In a family and daily approach which aims to reduce waste and the ecological footprint, there is no other choice than to consider household products.
Not only today is it possible to find a phenomenal variety of cleaning products in stores, each of which has a distinct use, but this variety is also accompanied by so many chemicals and container shapes.
Already, we can begin to ask ourselves a question: do we really need all the variety of products offered? Obviously, the answer is no!
Hazard symbols
You may also want to continue using the products offered but I would first draw your attention to the symbols. Health Canada makes available a reference manual for the Chemicals Regulations which can be relatively difficult to read! However, if one of these danger symbols is found on the container, you already have a strong indication of the toxicity of this product on your health and the health of the environment!
Synthetic perfumes
We will first avoid all products that have synthetic fragrances (good luck with the product from supermarkets!) which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which have a direct impact on health.
These are gases and vapors that contain carbon, such as gasoline vapors and solvents. The effects of VOCs vary greatly depending on the nature of the pollutant. They range from a certain olfactory annoyance to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, including various irritations and a reduction in respiratory capacity.
Dyes
It is artificial colorings , chemically produced, which are singled out and which are totally useless, if only to give us plenty of sight.
These dyes are often derived from petrochemicals and can be contaminated with traces of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead which are themselves toxic to the environment and to humans.
They can harm the nervous system and cause other adverse health effects when absorbed through the skin or ingested as residue.
Endless list of ingredients
Who said it takes an endless list of ingredients to wash a house? Several ingredients in household products have been studied and show that they are either irritants, allergens or they destroy all bacteria , even those that are essential to our immune system. Here is the list of the most common ingredients to avoid:
Hydrochloric acid - Oxalic acid - Sulfamic acid - Alkyl ethoxylates - Enzisothiazo-linone - Butoxyethanol - Benzalkonium chloride: Didecylmethyl-ammonium chloride - Ethanolamine - Ethoxydiglycol (DEGEE) - Hydrogen peroxide - Lyral (or hydroxyisohexyl 3 cyclohexene carboxaldehyde) - Hypochlorite soda- Sodium hydroxide- Lodopropynylbutyl carbamate- Sodium metaperiodate- Methylchloroisothiazolinone- Methylisothiazolinone-Phenoxyetahnol
Then, a minimalist and ecological approach will certainly reduce the number of ingredients. We are talking here about baking soda , household vinegar, black soap or Marseille soap and citric acid . With these ingredients, you are good to make almost everything at home.
Ecologically yours,
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