Posted on

What Does Bleach Clean Really Mean?

You may think that you’re keeping your child safe by cleaning the counters and floors with bleach so as to kill the germs that could harm your child, meanwhile you’re the one harming them without meaning to. It’s not your fault, most of us are raised to reach for the bleach when cleaning is involved, but do you know what actually resides in that small bottle? We’re not saying bleach doesn’t clean stains like nobody’s business, because it does, but that does not by any means make it safe. Bleach is considered a chlorine-based CORROSIVE substance, and the label doesn’t try to hide that. You would assume with a chemical powerful enough to kill bacteria in it that it would be seen as a danger to anyone exposed to it. WRONG. It is actually one of the most common and most relied on cleaners.

The most obvious danger can be found right on the label as we brought up earlier. It is a heavy corrosive material capable of irritating and potentially burning the eyes, skin, and sometimes even your respiratory tract simply by inhaling the gas when using. It is important to note that as of right now there is no organization like the FDA that regulates the cleaning products you are bringing into your homes. Even diluted bleach can still cause burns. Another common household ingredient found is Ammonia, when combined with bleach the effects could be devastating resulting in nosebleeds, neurological disorders, headaches, shortness of breath and chest pains. Basically every parent’s worst nightmare is sitting underneath your sinks right now.

As helpful as the safety tips can be when using these products, why don’t we just stop using it all together? We are in the 21st century where you can find plenty of healthy alternatives to not only chlorine bleach but many of the other toxic chemicals found in your home as well. Our personal favorite is SOL-U-MEL. Set a bottle of SOL-U-MEL where your old cleaners used to sit and you’ll be getting rid of a lot more than just stains! Here’s a list of things SOL-U-MEL does NOT have in it like other products; NO ammonia, NO chlorine bleach, and NO petroleum distillates. In other words, NO gloves, NO toxic ventilation, and NO toxic ingredients!

Posted on

The Top Nine Chemical Nightmares Lurking in Your Household Products

A lot of the focus on the FDA lately has been about what is going into our food, but people are failing to see just how bad things have really become. If the regulation of consumable products has been lackluster, then the attention given to shampoos and soaps is virtually non-existent. Thousands of chemicals fill products that we use and absorb into our bodies every time we shower or even wash our hands! With no pre-product approval, it is impossible to tell just what chemicals we are exposed to, but here are nine that you certainly need to avoid!

Parabens: This nasty concoction has been used for quite some time under the guise of a necessary ingredient due to its ability to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast. However, it also contains estrogen-like properties that have shown correlation to the increased risk of contracting breast cancer and are commonly found in shampoos, washes, deodorant, etc.

Synthetic Colors: Watch out for ingredients like D&C Red 27 and FD&C blue 1. After all they are derived from things like petroleum and coal tar. It isn’t very surprising that it is suspected to be a carcinogen and skin irritant, but it is shockingly linked to ADHD in children!

Fragrance: Here is where this tour starts to truly get scary. Fragrance was originally a term used to protect a company’s secret formula, but in this day and age, at least the FDA should know what is making your shampoo smell. We know the identities of many chemicals that create mood-calming/refreshing scents, but if they don’t even have to list their “secret blend” on the bottle, how can we even know it is dangerous or not!

Phthalates: We commonly see phthalates in the form of dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate in many hair care products, lotions, and perfumes. These compounds have a lot of evidence showing they increase the risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and even reproductive birth defects in men and women.

Triclosan: Get ready to visit yet another endocrine disruptor, except this one targets your thyroid as well as your reproductive hormones. Research is showing that excessive exposure leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. What makes it worse? The fact that most research shows it kills no more bacteria than natural hand-soap.

Sodium lauryl sulfate/Sodium laureth sulfate: These nasty chemicals can be found in pretty much any that foams up. It is a known skin, lung, and eye irritant, but a far larger concern is that SLS creates nitrosamines when combined with the wrong chemicals. This leads to all sorts of issues, but the kidneys and respiratory system take the hardest hit. Watch out for this ingredient in shampoo, body wash, mascare and acne creams.

Formaldehyde: A liquid that immediately makes us think of CSI and dead corpses, this embalming fluid is often found in products as a preservative, but it isn’t meant for the living. It was already deemed a carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens and it can have a harsh impact on your immune system. Common products containing this ingredient are nail polish, conditioners, washes, cleansers, nail polish treatments, shampoos, eye shadows, and the list goes on.

