Stay Away From Toxins In Cleaning Products By Choosing Natural Alternatives
Most people are not aware that there are a huge number of toxins in cleaning products so they use these cleaners liberally and without any protection. The truth is that the toxins contained in commercial cleaning products are making us sick and contributing to a wide range of diseases. Since there are natural cleaning products available that have been used for centuries, it is best to switch to them to avoid unnecessary toxin exposure.
Even more concerning is that most cleaning compounds are protected as trade secrets so companies are not required to disclose all the ingredients they use. This makes it hard to say exactly what carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals we are being exposed to.
What Are The Toxins In Cleaning Products
Most people don’t think twice about using commercialized household cleaners, as they don’t understand how dangerous they are. If you are one of the people who think household cleaners are safe and don’t even bother to use gloves when cleaning, this information is of vital importance.
Some of the common toxins in household cleaners include formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, chlorine, benzene, butyl cellosolve, ammonia, and petroleum distillates. Continuous exposure to these toxins results in immune system damage, autoimmune diseases, leukemia, asthma, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive disorders, among others.1 2 3 4 5
Toxins In Cleaning Products – Laundry Detergent And Fabric Softeners
Laundry detergents contain toxins and even carcinogens. Scented laundry detergents add another degree of toxicity. Fabric softeners have a number of toxic endocrine disruptors which have been linked to asthma and migraines.6
The most notable toxins in fabric softeners include dichlorobenzene, dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammoinum methosulfate, and quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS). QUATS are linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria because they have antibacterial action similar to triclosan.7 8
Dry cleaning products contain the common toxin perchloroethylene (PERC). PERC is also included in spot cleaners, carpet cleaners, wood cleaners, aerosols, and soaps. PERC is in the category of volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs release gases into the air and can wreak havoc on the central nervous system and even cause death in high enough quantities. PERC causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache, confusion, and difficulty with motor skills, while also harming developing fetuses.9 10 11
Toxins In Cleaning Products – Bleach And Ammonia
Using bleach to clean your household is a toxic option, especially if you aren’t using gloves, as it absorbs directly into your skin and affects physiology. Additionally, inhaling bleach fumes is also toxic and leads to hormone dysregulation. More specifically, chlorine can substitute for iodine in thyroid receptors causing thyroid diseases like hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.12 13 14 15
Many other household cleaners contain ammonia which can lead to asthma and chronic bronchitis. Ammonia also causes shortness of breath, headaches, nausea vomiting, wheezing, rapid heartbeat, and an increase in blood pressure.16
Toxins In Cleaning Products – Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is the most commonly used ingredient in both drain cleaners and oven cleaners. Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is extremely corrosive and can burn body tissue.17
Fortunately, there are alternatives that work nearly as well, as baking soda mixed with water can be used to clean the oven and a combination of baking soda and vinegar can be used to unclog drains.
Multi-purpose Cleaners And Window Cleaners Are Toxic
Many multi-purpose cleaners and window cleaners contain the chemical 2-butoxyethanol. Upon inhalation, it can lead to an acute sore throat and chronic exposure can lead to pulmonary edema, liver damage, kidney damage, and narcosis.18 19
Toxins In Cleaning Products – Antifungal And Antimicrobial Products
There are certain toxins that are contained in nearly all cleaning products. Some of these toxins include parabens and phthalates.
Parabens
Dish soap, glass cleaners, general cleaners, and all-purpose cleaners almost always contain parabens. Generally, you will notice them on the list of ingredients as propylparaben, butylparaben, or methylparaben.
Parabens are estrogen-mimicking compounds, meaning that they act like estrogen in the body which can result in estrogen dominance. This is bad for both males and females, as it causes reproductive issues and hormone dysfunction. Additionally, parabens are neurotoxic, meaning they damage the nervous system and brain.20
If your cleaning products contain either the word “antimicrobial” or “antifungal”, they likely contain parabens so stay away from them and choose natural alternatives.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a pesticide that causes hormone dysfunction. This compound is an antibiotic that is linked with the development of drug-resistant bacteria. This chemical is linked with metabolism issues, development issues, and sexual issues while affecting both sleep and mood. Using triclosan in dishwashing detergent and antibacterial hand soap was banned by the FDA in 2016. However, triclosan is still contained in hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and mouthwash.21
Opt for products that aren’t antibacterial in nature and ideally, use traditionally made soap that has been used for centuries and is safe.
