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Healing Strategies - Detox Household Products

    It is pointless to spend money adding supplements if you don't
    subtract toxic products under your sink, in your cabinets,
    at your desk  and in your storage areas. Keep an eye out for:

  • Cleaning Products
  • Laundry Products
  • Storage Containers
  • Air Fresheners
  • Coffee Filters
  • Solvents
  • Pest Control Products

    Since there are so many dangerous chemicals in
    commercial household products, it is best to avoid them.

    Consider substitutes.

    For cleaning, consider using vinegar and water, baking soda or
    borax for cleaning. For polishing furniture, consider olive oil.  

    For laundry use Borax. Also, try soaking laundry overnight so
    a fraction of detergent is needed.

    Any anti-bacterial cleaning product contains pesticide.

    Stock up on glass storage containers rather than plastic
    which may shed toxic chemicals.

    Use only unbleached coffee filters to avoid dioxin.

    Avoid Teflon cookware.

    Air-fresheners may contain pesticides. Consider substituting
    an orange stuck with cloves.

    For pest control and other healthy solutions, see www.greenguide.com

    Some tips compiled by the Household Toxins' Organization:

  • Be aware of  products that do not list the complete ingredients,
    but state "buffering agents", "quality control agents,"
    "surfactants" or "preservatives".

  • Look for products that contain non-petroleum surfactants; that are
    chlorine, ammonia, and phosphate free and are biodegradable.

  • Traditional toilet or oven cleaners, disinfectants and furniture
    polish contain the highest amounts of toxic chemicals.

    Products intended to make surfaces shiny, that spray waxes and
    floor polishes deposit residues that often pose risks to health.  In
    addition, these products often contain hazardous solvents that
    keep the ingredients suspended in the formula and decrease the
    product's drying time.

    Never mix cleaners.  Combining different products can inadvertently
    create substances whose toxicity is higher than the individual
    cleaners alone.

    Do not clean with hot water.  Hot water allows the volatile chemicals
    found in many product formulas to evaporate and enter your
    home's air in greater quantities.




    This website is intended as information only. The editors of this site are not medically-trained.
    Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before implementing any health strategy.
    The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that
    exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician. This site accepts no
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    Contact us with comments or for reprint permission at admin@breastcancerchoices.org

     Web page updated January 18,  2010.