Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

Melissa Wiliams, Freelance Writer | Co-Owner, Yoga Junction

We’re not always sure what exactly causes cancer, but we do know there are certain chemicals that can promote it. Try eliminating these contaminants from your home and help cancer-proof your life.

Where to Start

If deciding to improve the air-quality of your home is a big task break it down into smaller steps. Jeffrey Hollender, Seventh Generation CEO and President, recommends the following steps in decreasing order of importance:

1. Remove the pesticides from your home.

2. Get rid of anything that has the word disinfectant. Disinfectants are basically pesticides and are some of the most dangerous chemicals.

3. Find more natural spray cleaners: anything you spray into the air you are more likely to ingest. USE VINEGAR and BAKING SODA!

4. Begin using non-toxic laundry and dish products

*Contact your local waste department to find out how to properly dispose toxic materials.

The Low-Down on Cleaning supplies

PRODUCT: Automatic Dishwashing Powder

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Chlorine, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, DEA (Diathenolamine)

ALTERNATIVES: Bi-O-Kleen Automatic Dish Soap – Mountain Green Liquid Dish Soap – Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid

WHY SWITCH?: A recent study at the University of Texas found that dishwashers were a significant source of hazardous fumes. They found that dishwashers have the ability to each 100% efficiency when transferring water pollutants and detergents into the indoor air.

PRODUCT: Bleach

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Chlorine

ALTERNATIVES: Bi-O-Kleen Oxygen Bleach Plus – Heather’s Oxygen Bleach Cleanser – Seventh Generation Non-Chlorine Bleach

WHY SWITCH?: Chlorine causes atmosopheric ozone loss, and it’s byproduct, dioxin, has been linked to cancer and reproductive disorders. Also, when chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia it will cause a chemical reactionthat creates a lethal poisonous gas. (This is actually on the label of most cleaning products. Have you ever noticed it?)

PRODUCT: All-Purpose Cleaner

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Solvents, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s class of airborne toxins), ammonia, petroleum, synthetic fragrances

ALTERNATIVES: Bi-O-Kleen All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, Spray & Wipe Cleaner, Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, Heather’s All Purpose Soap, Mountain Green All-Purpose Cleanser/Degreaser, NewBrite All Purpose Cleaner, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

WHY SWITCH? EDTA and NTA are two chemicals used to boost the performance of cleaning supplies. However, these two chemicals are also both toxic and non-biodegradable, and thus could potentially leave toxic heavy metals in underwater sediments.

PRODUCT: Laundry Detergent

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Synthetic fragrances, DEA (Diethanolamine)

ALTERNATIVES: Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Powder, Mountain Green Liquid Laundry Detergen, NewBrite Liquid Laundry Detergent, Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid

WHY SWITCH? In 1998 the National Toxicology Program completed a study that found an association between the topical application of DEA and DEA-related cancer in laboratory animals. Although the study did not confirm a direct link the FDA is taking the results very seriously and is evaluating the real DEA risk to consumers. Meanwhile, several companies have voluntarily chosen to develop products that are DEA-free. Synthetic fragrances are known allergy triggers and may cause skin irritations.

PRODUCT: Optical Brighteners: Used on surfaces and fabrics to make them appear brighter or whiter

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Benzene

ALTERNATIVES: Non-chlorine bleach alternatives. Also separating colors and whites will help keep whites white & longer.

WHY SWITCH? Optical brighteners are chemicals that remain behind when the cleaning is complete to reflect light outward making the surface appear brighter. Since these chemicals are meant to stick around they can cause allergies, and reports have shown that they can react with sunscreen causing sunscreen failure.

PRODUCT: Glass Cleaner

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Solvents, alcohols, ammonia, glycol ethers

ALTERNATIVES: Heather’s Window Cleaner, Mountain Green Streak-Free Glass Cleaner, NewBrite Glass & Window Cleaner, Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner

WHY SWITCH?: Ammonia is a respiratory irritant and glycol ethers have been linked to organ damage. Furthermore, due to glass cleaners spray nozzle they are quickly dispersed through the air which increases the potential negative effects.

PRODUCT: Carpet Cleaner/Stain Remover

TOXIC CHEMICALS: Alcohols, synthetic fragrances, chlorine, petroleum, glycol ethers, phosphates, dyes

ALTERNATIVES: Bi-O-Kleen Stain & Odor Eliminator, PureAyre Odor Eliminator Seventh Generation Carpet Cleaner

WHY SWITCH? Harmful residues may be accidentally ingested by children and pets. With approximately 15% of the American population having sensitivities to chemicals in household products, daily contact could create an allergy. Several non-toxic lines use enzymes to attack waste and odors whereas others use hydrogen peroxide and citrus oil.

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