Dr. Avnish Jolly,25 May:Many companies are just chomping at the bit, eager to reach into the wallets of modern, environmentally concerned consumers who want to live healthier lives, without having to boil their own soap. And by now, everyone should be aware that advertising is all too frequently about making money, not about telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Now there is nothing wrong about earning a profit, after all it is the Modern way, but when you compromise and exchange human health in exchange for profits, most has a major problem with that.
Some natural cleaners still contain petroleum distillates such as benzene, or 1,4 dioxane, both of which can cause cancer, not to mention the fact that they come from a non-renewable resource (oil) which is, in and of itself, far from eco-friendly. 1,4 dioxane is also a suspected kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant.
Organic Consumer’s Association’s review.Natural and organic personal care and household cleaning products, the only products that consistently tested negative for 1,4 dioxane were those carrying the USDA Certified Organic seal.
Other dangerous ingredients to look out for include:
• Phosphates – cause algae proliferation in bodies of water, killing marine life
• Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE’s) – cause reproductive defects, liver and kidney damage
• Phthalates – cause sperm damage and reproductive defects in boys
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), including 1,4-dichlorobenzene – cause nose and throat irritation, dizziness, asthma
• Glycol Ethers
• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Ethanolamines
Natural chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, and should also be avoided, include:
• limonene (a citrus-based oil)
• pine oil
• coconut diethanolamide
There are ways to keep household clean with vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can get the job done just as well. Most people know that baking soda is an ideal means to absorb odors in your refrigerator, but did you know it’s also a real powerhouse when it comes to cleaning? There are examples of how plain and simple baking soda can replace dangerous commercial cleaning products in your home and always use cotton cloths:
Use as a safe non-scratch scrub for metals and porcelain.
To clean your oven, simply sprinkle a cup or more of baking soda over the bottom of the oven, then cover the baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste.
To unclog a drain and rid your garbage disposal of foul smells, pour 1/2 – 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly pour 1/2 – 1 cup of vinegar in after it.
Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda.
To clean your silver, boil 2-3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil.