If you've been following along in my journey to a "greener" lifestyle, and attempts at reducing my carbon footprint, you'll know that I've also been actively working on eliminating the harsh chemicals of my cleaning routine and using products that are environmentally friendly. But the truth is, as I began my research, I had more questions than answers!! What is “natural” cleaning? What does it mean that a product is “green?” But most importantly – where can I find products that fulfill this requirement?
It's not easy being “GREEN”
My first stop on my tour to understand “green” is understanding the variety of symbols that appear on natural products. One symbol that stood out was EWG. Since 1993, the Environmental Working Group is one of the best resources for American consumers when it comes to choosing better products for their health and their homes. Through EWG I learned that it’s time to reduce the toxic chemicals in the goods we purchase. Looking for items that are EWG verified makes it so easy!
It's not easy being “CLEAN”
What are the ingredients of common cleansers that we chose to avoid? With an abundance of allergies in my family, added fragrances were our priority to avoid. Instinctively, we knew that bleach and ammonia are toxic chemicals, and we would keep our distance, but would that mean we could find non-toxic cleaning products and are there specific additives we should pay attention to?
A little digging revealed that the most common additives in household cleaning products are parabens, triclosan, and phthalates. Unfortunately, these are common allergens. The good news? USDA-certified organic products are processed according to federal guidelines addressing, natural physical, or biologically based farming methods. Certified organic products will not contain those ingredients!
Soaps like Whole Naturals Castile Soap are Vegan free, USDA Organic Certified, and EWG verified - that takes it to a whole new level! Ethical, biodegradable, and unscented means that it's good for you, and good for the environment!
Am I Truly Saving the Environment?
Yes! Chemicals from household cleaners end up in water sources and can contribute to polluting streams and rivers. Organic soaps, like Castile Soap, are biodegradable, which means they will not stay active in the environment long after it's disposed of.
So what are the takeaways?
When used properly, natural cleansers made with plant-based ingredients can be just as effective as chemical cleansers
Read the labels on your cleaning products to get a better understanding of exactly what you’re using on your counters and surfaces
Check for products that include ingredient lists that YOU CAN READ!!
Try our Castile Soap! Not only is it versatile and can be used in every corner of your home, it can also be used as a full-body shampoo and soap!