Medicinal Roots - Week 3: Cleaning Supplies

A close friend of mine asked an excellent question regarding natural hair care products this week. While I would LOVE to have this be my topic for the week, I simply do not know enough about it yet to make a solid statement about them. Personally, I have rid my house of any salon type hair products and began working with a "natural" shampoo and conditioner that I purchased at my local grocery store. It is not the best option, but it is better than what I was using previously and has far less ingredients listed on the bottle than my old brand. Currently, I use Nature's Gate Shampoo and Conditioner (not combined). The version of Nature's Gate that I have is the Tea Tree Oil and Lavender. It took a while for my hair to get used to the new product, but now, having used it for about 3 weeks, my hair is very light, has tons of volume, and feels very silky soft. It was worth the wait. 


SO, until I have more information regarding organic/natural hair care, I will leave it as it is stated above. Do some research, check out their site, and make your own decision on whether or not they would be a good choice for you. 


In the mean time, below is an article I wrote regarding safe recipes for Spring Cleaning and the effects of the current harsh, chemical-filled cleaning supplies on the market today. Enjoy!

Spring Cleaning the Cleaning Supplies

Many of the synthetic chemical cleaners found in the average household are overly compartmentalized to suit specific needs such as clean drains, windows, dishes, or carpets. This means there is a cleaner for anything and everything, which also means there is a price tag that accompanies these cleaners leading to one more unnecessary poisonous chemical in the home.

Money and clutter aside, these chemicals are the hidden cost of the cleaning supplies deemed safe by government entities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a study conducted in 1985, toxic chemicals found in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution. The Toronto Indoor Air Conference found from a 15 year study that women who managed the household had a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who worked outside of the home in 1990 as a result of being consistently exposed to toxic chemical cleaning supplies.

Warning labels hide behind deep blue Windex liquid making it impossible to read unless the liquid is gone. Other's direct the user to call Poison Control if they ingest any of the cleaner or get it in their eyes. Cleaners are often sprayed on kitchen counters and tables, children's toys, and bathroom surfaces. All areas that contain items that end up in family members's mouths. A toothbrush or an apple, teething rings or bottles.

Spring cleaning has never been so dangerous.

Fortunately there is hope for the future, as all one needs to do is take a look into the past. With two common, non-toxic ingredients that have been used for hundreds of years, households are able to eliminate nearly every synthetic chemical cleaner under the kitchen sink. By combining baking soda and white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and switching it out for the plethora of chemical cleaners lingering throughout the house, not only has the home owner saved money, but they have also protected their family from poisons that irritate allergies, cause asthma, and cancer among many other respiratory and digestive ailments.

To aid in the Spring Cleaning of Cleaning Supplies some formulas have been provided below:

• All Purpose Cleaner: ½ Cup Vinegar and ¼ Cup Baking Soda mixed with ½ gallon of water. Use in a spray bottle to cut through grease, soap scum, water stains, disinfect surfaces, etc.
  
  
• Deodorizer: Sprinkle Baking Soda on carpets, in shoes or gym bags to eliminate odors.
  
  
• Windows: Mix 2 teaspoons of White Vinegar with 1 quart of warm Water.

Please remember to dispose of any chemical cleaning supplies in a safe and appropriate manner. 

Happy Spring Cleaning,

~ Birdie