A Chemically Free Home

The Naturally Clean Home, by Karyn Siegel-Maier is a must read for anyone wanting to learn  how to make your own natural cleaning products. In the very first chapter she illustrates some shocking statics such as;

"The Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that more than 150 chemicals found in ordinary household products are directly responsible for producing cancer, allergies, birth defects, and numerous psychological disorders".

"In 1990 alone, more than 4,000 children under the age of four were given emergency treatment for poisoning by consumption of a household cleaner. In the same year, nearly 18,000 pesticide-related incidents were reported in which 74 percent of the victims were younger than 14 years of age".

In great detail Karyn goes into the hidden dangers in each of the many cleaners we use on a daily basis. Products such as laundry detergents, furniture polish, air fresheners, and toilet bowl cleaners, just to name a few. She also shares many wonderful recipes to make our own cleaners that will not only save us money but keep our homes,families and ourselves safe, healthy and clean.

I began to some research after deciding to change my diet an to live a healthier lifestyle. I immediately realized that living healthy these days in not easy and certainly not cheap. It can be very discouraging when just about everything you pick up in the grocery store is infested with preservatives and chemicals with names you can hardly pronounce. Then when you stroll down this isle and take a deep breath, you notice for the first time a very powerful chemical odor. This odor is called "out gassing", the term used when chemicals escape through the sealed plastics. It is very wise to hold your breath when walking down this isle. When breathing in this toxic aroma, can be just as dangerous as absorbing them though the skin or digesting them. In the past year alone childhood asthma has increased as much as 400%. I wonder if the air we breath has anything to do with this?

I don't know about you, but personally I have known and lost too many dear friends and relatives over the past few years to cancer, and I am always pondering the same question; why cancer? I may never fully understand or have all the answers, but if recent research is showing us that the majority of consumer products containing chemicals directly related to cancer and other health problems, are indeed putting us at risk, why not stop using those products?

We have become too accustomed to convenience and low cost. If your life is at risk doesn't it just make sense not to buy and consume what always will be cheap and convenient? I do understand that not everyone's lifestyle can accommodate, making all of your own cleaning supplies and personal cleaning items, or growing a great big garden. However I do encourage everyone to at least be informed and read the labels. There are many natural and organic companies out there that have established great reputations. Do an on-line search, find your local farmers' market, and who knows, you may actually enjoy growing your own food or even making your own multi-purpose cleaner from vinegar!