Is your soap making you sick?

Over at the Healthy Holistic Living blog Michelle shared some VERY important details about the risks of using 'antibacterial' soaps including the concern about the Triclosan that these type of soaps use as a main ingredient. David Suzuki list's it on the 10 most dangerous chemicals to avoid using. You can read more about Tricolsan here and see what the Environmental Working Group has to say about it here.

For me in my move to take back my own health while ensuring that I am also providing a chemical free home for which my home childcare charges to spend their day have moved towards seeking cleaning options that promote 'chemical free' options. I use a combination of ENJO cleaning clothes and products which use the power of their fibres and just water to give surfaces a deep clean that removes all dirty and bacteria without the use of smelly chemicals combined with the benefits of essential oils and their cleansing and aromatherapy properties to give us that 'fresh clean smell' when we need it. 

It is reading articles like these over the years that has helped me to make that change for myself, my family and the children who are our future and need the best start forward we can give them!

"Although it has become a staple of millions of households across the country, the widespread use of antibacterial soap can cause more harm in the long run, especially for your family’s health and the environment.

I understand the temptation and allure of antibacterial soap. You want your home to be free absolutely of bacteria so your family will not be exposed to any illnesses. This is an illusion, because antibacterial soap can cause more harm than good.

The main problem is that the widespread use of antibacterial soap can make certain strains of bacteria even more resilient to not only the antibacterial soap, but also to prescribed antibiotics as well.

Additionally, antibacterial soaps can also cause more damage to your child’s immune system instead of protecting it. Why? Because a developing immune system needs to flex its muscles by fighting relatively harmless bacteria.

In other words, a developing immune system is only weakened by antibacterial soap.

Unfortunately, this type of soap has become so ingrained into our homes and culture that we’ve become completely blind to the dangers it brings into home and environment.

It’s so dangerous that it was banned in Minnesota.  It’s true last year Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a measure banning the antibacterial chemical triclosan from all products sold in the state.

So before you even consider buying some antibacterial soap, please be aware of the following problems it presents.

The Dangers of Antibacterial Soap

1. It Doesn’t Protect Your Against Illness

It’s a common misconception to think antibacterial soap will help you avoid illnesses and keep you healthy. It’s in the name, right? Antibacterial should protect you.

Wrong. The common cold and flu are viral in nature, rendering the antibacterial properties of these soaps useless. Don’t fall for the ads; killing germs won’t keep you healthy.

2. It’s Anti-Environment

Triclosan, an ingredient in most antibacterial brands, not only has unforeseen side effects in the human body; it has a hazardous effect in the environment via our aqueducts. It’s even been banned in Minnesota.

With millions using antibacterial soap on daily basis, the water they use to rinse becomes saturated with triclosan. The problem is that most of our water treatment plants cannot filter out triclosan.

With this pesticide leaking into our streams and lakes, algae growth is disrupted. This in turn unbalances nature’s carefully choreographed life cycle.

3. It Only Strengthens Bacteria

There’s a reason antibiotics are prescribed by your physician instead of being over the counter products at your pharmacy. Ubiquitous use of antibiotics only leads to the creation of super bacteria that has survived the strongest doses.

The same principle applies to widespread use of antibacterial soap. By gradually enabling bacteria to build up resilience, we’ll create a public health hazard. Soon, we’ll see a superbug that will resist medication.

4. It Kills the Good Bacteria

Killing 99.9% of all germs and bacteria is the main selling point of these brands, right? Well, it also kills 99.9% of the healthy bacteria that prevents the growth of potentially dangerous bacterial infections.

It also indiscriminately kills the bacteria your immune system uses to build up its resilience to new dangerous bacteria.

5. It Causes Hormonal Imbalance

Triclosan, that common ingredient discussed before, also has been linked to causing disruptions in your endocrine system.

Your ability to release hormones like testosterone and estrogen will gradually weaken, leading to some health complications.

Next time you’re at the supermarket, make sure you avoid these toxic soaps. I also recommend using castile soap as the perfect replacement."

For our hand soap we LOVE the OnGuard hand soap in a foaming dispenser ~ smells amazing and the natural essential oils and it is quick and easy to refill the containers. However sometimes for variety we also like to DIY our own version using the following recipe from DoTerra

DIY Essential Oil Hand Soap

What You Need:

• 2 tablespoons liquid unscented castile soap 
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops of essential oil of choice 
• Foaming Hand soap pump

What You Do:

• Pour the castile soap and fractionated oil into the bottle
• Add Essential oils
• Slowly add water ~ make sure to leave enough room for the pump dispenser
• Add lid, gently shake and you are ready to go.
• 1-2 pumps is plenty to clean your hands.

A few of our favorite 'oil' combinations for hand soap are peppermint and Tea Tree oil, lavender and peppermint, the OnGuard on its own, Lemongrass on its own or with a combo of peppermint.

You can also DIY your own laundry soap to get amazing clean laundry without the use of harsh chemicals! 

Ange from over at Hol Fit has this amazing recipe

2 tablespoons liquid castile soap (unscented)
1 tablespoon Fractionated Coconut oil
10 drops essential oils of choice
Note: We used five drops of Peppermint and five drops of Melaleuca essential oil.
water
Directions:
1. Pour castile soap and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bottle.
- See more at: http://doterrablog.com/diy-foaming-hand-soap/#sthash.Xxg9AOKT.dpuf

2 tablespoons liquid castile soap (unscented)
1 tablespoon Fractionated Coconut oil
10 drops essential oils of choice
Note: We used five drops of Peppermint and five drops of Melaleuca essential oil.
water
Directions:
1. Pour castile soap and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bottle.
- See more at: http://doterrablog.com/diy-foaming-hand-soap/#sthash.Xxg9AOKT.dpuf

DIY Laundry Detergent

So easy to make. Use between 1/4c - 1/2c per load as you would normally use liquid detergent in your machine depending on if you have a front loader or top loader. 

Ange even gives this amazing cost break down to help you compare 'ready made' verses 'DIY' so not only chemical free but you can make it at a FRACTION of the cost of the ready made options ... I am so looking forward to all the things I can do with the savings.

Cost Breakdown:

• 1c Castile Soap = $3.75 {based on Dr. Bronners $15/32oz}
• 1c Baking Soda = $0.31
• 1/3c Sea Salt = $0.50
• 20 drops of doTERRA essential oil = $1.60
• TOTAL = $6.16 for about 60 loads

To Compare Costs:

• Tide Free + Gentle costs at least $12 to do the same amount of loads. So being that the average home does 350 loads/yr you would end up purchasing about 6 jugs of Tide {$72}. Making your own with this recipe would cost you $37/year.
• Other cleaner companies with products:
 - Norwex costs about $30 for 40 loads
 - doTERRA has a liquid OnGuard laundry detergent that costs $35 for 64 loads {I keep this on back-up} I also love their OnGuard Cleaning Concentrate for stains.

Last Laundry Tip

If your home is anything like mine on the 'busy factor' than it is not uncommon that a load of laundry gets left behind in the wash machine a little too long and gets that 'funky wet smell' happening ... love the little Cure for Laundry Neglect solution. I just put a couple drops onto a cloth and than toss it into the dry with the clothes ~ cannot wait to get my new DoTerra dryer balls next month than I can use those! 

Have an amazing day!

Margaret

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Totallyawake4-life