Tuesday, March 17, 2009

St. Patrick's Day: Be Green, Be Healthy!

I try to keep the scope of this blog rather narrow. I want everything published here to encourage moms toward helping their families be healthier. So, this is not the place to discuss Global Warming or Saving the Rainforests. But, there is one aspect of "being green" that is inseparable from our family health.

Think about this with me. The same toxins that pollute our environments pollute our bodies too! Did you know that one out of every three cleaning products is KNOWN to cause human health or environmental problems? (Source: EPA) Keep in mind that only about 20% of chemicals developed in the last three decades have been tested for effects on our health. (Source: EPA)

The EPA also states that
Traditional cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals that can cause
cancer, reproductive disorders, major organ damage, and permanent eye damage. Other common health problems associated with cleaning chemicals include asthma
and other respiratory ailments, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Making the switch to "green" products has been a very simple step for our family. And I'm all about simple steps! We use Shaklee's full line of Get Clean products. Shaklee has a fifty year environmental heritage and was the nation's first Certified Climate Neutral company. In two and a half years of cleaning with these products, there hasn't been anything I couldn't clean greenly. I'm about to tackle my oven... that I've NEVER cleaned... stay tuned for before and after pictures of this feat!

For previous posts about the effects of Cleaning Chemicals on our health, read:

3 comments:

Zucchini Breath said...

I never use commercial cleaning products! Bleach is poison and I don't want it anywhere near my food. If baking soda, vinegar, salt or lemon won't clean it, then it doesn't need cleaning, it needs tossing!

Cheers to you and thanks for the great article.

Noel said...

tackling the oven.... you are brave! The first time I cleaned my oven was a couple years after we had gotten married and I picked a day when repairmen had to be in the house. What a smell! I had no idea those fumes could be that noxious. I'm surprised I didn't get sued :)

Tonya said...

Ashamedly, I admit that I've never cleaned my oven either! And boy does it need it! Let me know how you did it with your cleaning products and I'll be your copy-cat! I can't wait to see the before and after pictures!