With our family growing, I’ve decided to replace all of my home’s cleaning products with green options. There are many benefits to using environmentally friendly cleaning products in our homes, and I recommend you consider making the switch, too! Our cleaning choices play a factor in our wellness. After researching and learning more about it, I now believe that every expectant mom and parent needs to make this same change. Here are a few reasons why you should start green cleaning, too!
1. Reduce Your Exposure to Toxins
Switching to green cleaning products is one of the easiest ways to reduce your family’s exposure to harmful toxins. When you don’t have toxic fumes, there is no need to worry as much about proper ventilation or indoor air pollution. It’s shocking to discover all the harmful chemicals in our everyday cleaners. Not only that, switching to green cleaning products also eliminates the toxic residue on all surfaces. This means you won’t have to wipe down your counters that come in contact with food, which will eventually be eaten. When you have kids, food gets everywhere and then is eaten. You’ll feel better knowing that no toxic residue will be lingering in your home.
2. No Need to Change Cleaners When Pregnant
We always want to do what’s best for the baby during pregnancy and after birth. We may be concerned that things are not clean enough for the baby, but many women don’t even think twice about the cleaning products they are using while expecting. These chemicals and fumes are not good for either of you. With green cleaning, the products will make you feel better, literally. Unlike conventional cleaning products, you’ll feel better knowing what you use won’t harm you, your family, your expecting child, or your pets. Suddenly, you will realize that symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, headaches, and more may “mysteriously” disappear once you stop using toxic cleaning chemicals. Considering many of the hazardous chemicals in conventional products are often carcinogens1, neurotoxins2, mutagens3, teratogens4, or endocrine disruptors5, it is worth ditching them in favor of natural green cleaning products.
3. Your Kids Can Clean with You
We all want our kids to be able to pitch in with the household chores, but with conventional cleaning products, you should think twice. It’s comforting to know that by choosing green cleaning products, cleaning the house is a safe chore for every family member. How wonderful would it feel to have cleaning products that would be safe for your kids so that they can help YOU with the routine cleaning chores?! I think all parents would agree that that would be fantastic! Here you go, kiddos. You can scrub the toilets, too. 😉
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Also, did you know that commercial spray cleaners have been linked with increased asthma rates, especially in children? Even infrequent usage of these cleaning products can trigger an asthma reaction, one of the most common causes of school absences among children.6
4. Don’t Have to Lock Up Cleaners
The National Poison Control Center lists cleaning supplies as one of the top 5 things they receive calls for.7 That means that if your child gets a hold of it even once, you could have a very serious emergency. Because you know that everything gets in their mouth. On the other hand, most green products are not toxic and aren’t nearly as dangerous. So even if they decide to try a taste, you won’t have to rush to the emergency room. Peace of mind is everything!
5. Not Have to Worry about a Toxic Cocktail
When you have conventional cleaning products, you could potentially concoct a dangerous and toxic cocktail. When several are used in the same place simultaneously, you need to be extra careful with your children and pets immediately after. This is why selecting only environmentally friendly cleaning products is critical to maintaining our health and satisfactory cleanliness and disinfection in our homes.
6. Better for Our Environment
Many household cleaning agents contain harmful chemicals like ammonia, petroleum, and phosphorus. When using these cleaning products to wash clothes and dishes and even flush the toilet bowl, it is possible that the chemicals are being sent back into the water supply and nearby rivers, streams, or lakes. Not only can they come back into the water you drink and the water you shower with, but they also negatively impact the environment and wildlife. The fish will thank you. 🙂
7. You Can DIY Your Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products is cheap and super simple! The main ingredients are water, vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, lemon juice, olive oil, and essential oils. But if you don’t consider yourself the DIY type, you can easily find great options on the market. Here are some green-cleaning recipes to get you started!
8. Clean Up Your Indoor Air
Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. This problem is exacerbated when we clean in small, unventilated spaces such as a windowless bathroom, where levels of cleaning chemicals in the air can be highly concentrated. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. The National Cancer Association released results of a 15-year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home.8 That’s major.
Also, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been associated with various health problems, like liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. These compounds are released when products are used and stored and can also linger in the air long after use.9 That’s nothing to cough at.
All of these reasons are why I am breathing easier — literally. I know I am not exposing myself and my family to these problems now that I’m cleaning with genuinely green products.
