According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks!
The chemicals in our laundry detergent, multi-surface cleaner, even DUST can cause irritation of our eyes, nose, and throat, fatigue and nausea, or even longer-term more serious effects like respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.
Most of us are aware of outdoor pollutants, such as fuel exhaust and smoke. But
indoor air may be anywhere from two to five times as polluted as outdoor air! And we are much less vigilant about it, so I thought I’d help you out by sharing 5 ways to swap out one of the BIG chemical emissions in your home… FRAGRANCE (also listed as “parfum)!!
Have you seen this harmless word on the ingredients list of your favourite detergent or beauty products?
From Dr. Axe:
“A National Academy of Sciences points out some vital facts: About 95 percent of chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum (crude oil). They include benzene derivatives (carcinogenic), aldehydes, toluene and many other known toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. (1) Unfortunately, 30 years later, toxic ingredients continue turn up in products we use and breathe in on a daily basis. Some of the worst toxic ingredients used in lotions, shampoos, laundry detergents, cleaning products and so much more include synthetic scents, often listed as on labels as the elusive “fragrance.” And many on the list are known or suspected endocrine disruptors, compounds that tinker with hormonal health that can trigger weight gain and even set you up for diseases decades down the line.”
If you are ready to start making a positive change TODAY, here is my top 5 ways to get started!
1. Make your own deoderant
Just fill a glass spray bottle with 120ml magnesium oil and add 15 drops of doTERRA Lemon. Or if you prefer not to make your own, or like a solid deoderant, one is available at my Online Apothecary
2. Make your own multi-purpose cleaner
Grab, preferably, a glass spray bottle (these ones are great!) Add in a 1:3 ratio of white vinegar to water and 30 drops doTERRA On Guard Essential Oil. On Guard contains a proven mix of certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils that when together work effectively to kill bacteria and viruses. I have used On Guard to clear an antibiotic resistant staph infection and a clinical study found it effective against the H1N1 flu virus. The science is emerging on this incredible blend, but I’d recommend it for everything! Read more here.
To buy essential oils, click here
3. Ditch the perfume!!!!!
Please, I know it is hard to give up your favourite scent, but the chemicals and the harm they can cause in perfume will surprise you. And our littlies breathe these chemicals too! With essential oils you can get a nice smell and a therapeutic effect. There will be lots of recipes to try on pinterest if you do a search, or visit my board for inspiration!
Pick Me Up and Calm Me Down also have a beautiful perfume as well as HUGE emotional benefits. Take a look here!
4. Go no poo!
To be honest, the synthetic fragrance in your shampoo is probably the least of your worries! The harsh chemical mix in shampoos and conditioners strips your hair of its natural oils, ultimately making it more greasy and less healthy, and the myriad of chemicals are absorbed into our bodies and do significant damage (some are reportedly linked to cancer).
Instead you can easily make your own shampoo that leaves your hair feeling gorgeous! You can make using ingredients you have in your pantry, plus essential oils!
- Honey (preferably raw and unfiltered) and/or coconut milk
- Distilled water
- An essential oil
- A simple container or pump of some sort
- A spoon. This is to mix all of the ingredients together.
I choose a mix of lavender and Rosemary from my shampoo because I find the lavender soothing and rosemary oil is wonderful for promoting hair growth, soothing dry scalps, and adding volume to your locks.
5. Replace your air freshener/wax melt/any synthetic frangrance with a diffuser
For all of the reasons above, synthetic scents to freshen the air in your home have to go. Did you know indoor air may be anywhere from two to five times as polluted as outdoor air?? This is because of all of those chemicals emitted from the products we use every day and also the electrosmog emitted from our mobile devices.
I’m really passionate about helping people to move away from synthetic scents and other chemicals because they can cause a myriad of problems, including migraines, skin problems and asthma attacks, and our babies just deserve better. They emerge from the safe, controlled environment of our wombs into a world that is fraught with risks. Chemical scents are one we can protect them from, and according to the Breast Cancer Fund, when it comes to the prevention of cancer, avoiding synthetic fragrance is one of the main ways to help yourself and them! (See article here.)
According to Dr. Axe, there at least 3,000 ingredients that could possibly be used to form a product’s scent and they don’t necessarily have to be listed on a product’s label. So with an essential oil you are just getting one, pure, natural oil that comes directly from the bark, stem, flower mother nature created for us. I encourage you to take a look at the following list, derived from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, to see just how many fragrance chemicals you can start replacing today, and as always, I am here to help!
Much Love,
Clare
Essential Mum | Non-Toxic Mama
Essential Mum 