I find that many people seem to believe that they need to use harsh cleaners in order to get an optimal result in their cleaning routine. These cleaners with bleach, harsh chemicals and pungent odors are not only toxic to the environment we live in, but also dangerous to inhale. Winter is an especially precarious time because the windows are all closed, restricting fresh air flow through our homes.
Cleaning ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. Some are hazardous with complications such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.
“Kills bacteria!” the labels say. I, for one am not such a murderer, though. Sure, we want to disinfect surfaces where we cut raw chicken; and yes, the toilet bowl does require a certain level of sanitizing. But not everything needs to have antibacterial properties. They don’t just target bad bacteria. They target all bacteria. Antibacterial soaps and cleaners may actually contribute to the development of new strains of bacteria that are more resistant to antibacterial agents. According to Method’s blog, “Any cleaning product that claims to disinfect or kill germs or bacteria contains a registered pesticide. These products are what cause indoor air to have 5-10 times as many pesticides as the outside. Avoid these products to avoid bringing these pesticides into your home.” My pets walk on these floors, their bowls are washed with dish soap , their crates are cleaned with cleaners and their blankets are washed with detergent. Pesticides are the last thing I want anywhere near them!
Method is an environmentally conscious company – from their 100% recycled plastic bottles to their constantly reduced carbon footprint. They never test on animals, nor do they use animal derived ingredients in their products. Their entire cleaning line is both people and pet friendly. And, using these items is a happy experience. ..They’re fragranced with the delicious aromas of grapefruit, lavender, eucalyptus, basil and other fresh and healthy scents that let you breathe easily while keeping a sparkling clean home. Seasonally, they come out with new scents and let me tell you…the ones they sent to me recently to try and review are amazing.
First is their new gel hand wash in white nectarine. My skin was soft and clean, and smelled like a fresh and summery, without that dry feeling afterward that harsh hand soap generally leaves. It’s naturally derived and biodegradable. And the bottle design by Orla Kiely looks adorable next to my sink. What’s even cooler is that there is a list of ingredients for this hand soap on their website which explains their purpose. This would make a wonderful hostess gift!
Second is their new dish soap in tomato vine. I just about did back flips when I heard that the newest scent was going to be tomato vine. If you garden, you know there is no scent in the world that smells as good as the aroma that surrounds you when you’re working with your tomato plants. This scent crisp, it’s green and it’s a scent that brings me right back to my August garden – in February! There’s not much more that screams earthy than tomato vine dish soap. And, it comes in recycled plastic bottles with a design I loved so much, I put my plain-bottled dish soap away. I wanted it to be out during a party I was having, because it looked so cute next to my sink. I loved how it performed, too. Rinsed clean without leaving a trace of soap behind. I will be looking for the all-purpose cleaner in tomato vine on my next shopping trip!
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