CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Anything that makes contact with our skin ends up inside our body, and everything that goes into our body has to be processed and expelled.

Manmade chemicals are foreign to the human body and thus require huge amounts of energy to deal with. Because our immune system is expending energy getting rid of these chemicals to protect our vital organs, it has less time to do its other daily chores such as fighting bugs, viruses, allergens, and clearing out old cellular debris. It is therefore no coincidence that cases of allergies linked to food, animals, dust, plants, and grasses are on the increase.

As I have written before, a weakened immune system switches on any genetic weaknesses you may have. On a personal level, my weakened immune system upset my hormonal balance causing digestive pain, anxiety, skin issues and PCOS. “Cleaning up” the household and beauty products I use has played an integral role in healing all the issues mentioned above.

Can you pronounce all the ingredients of your toothpaste? Hand soap? Shampoo? Deodorant? If you can’t, throw it out! It’s hideous for your health and terrible for our environment. Chemical exposure causes huge amounts of disruption to your body, stress levels, sleep patterns and general health. People can experience anything from low energy levels, eczema and asthma to hormonal imbalances, weight issues and mood disorders. Children are particularly at risk, so please choose wisely for them.

As always we need to think holistically – so food, movement and mindfulness practises are massively important in bringing better health. For tips on how to better these areas of your life read here and here.

Here are three places to start “cleaning up”:

TOOTHPASTE

Home-made options

• Coconut oil
• Baking soda
• A mix of coconut oil, baking soda and peppermint essential oil (google search exact measurements)

Store bought options

• Look for natural and/or organic brands that are free from sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), fluoride, sorbitol, parabens, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phthalates, artificial sweeteners, petrochemicals and colourants (and free from any other ingredients you can’t pronounce)
• Look for the ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘not tested on animals’ certification
• I like Green People and Toms

DEODORANT

This one is super important. We are supposed to sweat – it is one of the major ways we get rid of our toxins. Antiperspirant deodorant contains a mix of chemicals to stop you from sweating, meaning that those toxins have nowhere to go but back into your body. For women this is most often stored in the fatty breast tissue. Antiperspirant deodorant is linked to breast cancer – PLEASE stop using it!

Home-made options

• A mix of coconut oil, baking soda, arrowroot powder or organic corn starch powder and your choice of essential oils (google search exact measurements)

Store bought options

• Look for natural and/or organic brands that are free from aluminum, zinc salts, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, fragrances, triclosan, talc, steareth-n, silica, silicones and dyes (and free from any other ingredients you can’t pronounce)
• Look for the ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘not tested on animals’ certification
• I like Aubrey Organics

SOAP

Home-made options

• A mix of coconut oil, olive oil, lye and your choice of essential oils  (google search exact measurements)

Store bought options

• Look for natural and/or organic brands that are free from ammonia, chlorine, glycol solvents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, artificial colorants, phosphates or petroleum distillates (and free from any other ingredients you can’t pronounce)
• Look for the ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘not tested on animals’ certification
• I like Dr Bronners and Oliva

Once you’ve cleaned up these three then move on to your shampoo and conditioner, body moisturiser and perfume. After that you can look into your face creams, sunscreens and all your household cleaning products.

Making these choices will not only have you feeling better, but they will also be helping to better care and support the people sourcing, manufacturing and selling these items…and don’t forget about the positive impact they will also have on the environment and animal welfare. Good choices!