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Toxin-Free Living
Everything we put on our pets or in their environment can affect them, use natural products wherever possible.
Many well-known products used around our homes today can be very toxic. Here is a guide of household products to consider changing.
Every change you make in your life will make a difference.
Don't try and move an entire mountain, simply take a pebble at a time. Otherwise, it can be difficult, stressful, expensive, and time consuming if trying to switch everything at once, and may actually deter you from continuing to make changes, so I don't recommend it unless there is a health crisis where you absolutely have to change as soon as possible. For most cases, every little change adds up to one big change.
Pick a category, start there and then move onto another. If you are looking for a place to start, I recommend starting with air fresheners because they are easy to get rid of (throw away!) and cleaning products as they contain some of the harshest chemicals on our health.
Below you will find my guide that I created for this section on items to switch over to safer, natural, and/or greener options for a better environment and thus better health.
Again, I want to include all the major areas in this lesson, but I don't want this to be overwhelming in any way. Please don't stress out over it, the last thing I would want for you is to despise switching over to natural options. If you look at one category, stop the lesson there, and come back later to start another, that is perfectly fine.
Every change you make in your life will make a difference.
Don't try and move an entire mountain, simply take a pebble at a time. Otherwise, it can be difficult, stressful, expensive, and time consuming if trying to switch everything at once, and may actually deter you from continuing to make changes, so I don't recommend it unless there is a health crisis where you absolutely have to change as soon as possible. For most cases, every little change adds up to one big change.
Pick a category, start there and then move onto another. If you are looking for a place to start, I recommend starting with air fresheners because they are easy to get rid of (throw away!) and cleaning products as they contain some of the harshest chemicals on our health.
Below you will find my guide that I created for this section on items to switch over to safer, natural, and/or greener options for a better environment and thus better health.
Again, I want to include all the major areas in this lesson, but I don't want this to be overwhelming in any way. Please don't stress out over it, the last thing I would want for you is to despise switching over to natural options. If you look at one category, stop the lesson there, and come back later to start another, that is perfectly fine.
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners contain hazardous chemicals that have been known to effect endocrine function and reproductive health, as well as being linked to allergies, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. I have personally found they can be a significant contributing factor in allergies, eye discharge (tear stains), and mucus production in pets. This includes air freshers that are marketed for pet owners... yikes! Toss any spray air fresheners, clothing deodorizers, plug ins, gels, twist containers, car ornaments, etc, especially if your pet is sufering from allergy type symptoms. Your body and your pet's body will thank you!
Natural Option Ideas:
• Diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils
• Create your own spray with essential oils: Get a glass 3-4oz bottle and fill with 2-3oz water, 1oz alcohol (optional - lasts longer), and some drops of your favorite essential oils. Give the bottle a shake and then spray.
• Young Living's Thieves 1 oz Spray
For further reading: https://www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
Cleaning Products
Most name brand well known cleaning products are very toxic. They can cause similar health effects as ar fresheners. If used on the floor or in your pet's crate, they are coming into direct contact with these products.... not good! Cleaning products have been linked to asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicities, burns, poisons, and more. In some cases where we have switched to raw and have seen great results in skin health, but not full resolution, we have switched to safer cleaning products and saw the rest heal up.
For more: http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health
Natural Option Ideas:
• Vinegar, baking soda, and/or lemon
• Young Living Thieves Cleaning Line
• Shaklee Cleaning Line (Basic H, Basic G, etc)
• Borax (toilets, tubs, floors)
• Natural furniture polish: 2 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice or a couple drops of lemon or orange essential oil
• Bon Ami (instead of Comet)
• Young Living, Nature Clean, Lifetree, Seventh Generation, or Ecover dishwashing liquids
• Nature Clean or Ecover automatic dishwashing detergent
• Stuck on food on pots/pans: sprinkle with salt and soak in cool water
Laundry
Many people don't realize how toxic laundry detergents are and we're putting the fabrics washed with them up close to our skin all day. Pets spend a good amount of time sleeping on these fabrics too, whether a dog bed, blanket, bedding, or towel.
