5 Household Chemical Products to Swap with Natural Alternatives

 natural alternativesDid you know that there are approximately 84,000 chemicals currently circulating the global market today? From cleaning products to food preservatives, our bodies are constantly exposed to more and more chemical products on the daily, and the fact of the matter is, we don’t always know so much about how these solutions affect us in the long-term.

Studies on antiperspirants have been linked to breast cancer while continuous exposure to household cleaners have been found to pose a number of other health risks. If you’re ready to shop for some safer health, beauty, and home alternatives, let this post be your guide!

1) Dental care

When you think about places that are most dangerous to expose to chemicals, your mouth is likely at the top of your list. But the truth is, many toothpastes we see on the shelves at the supermarket are filled with harsh ingredients that pass right through the mouth and into the body. In fact, Consumer Reports reported that up until this year, some toothpaste companies still used triclosan—a chemical that can disrupt thyroid hormones and immunity—in their dental care products. Pretty scary for something that’s meant to boost your health, not harm it…Coconut oil toothpaste is one alternative you might add to your medicine cabinet instead. It’s all natural and flavored with natural minty flavor to keep your breath feeling (and smelling) fresh!

2) All-purpose cleaners

Rummage through just about any cleaning cabinet in any house, and you’re likely to find at least one all-purpose cleaning product. There’s really denying how convenient they are. Whether you’re cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, or living room, these chemical cleaners definitely get the job done—but at what cost?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some chemical-based all-purpose cleaners have been said to irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and can be highly poisonous to humans and animals if ingested; they’re hardly safe to use around your little ones or furry friends.

Natural home cleaning products are a great way to keep your home clean, without running the risk of exposing yourself or your family to potentially harmful ingredients. Plus, they often smell a whole lot better than the harsh scents of traditional cleaners.

If you’re confident in your DIY skills, you can even make your own cleaning products using castile soap, tea tree oil, water, hydrogen peroxide, and white vinegar.

 natural alternatives

3) Hair care

Not only are the chemicals used in hair care products damaging to your hair, but they can also pose risks to the environment. In fact, when some sulfate ingredients are washed down the drain, they can cause mutations in animals. As for silicone, it’s essentially a rubber/plastic which at this point is synonymous with environmental harm.

Here are some ingredients to avoid when shopping for environmentally (and hair) friendly products:

  • Sulfates
  • Parabens
  • Silicones
  • Cocamide DEA
  • Behentrimonium Chloride
  • Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Polyethylene Glycol

4) Air fresheners

While the Poison Control Center says that small amounts of air freshening products are not dangerous, they note that they may have some adverse environmental and health effects with repeated exposure. In addition, chemical air fresheners can be extremely harmful if ingested and should always be kept out of reach from children.

Essential oils are an excellent alternative to chemical air fresheners, aroma sprays, and even perfumes! What’s more, there are many ways to use them from topical application to diffusing and make your own essential oil sprays. If that’s not your preference, you can always make your own natural air deodorizers!

5) Laundry detergent

If you’re looking for a safer way to clean your clothes, finding a natural laundry detergent or making your own is definitely the way to go. Here’s some even better news: making your own cleaning products is often cheaper than buying them, so what’s the hold up? Here’s how.

DIY laundry detergent recipe:

  • Combine 2 parts borax, 2 parts washing soda, 1 part stain remover, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil
  • Store in an air-tight mason jar
  • Use 3 tablespoons of the solution per wash load

Wrapping up

Even though our homes are often filled to the brim with chemical products from our medicine cabinets to our cleaning storage spaces, it’s easier than you think to swap out some of these items for safer alternatives. Just use these simple tips to help you find your way toward a more natural beauty, health, and home care routine!

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