Toluene: Another petrochemical that comes from petroleum or coal, you will often find it in phenylmethane, benzene, toluol, methylbenzene. Seeing as this chemical is normally used as a paint thinner, you can imagine what it does to your skin and lungs. While the fumes are harmful to people of all ages, expecting mothers should especially beward since toluene is directly related to developmental damage in the fetus. To add to the fire, it can harm your immune system as well. Be careful when selecting items like nail polish, hair bleaching products, and nail treatment.

Propylene glycol: We see this in most things we rub into our skin or spray onto ourselves, but there is only so much we can take. When making your purchase, make sure the propylene glycol levels are below 2%. Anything higher is already at risk for causing dermatitis and hives, so it is best to avoid it altogether.

While we use most of the products mentioned in this blog on a daily basis, we aren’t as doomed as it may seem. It is true that most of the well-known brands are chalked-full of nasty chemical combos that will demolish your system, but keep in mind there is a natural alternative to every one of these items listed. Whether you learn from us our take your own path, just know that when it comes to household products and personal care items, it is better to be able to read the ingredient list without a PHD in chemistry!

Posted on

Ammonia-D Danger & Damage: 7 Side-Effects You Should Know

With our current ability to communicate quickly and openly online, there’s no longer any excuses to remain ignorant on all of these Ammonia-D side-effects.

“Ammonia-D” is actually Proctor & Gamble’s version of this public poison, which they put in Windex. What’s the “D” in “Ammonia-D” stand for?

Danger? Death? Dishonesty? Who knows? One thing is certain: the general public is still largely in the dark about Ammonia-D.

Imagine you’re an uncaring, greedy, big chemical company and one of your best-sellers suddenly stopped being ordered by all your big commercial buyers because of OSHA & EPA regulations. You would try to downplay the danger, maybe rename the poison, and recoup some of those losses by selling to an already-busy, over-worked, unsuspecting public.

Long-term exposure tests are still being conducted, but there’s a lot of studies on ammonia already published. I’ve gone ahead and sifted through pages and pages of reports for you.

In no particular order, here’s a quick rundown of 7 major side-effects of Ammonia-D.

  1. Contact can cause skin irritation (like dermatitis), and, with repeated exposure, possibly lead to severe skin damage
  2. Contact can severely burn your eyes, including potential eye damage.
  3. Inhaling Ammonia-D can irritate the nose and throat.
  4. Inhaling Ammonia-D can irritate the lungs.
  5. Higher exposures can severely damage the lungs, causing a build-up of fluid (also known as a pulmonary edema), a medical emergency
  6. Repeated exposure can also cause an asthma-like allergy and permanent airway damage.
  7. Contact with liquid ammonia can cause frostbite(!)

Does this sound like a substance you would want near your pets, friends and family?  Of course not! We wouldn’t wish these Ammonia-D side-effects onto our worst enemies.  And we’re bringing this poison into our homes, spraying it and allowing it to work its way through our air vents, while our children are sleeping.

There’s no longer any reason to keep our head in the sand. Take a stand with me, please, and avoid using these horrible products—at all costs.  Myrna, Green Clean Life Champion!

Posted on

What Does Green Really Mean?

The Environmental Working Group, or EWG, has come out with a “Hall of Shame” list and what it contains will shock and educate you. Many of the products you use in your home contain carcinogens, asthma inhibitors, and toxins. Are you paying more for that name brand cleaner for unregulated product? According to research shown, a staggering 93% of cleaning products in this independent study did not accurately state the contents nor the quantity of contents properly! The EWG research also showed that 53% of the solutions contained chemicals that are hazardous to the lungs and can cause serious damage. To add insult to injury, many of these cleaners also contained common carcinogens like formaldehyde and chlorine, but something even worse lurks around the corner

Being green is one way to combat these pesky, poisonous materials, but that “green” label you see on most products in the store also doesn’t has hidden meanings! Companies have made mild changes to their formula to qualify for these new “green” labels, but it is an attempt to take advantage of a rising market. These cleaning products might as well be toxic moltov-cocktail filled with phthalates, benzene, and phenols. This is why the movement is making so much cash though, because the manufacturer and middle-man are taking advantage of your trust.

