† Ask Dr. Helen's Healthy Living Shownotes †

Helen Pensanti, M.D.

"Purify your Home without Poisons Chemicals "

Cleaning with Non-Toxic Products

We need to very aware of toxins that are all around us, even in common household items.

Chronic toxicity can cause:
- Cancer
- Genetic damage
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Lung problems

What is chronic toxicity?

Chronic toxicity can be defined as repeated exposure to small amounts of a chemical over a long period of time. It can show up after years of use. One 15 year study showed that women who worked at home had a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who had jobs away from home.

TOXINS ENTER THE BODY and STAY IN THE BODY
ESPECIALLY IN THE FAT TISSUE.

The top toxic ingredients in cleaning products are aerosol propellants, benzene, ethanol, formaldehyde, kerosene, nitrobenzene, phenol, and sodium lauryl sulfate, which is found in shampoos.

What should you do?

Look for products that do not have a warning label or are labeled non-toxic. There are many cleaning products available in natural food stores, and some supermarkets.

Simple non-toxic ingredients that can be used in cleaning are:

Natural Alternatives

- Air Freshener - To make your own you can combine baking soda and zeolite, plus a few drops of any essential oil to a pump spray bottle of water.

- Basin, Tub or Tile Cleaners - Baking soda or Bon Ami.

- All Purpose Cleaner - mix 1 teaspoon of liquid soap into one quart of warm or hot water. Add ½ teaspoon of vinegar or lemon which cuts grease.

- Disinfectants - plain vinegar is best and works great!

- Drain cleaner - ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide poured down the drain will loosen the clog. Then use a plunger to unclog most sinks.

- Furniture and Floor Polish - use a soft cloth to apply a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice or mayonnaise. Rub until absorbed.

- Glass Cleaner - mix vinegar and water in equal amounts.

- Mold and Mildew Cleaner - most of the problem with mold is the condition in which it grows. Mold likes to grow in dark, damp and cold places. So keep your rooms bright, dry and warm and most of your problems will disappear. If you still have a problem, use portable heaters or a hair dryer to dry the mold then brush it away.

- Oven Cleaner - 2 T. liquid soap, 2 tsp. Borax and warm water. Leave on for 20 minutes, scrub with steel wool and Bon Ami. For stubborn spots, you can use a pumice stone which is available at most hardware stores.

- Scouring powder - baking soda or Bon Ami.

- Spot Remover - club soda is the best natural spot remover. If the stain doesn’t come out immediately, it should after it goes through the laundry.

If you do decide to use a product with known hazards, use a small amount, dilute it, use only occasionally, and wear gloves or even a respiratory mask.

A good book on the subject is titled “Clean and Green, the Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housecleaning: 485 Ways to Clean, Disinfect, and Deodorize.”

Wishing you Better Health, Naturally,

Helen Pensanti, M.D.