how the very food we eat can be dangerous, together with the beauty products and toiletries we are using. With so much exposure to toxic contaminants, what chance do we have of living a life free of disease? Then there are household chemicals. Drum roll please!!!! Why have we even got so many illnesses? Well, our modern world is full of chemicals that our immune systems simply can’t cope with. Therefore we have become susceptible to many illnesses brought about by our environment and modern living, such as cancer, autoimmune disease and many others that simply would not otherwise exist. In an ideal situation, we would be breathing clean air, drinking fresh chemical free water, eating fresh healthy produce and our skins would not need any form of product to keep them young. From the very air we breathe, to the water we drink, we are constantly in contact with dangerous substances. We need to protect ourselves, but how? Read my other pages first about beauty products and food. We can change to organic products and avoid foods that contain additives. We can increase our intake of healthy foods and fibres. We can use organic and natural toiletries and beauty products. We can increase vitamin supplements such as antioxidants to help scavenge free radicals in our bodies which are brought about by our chemical existence and subsequently cause disease in our very depleted and possibly malfunctioning immune systems.
Please Click HERE to read about Chemicals in beauty products
Then we have our household to consider. It seems that no matter which way we turn, there will always be something containing chemicals. The industry is so large, and nearly everything we buy in the shops contains them. It is no wonder our world is changing, and who will stop it? How can we avoid household chemicals? Do we care enough to make the changes....before we become ill? How many illnesses are actually directly linked to our chemical era? Much research has proved it, but who is listening?
Have you ever stopped to wonder why even our pets are getting cancer? Why should they? Their lifestyle is entirely different from ours. Well, my mothers cat got mouth cancer. My mother was always washing the floors with bleach and other cleaners. The cat walked on the floors and then cleaned it’s paws. Animals are closer to the source. Say no more. Household chemicals and contaminants have a lot to answer to. Next time you go to the cleaning cupboard to get out a spray to clean your kitchen work tops, take a look at the ingredients list. It is worthy of any chemistry laboratory. What chemicals will I find in my household?
We should be wearing hazard suits to protect ourselves from household chemicals while we do the housework! Petroleum Distillates (in metal polishes) Can affect the central nervous system, skin, kidneys and eyes. Ammonia (in glass cleaner and other cleaners) Can cause headaches and lung damage and much more. Phenol and Cresol (disinfectants) These household chemicals are corrosive, can cause diarrhoea, fainting, dizziness and damage to the liver and kidneys. Nitrobenzene (furniture polishes) Can discolour the skin, cause shallow breathing, vomiting and deaths associated with cancer. Can also cause birth defects. Even holding a cloth soaked in a cleaner in our hand means that our skin is absorbing that chemical into our system via our hands. Our skin absorbes 60 per cent of what we put on it. Every time you come into contact with household chemicals via your skin you are absorbing them. The list of horrors does not end there.In fact there is a never ending list of household chemicals. Carpets cleaners, air fresheners and deoderisers, laundry softener, laundry washing products, products that get rid of mould and mildew such as bathroom and shower cleaners, and many many more. Household chemicals are not restricted to cleaning products and even our furnishings can be dangerous and materials in soft furnishings contain dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde. Many things contain latex, foams and carpets containing synthetic fibers have often been treated with fungicides and pesticide. Stain repellents are present in carpets, sofa's, curtains and other items in the home. Our homes are supposed to be safe. They are not. Thyroid and autoimmune sufferers have even been advised not to go into carpet shops because of the toxicity from foam backed carpets. Why? Carpet foasms gives off toxic fumes that we are unaware of. Think of the smell in a carpet shop. And have you ever thought about paint? What toxic substances are used to make it. Think of the fumes from paint. I painted a room last year and was ill afterwards for some time. After all, the fumes don’t go away. We just become accustomed to them and therefore fail to smell them.However if you are the one painting, then remaining in the fumes for long periods of time can make you feel disorientated and nauseous. Think of the fumes from floor varnishes. Really, they are not doing you any good. To take a look at a site that provides the solution to this paint issue, please