You can’t judge a book by its cover, and you can’t trust a label jus because it says green. If you really want a green product that won’t be filled with chemicals, look to natural anti-bacterial replacements like tea tree oil and baking soda. Real Simple Magazine suggests. Lemon juice, cooking oil, and vinegar are some that you can find around the house and start using right away, so what are you waiting for? Time to join the Green Clean Life Movement.

Posted on

Your Sunscreen May Be Cancer Causing

The FDA may not have banned spray-on sunscreens as of yet, but one thing is for sure, they are doing more harm than good. We can at least thank the FDA for recently shedding some light on the potential health risks, especially regarding young children. This information feels like a 911 alert as most of the country slathers it on as if it’s a health food.

Let’s be very clear, inhaling aerosol sunscreen is dangerous and causes injury to the lungs. Especially, when it is being applied to the face, sunscreen is just plain toxic. At the very least, spray it into your hands first, then apply to your face. If there were no other options, maybe, but the truth is that there are a few, trusted alternatives on the market. Green Clean Life can help you make better choices.

Spraying sunscreen into the air also allows the spray to drift off into the air instead of adhering to the skin. This causes you to use much more than you would if it were a cream. The safest alternatives are cream and lotion formulas designed with no toxic chemicals and are safe for the whole family. The last thing you want to do is poison your family while you think you are keeping them safe.

One of the ingredients you should be looking out for is the chemical “oxybenzone”. This is predominant in almost every sunscreen you will find at your local drugstore. Unfortunately, oxybenzone penetrates the skin, promoting indirect DNA damage which causes the most lethal form of skin cancer: malignant melanoma. You read that correctly, your sunscreen is potentially causing cancer! Instead, use a mineral sunscreen (think zinc) to keep the sun protection on the surface of the skin.

Do you want to learn more about how you can eliminate toxins in your home? Click on the contact us form and let us know. Our Green Clean Life champion would love to help.

Posted on

Is Your Makeup Toxic?

Make-up is used by almost every woman on earth at some point in their lives. In fact, many women use it liberally on a regular basis. Typically, women don’t give a second thought tot he ingredients in their makeup. Unfortunately, most cosmetics have dangerous ingredients lurking behind beautiful packaging. Green Clean Life is here to tell you which dangerous ingredients to avoid.

One of the most dangerous compounds they have found in make-up is MERCURY. Yes, you heard me right. Mercury is a toxic element that can be absorbed through the skin, which in turn can cause damage to your brain. The FDA regulates the use of these compounds for a preservative that helps keep eye shadows and other eye make-up “fresh and new” on the shelves. That’s right you may have been putting MERCURY on your face and eyes. That’s not all. Certain skin-whitening creams may also be contaminated. While the FDA regulates this legally, there are some controversial scientific evidence that links Mercury exposure to Autism in children. Definitely make sure you are checking your products before buying or using!

You would think that was it, it’s not. Have you heard of Coal Tar? It is a known human carcinogen. You can find it in anti-dandruff shampoos, hair dyes, and treatments for psoriasis. It has been discovered that Coal Tar causes DNA damage which then in turn increases the likely hood of developing cancer. Coal Tar can also increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight, increasing your chances for contracting skin cancer. Products that can be found with Coal Tar should be used with caution or just avoided all together.

Last but most certainly not least we have Lead Acetates. Pretty much everyone knows that Lead is a highly toxic metal associated with neurological and organ toxicity. Surprise surprise, it also plays a role in cancer development. It is EXCEPTIONALLY poisonous to children! Although the FDA has requirements and regulations around the use of Lead in certain dyes, it does not have a stringent regulation on lead found in any other cosmetic. One of the main products that usually contains Lead is lipsticks. Imported cosmetics may also have high Lead content. For safety keep all cosmetics away from children!

If a product isn’t safe to be near your child, why is it okay to be near you? Please join us at our next webinar and learn about the hidden dangers in your household and cosmetic products. Also, learn how to swap them out AFFORDABLY and create a healthy environment for your family. Text 480-707-3859 to enter to win a FREE GIFT basket and to get the details for our next webinar!

Posted on

TOXIC BPA Still Found In Many Products, Legally!

Ever heard of BPA aka Bisphenol A/BPA? Of course you have! It used to be found in baby bottles and sippy cups, but thanks to a public awareness of the dangers, they have been removed from these particular products. Now, you can walk down the aisle at the store and see that they are all advertised as “BPA FREE.” It is no longer being used in baby bottles, which is a good start, but still not enough. What about the rest of us? BPA is still a toxic chemical attacking our systems.

