By Justin and Clara Hamel
There is something undeniably comforting about walking into a freshly cleaned home. Maybe it is the scent of lemon floor polish lingering in the air, or the aromatic spray used to leave the countertops gleaming. The brain’s association with these aromas creates a sensory experience that draws us in and communicates order and a sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, with every whiff of those delightful scents, you may be getting an unwelcome surprise. Conventional cleaning products contain a multitude of chemicals that are known carcinogens, neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors. For example, “fragrance” in a cleaning product can represent hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that contribute to everything from lung irritation to cancer. In addition, many other ingredients such as ammonia, bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds can cause respiratory and skin irritation. The very products used to clean and make the home environment safe are giving people an unhealthy dose of toxins with every scrub.
Thankfully, it is easy to make cleaning products with common household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, castile soap and essential oils. As an added bonus, using simple natural ingredients in your household cleaners is not only better for you and your family, but also for the environment!
Here are a few simple recipes to try.
All Purpose Cleaner
Fill a 16 oz spray bottle with:
- 3 tablespoons of vinegar (substitute with 3 tablespoons of baking soda if desired)
- 20 drops of essential oil (lemon, tea tree or clove are great options)
- 2 tablespoons of castile soap
- Distilled water
Glass Cleaner
Fill a 16 0z spray bottle with:
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil
- Distilled water
These simple recipes take just minutes, leave that wonderful clean scent lingering in the air and don’t come with an extra dose of toxins. If you prefer to purchase your cleaning products, vet them by checking their rating on the Environment Working Group (EWG) website. By swapping out products with harsh chemicals for natural alternatives, we can create a home environment that nurtures our health rather than compromises it.
Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
