How ‘clean’ is your cleaner?
Most of us just worry about how clean our cleaner will make our bathrooms, benches, dishes etc….however, what we should be wondering about more is how ‘clean’ is the actual cleaner?
When I ask people to think about what they washed their dishes or their chopping boards in today - I can see them have an 'aha' moment - Why? Because when I explain that is what they will be ingesting later with their food "I never thought of that" is what most say back to me with a concerned look on their face.
One thing to point out - the cleaning product manufacturers DO NOT have to list all the ingredients on the backs of your products - so even if you think you know - you may never know the whole story! They just don’t have to disclose! On top of that 'greenwashing' is very real these days - so be on alert if you see a product for sale in a store that says 'Natural' or 'Green' 'Eco-friendly' 'Non-toxic' etc on the front. Whilst we would love to believe that is more than marketing, you still need to turn over the product and read the ingredients - still then you'll never know unless you do some searching on the internet for a full disclosure ingredient list.
👉 A really important reason to find a company that is transparent and lists EVERYTHING!
I have a question for you - Are you a scientist? Many of us would answer no, however, we are already working with chemicals in our own homes - and mixing them!
We had a family friend who ended up in hospital with a nosebleed that lasted almost 2 weeks before anything would stop it. It started because he was cleaning his shower with bleach and a shower cleaner. The two chemicals mixed and formed an invisible gas that burned the inside of their nose horrendously.
How can this happen when both products are for sale in shops? Because there was very very very fine print on the shower cleaner that said 'Do not use in conjunction with bleach'. He didn't see it without his reading glasses, and as many people say to me, you just don't read every single line of text when purchasing cleaning products.
Even mixing seemingly 'natural' products with bleach can be dangerous.
"Bleach and Vinegar: The key thing to know here is that vinegar is an acid and its potential for toxicity should not be underestimated. It has a low pH, usually under three. When vinegar is mixed with bleach, a toxic chlorine gas is produced. “This gas was used as a chemical weapon in World War I, causing damage to soldiers’ eyes, nose, and lungs with prolonged exposure,” says Lu. This is not a mixture you want in your home. " Business Insider 2020
For more information on the dangers of mixing cleaners CLICK HERE.
The two examples I gave above are enough to warrant switching to a plant-based cleaner. Here are another 5!
Safety
As well as the reasons I mentioned above - Have you read the label on the back of a cleaner? Often they will say Warning! Flammable! Do not ingest! Keep out of reach of children!
Many chemicals used in household cleaners have not been tested for safety. Household cleaning supplies are one of the top five substance classes accounting for calls to Poisons Information Centres. Plus, there are thousands of chemicals that are in cleaning products that have never been tested for safety. So many of your family members, children, babies, and even your furry family are incredibly vulnerable to chemical exposure, one because they are crawling or walking around touching things constantly, and two because they are smaller and cannot get rid of toxins as easily as adults. It is so important to get rid of these harsh chemicals for a cleaner plant-based option.
Air Quality
Did you know that indoor air is 5–7 times more polluted than outdoor air? 72% of your bodies toxic load comes from your own home. On top of that, we spend around 90% of our time indoors.
Most cleaning products contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - (source: Australian State of Environment - soe.environment.gov.au), which have been associated with many health problems. These VOCs are released when you use your products and they then linger in the air long afterwards. When we breathe, we inhale air—as well as whatever is in the air. Do you have anyone with breathing issues, asthma, frequent colds, flu or allergies in your home? Definitely a reason to ditch the harsh chemicals for a cleaner plant-based option.
Environmental Impact
Harsh chemicals found in cleaners are not only potentially harmful to our bodies, but they also have a major impact on the environment and are huge contributors to environmental pollution. Some conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that are toxic, non-biodegradable, and from non-renewable resources like petroleum, so they harm our Earth’s ecosystems. They then contaminate the water through rivers and lakes, and ultimately affects wildlife, plants, trees, and of course, us! Definitely a reason to ditch the harsh chemicals for a cleaner plant-based option.
Convenience
It’s much easier to clean with a few products that take care of all your cleaning needs, rather than having many potentially toxic products under your sink and in your bathrooms. I remember years ago walking out of the supermarket with at least 5-6 different cleaners - one for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, one for the toilet, one for the floors - the list goes on. All of those harmful chemicals over and over and over again in my home. Now I've switched to one plant-based cleaner that DOES IT ALL! I can tackle multiple cleaning jobs in my home without switching products as I clean!
It cleans benchtops, windows, mirrors, floors, toilets, showers, and pretty much everything else. Plus, I don’t have to worry about accidentally mixing dangerous chemicals together. It is super convenient - I order it online and it's delivered to my door as often as I want it! I no longer have to read all the ingredients as I know it is completely clean - The best part? My budget loves it! One concentrate that I purchase every few months vs constant purchasing of harsh chemicals monthly. So that brings us to my 5th reason - yes cost!
Cost
As I mentioned the cost of buying cleaners is expensive, especially if you have to buy multiple different cleaners. The one I have found - and I have been using for over 13 YEARS! is very cost-effective, and it comes in a concentrated form.
Using the standard ratio (that honestly is perfect for everything I need to do), I can get around 22 spray bottles of all-purpose cleaner! The BEST part is you dilute it into a spray bottle - so everything is spray and wipe!
So what is the cleaner I use?
It is called THIEVES HOUSEHOLD CLEANER - and yes I've been using it for over 13 years now. I've never found anything better, safer, and kinder to the plant. Ever.
Want some?
You can grab a bottle here.
Naomi Dyer is a Bestselling Author, International Speaker, Internationally Certified Results Coach, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor. She's a beacon of resilience and empowerment, whose journey through adversity inspires audiences worldwide.
If you would like to learn more, see her story, or book her to speak at your event visit www.naomidyer.com.au
