Would you let your kids play with toxic chemicals? No? So why let them play on a surface that has been cleaned with a product that contains a high level of harmful, toxic chemicals?
Chemicals in common household cleaning products can increase the risks of children developing asthma, eczema and other allergies and even some forms of cancer. In the last decade the number of women suffering from asthma has increased by a staggering 82% because we generally carry out more household tasks.
Children?s tiny bodies and rapid respiratory rates make them especially at risk from suffering damaging health problems because of toxins in cleaning products. Luckily, however, there is something we can all do to protect our families from these dangerous chemicals.
?Choose an organic brand which carries an official eco certification? advises Graeme Hume, UK distributor of natural, organic cleaning range, Alma Win. ?There are a number of popular brands on the market which claim to be natural but clever marketing can be misleading and some products which shout about their green credentials are being economical with the truth. The governmental standards aren?t stringent enough so it is important to take responsibility for your own family and know what to look out for.?
Couples trying to conceive should also take heed of the advice. Recent research found a possible link between the chemicals in household cleaning products and problems with female fertility. A study conducted earlier this year by UCLA found a potential correlation between the amount of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), present in many household products, and female fertility. Women with higher concentrations of PFCs in their blood were around 134% less likely to become pregnant within six months than those with lower levels.
To help you know what to look out for in cleaning products, Graeme has provided this valuable list of ?nasties? which are to be avoided at all costs:
- phosphates
- chlorine
- petrochemicals
- optical brighteners
- colour additives
- ethoxylated raw materials
- perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)
- Bulking agents
It is more cost effective and eco friendly to buy products which are concentrated as fewer deliveries are required to transport the products from the manufacturer to the shelf, reducing your carbon footprint.
Aim to buy products which are 100% natural ? The word ?natural? is unregulated and therefore abused by manufacturers who can get away with claiming that their products are natural when they contain as little as 1% natural ingredients. To help identify which products really are natural, look out for an organic certification such as ECO Garantie.
Successful dermatological testing ? Shockingly, Alma Win is the ONLY cleaning brand which has been sucessfully dermatologically tested, meaning that it is the only cleaning product proved to be kind to your skin. Using gentle cleaning products can help keep the delicate skin on your hands wrinkle-free!
There are many organic alternatives on the market these days – try Alma Win?s wide range consists of over 15 products including washing up liquid, household cleaner, toilet cleaner and washing powder, which carry the ECO Garantie certificate. Unlike most other ?natural? brands Alma Win declares all its ingredients and ensures full label transparency.
Another alternative is Ecover products, which are available in the major supermarkets. I have tried them and they are better than the chemicalised alternatives we see on Tv – no names mentioned!
