TIP OF THE DECADE - Not Everything Has to Smell!
Even natural fragrance in products can be an irritant. Always remember that fragrance, of any type, affects others involuntarily.
We tend to think of natural scents and oils as completely harmless, but in fact that is not always true. Some natural substances even give off volatile organic substances.
In one interesting study, lavender oil was applied to the chests of young boys and breasts developed. The oil application was stopped and the breasts went away. Hmmm.
We don’t want to throw a damp towel on scent-mania, but we do encourage simple fresh air as an alternative.
KITCHEN, BATH & GENERAL HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
- Look for products that have all natural ingredients.
- Avoid products with chlorine. Chlorine is a respiratory irritant. It also reacts with organic material to form trihalomethane and other chlorine by-products. Trihalomethane is classified as a carcinogen.
- Avoid products with “fragrance”. The majority of fragrance substances are petroleum derived and contain phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. The ingredients of fragrance do not have to be disclosed. Some fragrance products are safe, but the only way to know is to find out from the manufacturer if the ingredients contain harmful substances. If there is a MSDS (material safety data sheet), thas may disclose the fragrance ingredients. If a manufacturer refuses to disclose information about possible questionable ingredients in a fragrance component, be wary of that product.
- The following lists are in progress and are not complete. Furthermore, the number of products are growing rapidly. So, feel free to contact us with more products! The goal of this site is to get you thinking and reading those labels!
Dr Bronner’s Magic Soap
Ecover
Seventh Generation
Method
Mrs. Meyers - We are in the process of clarifying what is in the fragrance ingredient.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide mixed with water make a great general purpose cleaner.