Toxins In Cleaning Products – Phthalates And P-dichlorobenzene
Phthalates are contained in many consumer products and are responsible for synthetic fragrances. Laundry soap, body soap, air fresheners, scented toilet paper, and any other fragrant product contain phthalates.
As stated before, P-dichlorobenzene is found in some fabric softeners, but it is also found in other air fresheners along with formaldehyde. Often used in deodorants, urinal cakes, and disinfectants, p-dichlorobenzene is linked with both brain damage.23
If you like fragrances, use natural essential oils that don’t contain phthalates, p-dichlorobenzene, or formaldehyde.
Healthy Alternatives To Toxic Cleaning Products
There are many natural options for household cleaners like vinegar, lemon juice, alcohol, olive oil, baking soda, and essential oils for fragrance. As an example, vodka can be used as a glass cleaner, baking soda can be used to remove spots on clothes, vinegar can be used to wash clothes, and olive oil can be used to put a nice shine on wood.
Toxins In Cleaning Products And Health Concerns
While there are many different variables at play, toxins in cleaning products are linked with a whole host of health issues. Since so many people across the United States suffer from autoimmune conditions, hormone dysfunction, neurotoxicity, and reproductive issues, it is crucial that we limit our exposure to toxins.
The first step of healing the body involves removing the source of toxins that are causing dysfunction in the first place. While it may be challenging to stop using commercialized cleaning products and switch over to natural-based cleaning products, it is clearly best for your health and the health of all living beings.
The toxins in cleaning products are only one part of the equation, as there are countless toxins in beauty products, personal hygiene products, toxins in our food, toxins in our environment like heavy metals, toxins in our house like mold, indoor air pollution, and even EMF toxins that are becoming increasingly more prevalent.
Illness And The Overflowing Bucket Analogy
The human body is incredibly resilient and can deal with toxins quite efficiently. However, when it is overwhelmed with toxins, health problems are the result. This is why many idiopathic diseases appear out of nowhere, as one feels fine one day and then sick the next. As the body is dealing with toxins, there is a point where too many toxins and stressors are all taking their toll on the body, and the proverbial toxin bucket overflows.
As the toxin bucket overflows, the body is no longer able to properly methylate genes, leading to undesirable genetic expression and undesirable phenotypes. Additionally, a body that is overwhelmed with toxins generates a chronic systemic inflammatory response.
The Process Of Regaining Your Health
As soon as we have limited our exposure to toxins to the bare minimum, then we must focus on healing the body from the cell onward. Since toxins disrupt the natural order of the cell, this is where we begin our detox.
The goal of a cellular detox is to reduce cellular inflammation and regenerate the cell membrane. After that, we focus on restoring cellular energy production by improving the function of the mitochondria that make ATP, the energy currency of all our cells.
Then, we focus on downregulating cellular inflammation, as it remains elevated long after toxins have been removed. After reducing cellular inflammation back to normal levels, relief from many different conditions is within reach.
Finally, we must restore methylation so the ideal version of our DNA can be expressed. As we reduce the toxic load on the body, methyl groups are available to shut off the expression of bad genes and turn on the expression of good genes.
The First Step To Good Health – Avoid Toxins In Cleaning Products
Think of regaining good health as a series of steps that first involves identifying toxins and removing those toxins from your life. Now that you are aware of the toxins in cleaning products, you can switch to natural alternatives and identify other toxins that can also be excluded from your life. While completely eliminating toxins from your life is difficult in modern society, reducing those toxins to limited amounts reduces the toxic load upon your body.
If the accumulation of toxins doesn’t overfill your bucket, your body will be able to handle these toxins accordingly without obvious symptoms of toxicity like autoimmune conditions and hormone dysfunction.
Unfortunately, the only way things will really change is if people collectively stop purchasing toxic products from companies and force them to reformulate their products with ingredients that aren’t harmful.
Keep reading about other common toxins we are all exposed to and how to exclude them from your life as well.
References
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