click here
We can’t replace everything in our homes. Many manufacturers are looking for healthier and greener alternatives such as natural wood flooring, fabrics and paint that are safer and further research is needed here. Regarding household chemicals in cleaning products, there are many alternatives. Until the second world war, which was in fact the dawn of this chemical age, we used far simpler products to keep our homes clean. People in the early part of the 20th century did not suffer from the same illnesses that we are suffering from now. These illnesses did not exist because mans progression has caused these illnesses. We now have so many cleaners to choose from that get rid of so many germs. Soon we will not be able to withstand viruses and colds because our resistance will be that much less. To a certain extent, our homes are just “too clean” (and full of toxic chemicals) What we have to remember is that household chemicals and products are directly affecting us in the same way that beauty products and food are and basically there is no difference as they are all being absorbed by us either by inhalation or absorption. We should be wearing protective suits, goggles, respiration masks and gloves. Not practical, eh? Household chemicals have been going for a long time and it stands to reason that it will also take a long time to find alternatives that do "as good" a job or come close to it. Do we really need household chemicals? Can our homes still be as "clean" Well they can of course. Tasks may be a bit more labour intensive as household chemicals make it easy for us to clean things like ovens, drains and toilets quickly by just pouring a toxic substance and letting it do it's work. Most household chemicals also have warnings on the bottles and it is this warning that is telling us of the toxicity and danger of the product. If it was not doing us harm, that warning would simply not be there.
Also, take a look at We need to simplify our lives in order to be well for now and the future, for our children and grandchildren and for our planet. We owe them that. Simpler food, simpler beauty products, simpler ways of cleaning our homes and it’s not even difficult. Our children are exposed to all these chemicals and additives from conception. That is not a pleasant thought. In fact many of the substances have been found in the umbilical cords and placenta and also in human breast milk. We are feeding our unborn babies with chemicals in the womb, and then feeding them after they are born with more…..and we don’t even realise it. We tend to clean more when we are pregnant as part of our nesting instinct in the final weeks before delivery and I used to even wash the ceiling!! We therefore expose ourselves and our babies constantly to the dangers of household chemicals as well as what we are absorbing from personal care and food additives. Chemical cocktail anyone? Also, what about the very clothes we wear? Research has shown that we even absorb chemicals from synthetic clothes that we are wearing due to the chemicals used to make them together with chemicals from the products used to clean them such as dry cleaning fluid, and washing powders and conditioners. Where will it end and how many more household chemicals are there that we haven't even thought of?
Please click HERE to read about the dangers of dry cleaning fluid.
Sanitary or ladies personal products like tampons panty pads and sanitary towels should also be made of non chlorine bleached pure cotton to avoid contamination and to aid healthy vaginal tissue. It really does help the candida problem. So it is not just household chemicals in cleaners. They are in just about everything. A change to natural fabrics is long overdue. However, even the natural materials can be pre treated with chlorine bleach!! Man interferes with everything. It’s all about money and industry. We should also be thinking about things like lavatory paper. We go to the toilet (bathroom) many times a day and us ladies then wipe a very sensitive area with toilet paper which is sometimes scented with irritants such as perfumes and usually chlorine bleached. We are therefore contributing towards candida and vaginal infections.
