Natural Alternatives to Harmful Chemicals
As harmful chemicals are typically found in everything from our food to our cleaning products, it’s easy to think they are unavoidable. However, did you know there are some great natural alternatives you can use?
If you’re looking to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals, below you’ll discover some great natural alternatives to consider.
Stainless steel cookware
Most homes take advantage of the convenience of non-stick cookware. However, did you know it can give off toxic gases when being used?
Brands such as Teflon, use Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is what gives the cookware its non-stick properties. However, studies have shown that when heated to high temperatures, toxic gases are released. This can lead to problems such as production issues and potentially even cancer. Instead, it’s best to use stainless steel cookware. If you can’t live without your non-stick cookware however, it’s best to cook with them over lower temperatures.
Use glass, rather than plastic bottles
Plastic water bottles tend to be the go-to option. However, they can also contain numerous harmful chemicals such as BPA. These can leak through into the water, then absorb into the body when you drink from them.
Instead of using plastic bottles, aim to switch to glass bottles instead. These don’t contain harmful chemicals and they are reusable which means they are also better for the environment too.
Natural cleaning products
Cleaning products are a huge source of harmful chemicals. However, did you know you can now purchase natural cleaning solutions?
There are more natural cleaning solutions out there than ever before. When you consider traditional chemical cleaners contain bleach and ammonia, it’s worth looking into natural alternatives. The fumes released from cleaning products can lead to respiratory issues and they are also extremely dangerous for children.
There are lots of natural alternatives you can try. As well as pre-mixed natural solutions, you can also choose to make your own. Vinegar, baking powder and lemon juice are the main natural ingredients used in alternative cleaning solutions. Take a look online and you’ll find lots of natural cleaning product recipes to try out.
Natural insect repellents
As the weather warms up, all kinds of bugs can start to invade the home. Ants, wasps and flies are common pests that we typically tend to kill off with insect repellent.
Insect repellents are known to contain harmful chemicals. This is why they often have instructions to spray them, leave the room for a set time period, and then air the room out afterwards. They may be effective, but they could seriously harm your health.
Like natural cleaning solutions, you’ll also find lots of recipes online for natural insect repellents. Did you know for example, lemon juice and vinegar can be off putting to certain insects? Simply do an online search for natural insect repellents, followed by the pest you’re having trouble with, and it will show you the best natural products to use.
Flowers instead of air freshener
If you like to keep the home smelling fresh, it’s common to use cans of air freshener. However, these too contain harmful toxins which can build up in the home.
Instead of using air freshener, there are plenty of natural alternatives you can try. Fresh flowers are a great option. Not only do they smell divine, but they also help to brighten up the home. There may be a lot of harmful toxins found in traditional products, but there is also a lot of natural alternatives out there. The above are just some of the natural alternatives to harmful chemicals you can start using today. It’s also worth looking into natural based cosmetics and baby products too.