BPA is prevalent in a wide variety of products that contain plastic that you use daily. BPA makes plastic more rigid. Because of this you can find it in items such as; reusable plastic plates, water bottles, plastic coffee cups, and plastic cooking utensils. Just to name a few. It is most commonly found in the lining of food and beverage containers in stores, where it has plenty of time to sit on the shelf and let all those chemicals really sink in. Yuck! Keeping them in the trunk of your car, exposed to heat, is a sure fire way to imbibe BPA directly.

BPA is an endocrine disruptor that mimics natural hormones. It can affect reproductive development and reproductive health. Studies have shown it linked to low testosterone and even male reproductive problems. In girls, BPA has been known for causing early puberty. Can you imagine that this chemical is being used in baby products?! Do your own search at home, right now and you will probably find multiple products containing BPA in your cabinet. We urge you to remove them immediately and tell your friends and family.

ENTER TO WIN our free Basket of Eco-Friendly, kid and pet safe products! Text: BASKET to 480-707-3859 today! Also, get an invite to our upcoming webinar exposing more hidden household dangers.

Posted on

Think Butter Flavored PopCorn Is Healthy? Think Again…

So many people reach for popcorn as their go to healthy snack. In fact, most people use microwaveable popcorn because of the convenience factor. Most microwaveable popcorn is “butter flavored”. Herein lies the problem. A chemical called diacetyl is used in the artificially made butter flavoring.

Diacetyl is linked to an extremely severe lung disease sometimes referred to as “popcorn lung.” It became known when thousands of workers became affected by it due to prolonged exposure to the chemical in the plant. Companies knew that their product was causing this medical complication and yet they still did not make any efforts of stopping production. Finally, after a long fight, and an actual disease named after the harmful DIACETYL chemical, it started to get phased out from the major pop corn makers.

They found a way to make the popcorn safer. We should be happy right? WRONG! The replacement they found is called 2.3 PENTANEDIONE. We weren’t shocked to find out that this chemical also started making buyers develop breathing problems. Unfortunately even after what was discovered about this new and “safer” version of BPA it is still used in many butter-flavored products. Popcorn is not the only product you need to be worried about, butter cookies and anything containing this artificial flavored butter also runs the risk of having DIACETYL in it. If you have buttered popcorn in your home right now, make sure to read the label! Do yourself a favor, make yours from scratch, melt real butter and spray it on with a BPA free spray bottle!

ENTER TO WIN our free Basket of Eco-Friendly, kid and pet safe products! Text: BASKET to 480-707-3859 today! Also, get an invite to our upcoming webinar exposing more hidden household dangers.

Posted on

Widespread Chemical – Phthalates Cause Extreme Reproductive Issues

Phthalates, which are pronounced “thalates” are widespread in many soft plastic products such as toys, hairspray, lubricants, fragrance and perfumes to name a few. You can even find them in your medications. The worst thing, is that phthalates will probably not even be listened on the list of ingredients. As the are one of my parts included in the word “fragrance”. In addition, toys do not have ingredient lists, so no one knows which toys contain phthalates.

Unfortunately, these “invisible” phthalates are in hundreds, if not thousands of products that we use on a daily basis. Why are these phthalates so bad for us? Well, studies have shown that men’s reproductive system is quite sensitive to phthalates, particularly when they are exposed in the womb. Some phthalates produce extreme male genital defects and others have noted reductions in semen production.

All of these conditions are from women being exposed to phthalates while pregnant. Phthalates exposure has been linked to breast cancer and testicular cancer in men and has also been linked to neurological and behavioral difficulties. Some other studies have linked phthalates to obesity and a diabetic risk. As of 2009, California has banned the use of phthalates in childrens’ toys and childcare articles. It is illegal to sell, manufacture, or distribute these items.

When choosing to purchase plastics, choose plastics with recycling codes of 1, 2, and/or 5. When purchasing cosmetic-type items, since phthalates won’t be on an ingredient list, select a brand that prides itself on using phthalates-free ingredients. These companies typically add this labeling to their packages.

ENTER TO WIN our free Basket of Eco-Friendly, kid and pet safe products! Text: BASKET to 480-707-3859 today! Also, get an invite to our upcoming webinar exposing more hidden household dangers.