As I said on my other pages, why wait another 20 years to be told, either on the news or in the newspapers and tabloids what has already been known for years (what we really have known all along but ignored because it was easier). Industry knows it. Our governments know it. They all know about the chemicals because scientists and researchers and doctors have already told them. Think about asbestos? The scandal and subsequent deaths caused by it. How many more products will be "brought to our attention" when it already too late? You can hear them now. "We did not realise the damage that household chemicals were doing to health" just like they say they didn't know about tobacco. The tobacco industry is responsible for millions of deaths and even the dangers of smoking were hushed up as the industry was making too much money to tell us that is would kill you. It looks like the scandal of chemicals will sadly be a similar story. You may well all ask “Do you practice what you preach?” and this is a fair question. Since embarking on this research I have become much more aware of the dangers. The evidence is there. All you have to do is search the internet. Yes, I am on a mission to eliminate household chemicals from my home, chemicals from my beauty products etc and protecting myself because of my autoimmune disease, and also my family and pets from the dangers. Have I noticed a difference? Yes, absolutely. It is hard to define but my health is better and I have much more energy. I have been using supplements for a good many years because of my health problems, always trying to find better options and better products. I firmly believe in them mainly because I personally have felt a lot better since using them and also because I now know that they are necessary for good health. We are not getting many benefits from our food these days unless we eat organic and plenty of healthy fresh foods. It is not always easy to have the perfect diet, and me like everyone else has the odd take away. However I have now banned take aways from our diet. They are lethal. I have cut down on all the same things that I have advised of in my food page. We have the odd “bad” thing maybe once a week like ice cream or something that we know is bad for us. We have to gradually eliminate the bad foods. We use mainly organic food including fruit, vegetables meat and make most of our soups, smoothies, drinks and juices. I use organic beauty products but sometimes something that is not 100 per cent natural. Where possible I make sure now that it is. I colour my hair so I am currently looking into “natural” hair colours as this major source of chemicals really needs to go. See my chemicals in beauty products page. I recommend taking a large dose of anti oxidants half an hour before colouring your hair so that they can go about their job of eliminating the free radicals caused by the sudden massive dose of chemicals in contact with your scalp which is then also left on your head for as much as 45 minutes or even longer. It is like putting a large dose of household chemicals on your head!! I use pure 100 per cent natural soaps to wash myself, especially in the vaginal area. I use natural organic tampons, towels and panty liners. I am trialling “natural” deoderants. I use mainly organic or natural make up, especially foundation as this is on your face all day. All our body washes and shower gels are natural. All my face creams are natural and/or organic and I use natural suncare, body lotions and “fake or self tan” on occasions. My shampoos and conditioners are all organic and natural. I use Natural nail varnish by SANTE. The fumes from normal nail varnish and nail varnish remover are lethal. I use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride and I am now trialling much more natural and organic versions. I use toilet paper that is non chlorine bleached and recyclable. I use Natural progesterone instead of synthetic HRT to control menopause symptoms. I practice regular
detox
I use Ecover and Lilly's Eco Clean cleaners and laundry products and washing up liquids and also use organic natural handwash in the bathrooms. My home furnishings remains the same as this is obviously harder to change straight away. Where possible this will also be gradually changed as and when the opportunity occurs. I avoid pesticides in the garden completely. I have four cats and they are important too. I avoid washing the floors where they walk in anything toxic. There dishes are washed in Ecover products and our dishwasher tablets are also Ecover. We as a family have done a pretty good job of changing but feel that in view of all the evidence, we would be mad not to. Strangely it is harder to eliminate household chemicals than anything else. My teenage daughter, Clare is vegetarian and supports saving the planet and wildlife so at least she is on the right track. We also do not need to return to pre war ways of dealing with cleaning as this was often dangerous too. However the products used did not end up in the environment and therefore detrimental to thousands of others. White vinegar is great for glass and is an excellent de greaser. Wonderful for cleaning windows and baking soda for cleaning sinks and anything that needs scrubbing including chrome, aluminium, jewellery etc. It can also be used as a stain remover. We can use soap based insecticides instead of chemical. Borax which is a natural product can inhibit the growth of mould and mildew and also removes stains. Dissolved in hot water it can be used as a disinfectant. It also makes a non toxic ant repellent, together with powdered red chilli pepper, I have just found out. Natural furniture polishes are available like bees wax wood polish. Lemon juice