TThis time of year I start craving a thorough spring cleaning. I want everything to sparkle, shine and smell fresh. When the sun streams in, suddenly windows look cloudy, surfaces appear dusty, and every countertop begs to be wiped down.
In my pursuit of that fresh, clean feeling I uncovered some upsetting and even dangerous truths about common household products.
When I use the word dangerous, I’m not trying to get attention — this is serious. This isn’t a short or pretty post, but it contains important home-safety information I feel compelled to share. It hits close to home for all of us.
I always feel better when my house feels clean, and I suspect you do too. Our home has never been perfect — I’m not a clean freak. I’m scatterbrained and sometimes messy — but walking into a kitchen or bathroom that looks, feels and smells clean gives me a psychological boost.
Keeping our home “clean enough” has been an investment in our family’s well-being. I wanted to protect my family from harmful substances and germs, provide sparkling dishes and fresh clothes, and create a healthy environment for everyone who lives here.
My husband and I consider ourselves gatekeepers of our home; we try to ensure that what enters our space is safe and healthy. But to my horror, despite our efforts to buy safer products, I discovered disturbing and sometimes dangerous items lurking in our home.
See my next post with simple changes for a cleaner home.
Some products I invited into our home because they smelled pleasant or seemed helpful actually contained toxins — including known carcinogens, endocrine and reproductive disruptors, allergens and other harmful chemicals.
Over the past few years I became more mindful of what we used. The more I researched, the more I learned about hidden dangers in our everyday environment.
One study reported that researchers found 287 chemicals in umbilical cord blood from newborns — many linked to cancer, birth defects, or toxicity to the brain, endocrine and nervous systems. The idea that so many harmful substances can reach developing babies is alarming.
We encounter hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals every day. Our bodies can process a lot, but we live in an environment where chemical exposures can add up into a complex mix our systems weren’t designed to handle.
I’m not trying to spread fear, but this information motivated me to act and to be more cautious about what I bring into our home.
When my son was a baby I learned to read ingredient lists carefully. That experience made me realize we needed to take household product safety as seriously as food labels. I began to question the cleaners, air fresheners, candles and personal care products we used.
For years I lit candles, sprayed synthetic air fresheners and used convenient cleaning wipes. I bought products that smelled “yummy” and reached for labels with words like spring, renewal and natural fragrance. But I learned that the label “fragrance” can hide dozens of undisclosed ingredients.
Companies are not required to list the specific chemicals that make up a fragrance. That term can mask phthalates and other preservatives linked to endocrine disruption and other harms. A product labeled “natural” can also contain non-natural ingredients; “natural” has no universal standard and requires further investigation.
I began researching product ingredients and company practices. I discovered some brands I trusted had been acquired by larger companies I didn’t trust, and that quality standards vary widely.
Why did finding truly safe products become so stressful and time-consuming?
We tried to create a healthier environment for our children from early on. We weren’t perfect, but we tried to be careful when we knew about dangers. Even so, it made me sick to realize how many potential hazards we missed.
Each year I learn more and become more determined. I’m appalled by what’s still sold to consumers and frustrated by how much of it is hidden in plain sight. Many of the products we once considered harmless may also be present in your home.
Over time, those toxins can build up in our homes and in our bodies, potentially contributing to cancer and other diseases.
For our family, the meaning of a clean home has changed. Clean no longer means only sparkling surfaces or pleasant scent. It now means removing toxic chemicals and choosing safer alternatives.
These dangers have been right under our noses — stored under sinks, sprayed on counters, used on dishes, dabbed on babies’ skin, and applied to our hair and clothing. People are literally becoming ill because of the products they use at home.
I felt guilty for what we didn’t know, but guilt doesn’t change the past. There are no guarantees of perfect health, but we can let this knowledge motivate practical change rather than fear.
Start small and keep learning. Any action toward a healthier home is better than none. Our bodies are resilient and respond well when we reduce harmful exposures and support wellness with good food, clean water, exercise, and non-toxic, plant-based products.
Yes, it takes time and attention to replace products, but it’s worth it. Toss toxic cleaners and personal care items and replace them with plant-based, transparent alternatives. You don’t need to get your money’s worth from hazardous products — it’s better to discard them and never look back.
Being healthy isn’t more expensive or time consuming than being sick. Redefine what clean means: clean should be healthy and safe.
Tomorrow I’ll share practical changes we made, DIY cleaning recipes, and specific replacements for harsh chemical products. If you’re ready to ditch toxic items now, I’ll encourage and support you with tips and product ideas we use to start cleaning your home for good.
Here is a link to some plant-based products my family trusts and has used for years (and information on joining our wellness group where we clean out our homes together).
Update 2019: I continue to feel better than ever thanks to our commitment to removing toxic products and being more diligent about what enters our home.
This journey to a healthier home can be eye-opening and inspiring — don’t wait.
See you tomorrow for helpful tips on really cleaning your home.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. Nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. This reflects my personal observations and experience.
Click here for simple changes you can make for a cleaner home!