These days, it seems like chemicals have become a accepted part of every day life. Gone are the days of utilizing wholesome products made from scratch to feed our families and maintain the home. Advertising companies have become the consumer’s direct lifeline for product promotion resulting in mass sales of generic, unsafe, and usually hazardous products that don’t belong around small children much less in the home.
It may seem like an easy fix when your running low on Windex to run to the store and simply pick up a bottle. Fortunately, there are so many natural alternatives that are safe, wholesome and ultimately more cost effective in the long run. Arming yourself with the proper knowledge on how to avoid chemicals can greatly improve the overall health and safety of your family.
Keep these products handy to use individually or combine for extra cleaning power:
- White Vinegar– Much like lemons, white vinegars naturally acidic properties render it extremely effective in breaking down grease as well as dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and even Ecoli
- Baking Soda – Effectively deodorizes, brightens, and cuts through grime.
- Borax (Sodium Borate) – A soft colorless crystal, Borax actually works by converting water molecules into hydrogen peroxide making it an effective disinfectant in and of itself. It’s effective for cleaning multiple surfaces and is non-abrasive so it can be used in a wide variety of ways.
- Washing Soda– A powerful cleanser and water softener, washing soda has a long history of traditional use. It’s rich in sodium and can be made from the ashes of seaweed and other vegetation. Also known as soda carbonate, washing soda can be used to remove grease, oil and even wine stains. It dissolves magnesium and calcium ions in hard water, which prevents the magnesium and calcium from building up on household items
- Hydrogen Peroxide– Simply put, it’s water with an extra oxygen molecule. It’s effective in that it works very much like bleach, only without harming the environment. Peroxide has incredible bleaching and disinfecting properties and can be used in a pinch for a multitude of uses.
- Lemons – One of the single most useful staples in any kitchen. Lemons are a wonder fruit (Yes, they’re a fruit) and natural disinfectant. The acidity helps to break down various forms of bacteria as well as eliminate the need for a harsher cleaner.
- Sea Salt – Used as an abrasive cleaning material, sea salt paired with a simple soap can be worked into tough build up for easy removal. Salt is also dissolvable so there’s no trace of residue left behind.
- Liquid Castile Soap– Castile Soap is a product derived 100 percent from plant oils. This is a front-runner for cutting through tough grease stains.
Are Chemicals Really that Bad for Us?
When discussing harmful chemicals, we hear words thrown around like “carcinogens” and “formaldehyde” looming over us with the prospect of toxicity and future health problems. It poses the question; WHY are these chemicals so harmful? Well first to clarify, if you use Windex every now and again don’t start planning your funeral. Like everything else, all products in moderation are unlikely to have a hindering effect on your health, but it’s not something that will have a positive effect in any way with extended use. Since humans are naturally organic, our chemical makeup is not equipped to come into contact with foreign substances. These chemicals mutate and alter our vital cells leading to long-term disease that can be difficult or even impossible to cure. So in short, Switching to natural remedies like lemon and salt may seem a bit archaic, but used in the right context can be just as effective at getting the job done…and preserve your health in the long run.
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