can be used as a cleaner and deoderiser. To clean drains, use ˝ cup of white vinegar and ˝ cup of bicarbonate of soda. (Better than sulphuric acid?) There are many natural, organic or environmentally friendly products now available in the shops. Use them. Period. Remember, you are reducing your risk of exposure to household chemicals and therefore protecting your health. Combine the organic products with other natural methods such as above. To clean ovens, make a paste with water and bicarbonate of soda and apply to a warm oven. Use steel wool to scrub. Also Arm amd Hammer Oven cleaner which is guaranteed non toxic. To clean toilet bowels either use a very weak solution of bleach which should only be mixed with water and nothing else (mixing with other cleaners gives off a toxic gas) or use baking soda and vinegar mixture or borax and lemon juice. Best thing? Use the weak bleach solution once a week and the other natural products the rest of the time. Never mix vinegar and bleach To wash windows use either lemon juice and water or vinegar in water which can be put in a spray bottle and spritzed onto the window. Finish with newspaper for gleaming windows. You can even use baking soda as toothpaste. Not many people want to do this as they miss the freshness of the toothpaste. Peppermint essential oil can be used to flavour this mixture. Alternatively, natural toothpastes can now be bought. Use 3 drops of lavender essential oil to an eggcupful of white wine vinegar in place of highly artificially fragranced fabric conditioner It softens and scents like magic. In place of artificial air fresheners, use natural pure organic essential oils and an oil burner or diffuser. Open windows for fresh air or scent your home with scented flowers like hyacinths roses or freesia. I have now written a page on how to make your own fragrances using and combining essential oils. This will cut down on spraying yourself daily on your neck lymph glands with thousands of chemicals that then get absorbed into your system. Save your shop bought fragrances and body lotions for special occasions or once weekly treats. Beautiful natural body lotions and fragrances can easily be made at home and decanted into pretty bottles. In gardens, pulling weeds by hand is the only safe option. Household chemicals are also in garden products, garages where we store all the "really dangerous" stuff. Seek out alternative and more natural products especially paints and varnishes that give off fumes. As the world becomes more aware, companies are making it their business to provide the alternatives…..or sink!! Household chemicals are something you need to be constantly aware of or even paranoid about. Being careful all the time. If you need to wear a mask and gloves, then wear them. They are inexpensive and protect you from inhaling or absorbing chemicals. There are many ways you can cut down or even eliminate toxic substances like household chemicals, additives in food, chemicals in your personal care and therefore protect yourself and your family. It stands to reason that they are doing us harm by destroying our immune system, wreaking havoc with our endocrine systems by mimicking oestrogen and causing oestrogen dominance. Think Pure and simple and make this your ethos for life.
My next research will be on protecting yourself from radiation from items in the home like computers, mobile phones etc. So many dangers to protect ourselves from and our health is suffering so solutions must be found.
Please Click HERE to go to the Food additives page
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Sodium hypochlorite (in bleach) If mixed with ammonia and some other chemicals in household cleaning products releases a toxic gas. This can invade your body of course and cause respiratory failure.
See below for a list of alternative cleaners. You can also use environmentally friendly ranges such as Ecover which claim “minimal” damage to the environment and aquatic life and also do not contain many of the dangerous household chemicals that we know to be toxic.
Our pretty synthetic lacey underwear. Have you ever thought that it may even contribute to Candida and other vaginal infections? A product containing synthetic chemicals, so close to the delicate vaginal tissue all day? Why do we sometimes feel sore? Candida sometimes crops up almost overnight!! We can buy non chlorine bleached environmentally friendly toilet paper and this has been available for many years. Then why aren’t we using it? Also irritation from biological laundry products will and does aggravate candida. So it looks like household chemicals also wreak havoc with our very private areas and of course that is obvious.
We are too frightened to face it. We ignore it and bury our heads in the sand because it is easier than making changes. In fact many women have been interviewed about beauty products and when asked whether they would rather look good and die as a result, they mainly said they would rather look good no matter what!! How sad is that? Many beauty products are actually causing premature ageing of the skin because the products they contain are damaging our skin. Many of the chemicals in beauty products are also in household products like oven cleaners and anti freeze. Putting household chemicals on our faces? We might as well spray our face with oven cleaner, then scour it off with a brillo pad.
You are also protecting your planet. A great many household chemicals, synthetic hormones from our bodies and thousands of other un natural substances are ending up in our environment, especially our seas. How long will it be before the seas are just completely toxic? How long before our wildlife is destroyed?
How long before we are destroyed?
