Practising as a Naturopath, it is evident the dangerous ways toxins are contributing to chronic disease states. The environment you expose your body to has the potential to express genes (for the better or worst). A nourishing diet full of organic foods is a solid foundation for your health, as is a stress free lifestyle, regular healthy movement and minimising toxins in your home.

Reducing toxins in body care products plays an important role in promoting balanced hormone health (among much more). Seeking out and using toxin-free cleaning products around the home has an equally important value to the health of you and your loved ones.

Just as I recommend with body care products, it is important to understand what your cleaning products contain. Watch out for these nasties on labels:

• Abbreviations: PEG, PPG, MEA, DEA, TEA, BHA, BHT, DMDM, D&C, FD&C
• ‘eth’ ingredients: oleth, cateareth, laureate, steareth
• Parabens: ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, proply paraben, butyl paraben
• Fragrance: fragrance, parfum, perfume
• Ingredients ending in: oxynal, polysorbate, methicone
• Synthetic alcohols: benzyl, butyl, isopropyl, myristyl, propyl
• Vegetable wax, emulsifying wax
• Others: mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, paraffin, butylene glycol, imadazolidinyl urea, coco betaine, propylene glycol

“…our endocrine system whilst responsible for regulating our metabolism and sending important messages to just about every cell in our body is impacted dramatically by even small amounts of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (phthalates in particular which have, according to the Environmental Working Group been found in all fragrances).

“Fragrance” is a cluster ingredient which means thousands of chemicals can be listed under that one name and the individual chemicals within the “fragrance” do not have to be shown on the label.

Our endocrine system is also responsible for our hormones and for hormonal development and yet only the smallest amount of synthetic estrogen can have dire consequences on every body, young or old, but in particular on developing fetuses and on children.” Therese Kerr explains.

You can read more about the impact of toxins on your hormone health (and what to do to overcome this), in my book Balanced, The Natural Way To Healthy Hormones.

To help you achieve toxin free living, here are 6 of my favourite cleaning recipes for in and around your home.

TOXIN-FREE CLEANING

HOMEMADE HAND WASH

300ml glass bottle pump dispenser

2 tbs liquid unscented castille soap (Dr Bronners is my fav) 

1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil

10 drops of essential oils of your choice

e.g. Peppermint & Lavender, or doTERRA On Guard blend, or Lemon & Lavender or Lemon & Tea Tree

Firstly add water to the bottle, followed by then the soap, oil and essential oil

(Source: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-foaming-hand-soap)

ALL PURPOSE SPRAY  

500 ml amber glass spray bottle

2 tablespoons white vinegar

30 drops essential oil

eg. 15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon, or 10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange, or 30 drops OnGuard/ 15 drops each of Grapefruit and OnGuard

Filtered water

Add ingredients together into glass bottle, shake well. Can be used for all surfaces; bathroom or kitchen.

MOULD CLEANER 

Clean the surfaces with a mixture of 4 litres of hot water, 1 tablespoon bicarb of soda and half a cup of vinegar. Discard your cloth or scrubbing brush.

Mix a quarter teaspoon of clove essential oil per litre of water, put it in a spray bottle, lightly mist on mouldy surface.

Leave for 20 minutes and wipe off. Discard your cloth.

Spray again and leave.

(Source: Spotless, Shannon Lush)

ONGOING SHOWER CLEANER (TO PREVENT MOULD)

500ml amber glass spray bottle

25 drops clove oil (or doTERRA OnGuard blend)

5 drops Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil

5 drops Tea Tree essential oil

¼ cup white vinegar

Distilled water

Add ingredients to your bottle and top up with water. After having a shower each night, shake and spray down the shower.

SHOWER SCRUB

4 parts (1600ml) white fermented vinegar

1 part (400ml) distilled water

2 drops of Clove essential oil 

2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda

Juice 1 lemon

Add these ingredients into a bowl and use a cloth or scrubbing brush to clean the shower walls and grout.

After, spray the area with the above ‘Ongoing Shower Cleaner’ spray.

GLASS CLEANER

500ml glass spray bottle

1 ½ cup white vinegar

½ cup distilled water

8 drops citrus essential oil of choice (Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Wild Orange, or a combination)

Add vinegar, water, and essential oil(s) to spray bottle and shake. Spray to clean glass surfaces.

(Source: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-glass-cleanser)

Note: Not all essential oils are created equally. I use doTERRA 100% pure essential oils due to their strict purity and quality standards. Each batch is tested for traces of solvents, pesticides, synthetics, fillers or any other chemical residues. They are solely bottled pure plant extracts. If they don’t pass the test, they simply are not bottled. This can be checked by entering the unique code on the bottom of each (single oil) bottle at www.sourcetoyou.com.  The oils are also sourced from where they are indigenously grown (or where the highest quality plant for the oil can be found) in a sustainable and ethical way to support the farmers and the wider community. Higher purity and quality means increased therapeutic value. 

If you would like to learn more about how these powerful gifts of nature can support your health, happiness and home, head over here. 

GO NATURAL FOR YOUR HEALTH & HAPPINESS

Along with supporting your body with a nourishing diet (you can get some inspo in my recipe book), living a stress free lifestyle, moving your body regularly, minimising your exposure to toxins is crucial for supporting your overall health happiness.