Evaluating Your Cleaning Products

1 min

Replace harmful chemical-filled products with 'cleaner' ones.

Our environmental well-being can be greatly affected by the cleaning products we use, even more than you may think. Traditional cleaning products are often chemical-laden—and many contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause respiratory issues, headaches, allergies, and more according to the American Lung Association.Today, we’re learning to assess and replace harmful chemical-based cleaning products with natural alternatives, ensuring a safer home environment.Making Safer SwapsFollow the steps below to evaluate your cleaning products.1. Assess Your InventoryCollect all cleaning products you regularly use in your home, from floor cleaners to countertop sprays. Carefully read the labels to identify the chemicals contained in each product.2. Conduct Your ResearchInvestigate the health impacts of the identified chemicals. Resources such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) guide can be helpful. Note which chemicals are considered harmful and could contribute to toxin accumulation in the body, and be sure to steer clear of those.3. Evaluate ProductsEvaluate which products contain harmful chemicals that could be absorbed through your skin or inhaled. Consider not just the immediate cleanliness but also the long-term health implications of using such products.4. Replace Harmful ProductsDispose of products containing harmful chemicals responsibly. Research and select all-natural cleaning alternatives. Many effective and eco-friendly options are available that use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.Many products contain eco-certified labels, but we recommend closely reading the ingredient lists to ensure a product is genuinely good-for-you.If you’re curious to go deeper into the impacts of your cleaning products, do a toxicity blood panel prior to swapping your cleaning products, as well as a 6-month check-in after you’ve made the changes. Pay close attention to a decrease in indoor allergies, headaches, or any other side effects you might’ve been experiencing.Clean Home, Healthy HomeWhat you use to clean your spaces can directly impact your health in the short- and long-term. We often think that the stronger the scent of a product, the more effective it is, but that’s simply not true. Together, we can transform this narrative and make more conscious decisions.