For more: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/21/are-you-slowly-killing-your-family-with-hidden-dioxane-in-your-laundry-detergent.aspx
Natural Option Ideas:
• Make your own: 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1 bar shaved soap (bronner's, kirk's castille, ivory, zote). I have also saved an old plastic cat litter container and upped this to 1 box borax, 1 box washing soda, 1 box baking soda, and 3 bars shaved soap. This lasted me about 6-8 months. If you'd like a natural frangrance, add some drops of essential oil. This recipe cleans very well. 1 tablespoon per load and I also had a dash of white vinegar for natural softener.
• Young Living's Thieves Laundry Detergent
• Country Save, Earthrite, Ecover, or Seventh Generation laundry detergent
• Natural Bleaching: Country Save non-chlorine bleach (Sodium Perborate)
• If you must use brand name: All-Free, Cheer-Free, or Tide-Free which are better than most, but do still contain petrochemicals
Pet Shampoos and Conditioners
Shampoos and conditioners can also contain harmful ingredients. The FDA does not regulate the ingredients that companies can put into personal care products, so most out their do contain hazardous chemicals that affect health.
Natural Option Ideas:
• Organic Oscar (My personal fav. They have a great aloe based shampoo and conditioner, if your dog is itchy too.)
• Young Living's Animal Scents
• Earth Bath
• Dr. Mercola Organic Shampoo
• Mineral Spa
• Buddy Wash
• Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby Castile Liquid Soap
• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar works well as a rinse (50% ACV/50% water) - avoid eyes
Candles
Many well known candles, such as Yankee, are highly toxic. If I have a client who brings in a dog who is presenting allergies that began in the winter time, it is usually because the owners are lighting candles and there is little air flow to get the toxins in the air out since windows are shut.
Natural Option Ideas:
• Diffuse essential oils
• Soy or beeswax based candles scented with essential oils
• Faux candles
Fragrances
Most perfumes and colognes are toxic. They can cause allergies, asthma, endocrine dysfunction, and more. If you need to wear a fragrance, choose a natural option. I personally use Young Living essential oils.
My favorites, used as a drop on my wrists, neck, or upper sternal area:
• Stress away
• A blend of ylang ylang, bergomont, and orange
• Valor
• Abundance
• Shutran (for men)
Many of the top of the line perfumes and colognes that cost several hundred dollars use essential oils. Why not make it yourself? Try googling perfume and cologne essential oil recipes. They are very easy to make.
Here is a pdf of recipes: http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/50+-Essential-Oil-Blends.pdf
Here are some men's cologne recipes: http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/feel-rugged-smell-amazing-diy-natural-mens-cologne-using-essential-oils/
If you would like to find an all natural perfume or cologne brand, here is a list of some available: http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/organic-beauty/12-companies-make-luxurious-all-natural-perfumes/#slide-top
Water
Filtering water for your pets is just as important as filtering water for yourself. Some people opt for whole house filtration systems. That I will leave up to you to check out. For pitcher based systems, there aren't many that also filter out fluoride which is harmful to health. Check out the options that include flurodide filtration below:
• Seychelle
• Berkey
Air fresheners contain hazardous chemicals that have been known to effect endocrine function and reproductive health, as well as being linked to allergies, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. I have personally found they can be a significant contributing factor in allergies, eye discharge (tear stains), and mucus production in pets. This includes air freshers that are marketed for pet owners... yikes! Toss any spray air fresheners, clothing deodorizers, plug ins, gels, twist containers, car ornaments, etc, especially if your pet is sufering from allergy type symptoms. Your body and your pet's body will thank you!
Natural Option Ideas:
• Diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils
• Create your own spray with essential oils: Get a glass 3-4oz bottle and fill with 2-3oz water, 1oz alcohol (optional - lasts longer), and some drops of your favorite essential oils. Give the bottle a shake and then spray.
• Young Living's Thieves 1 oz Spray
For further reading: https://www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
Cleaning Products
Most name brand well known cleaning products are very toxic. They can cause similar health effects as ar fresheners. If used on the floor or in your pet's crate, they are coming into direct contact with these products.... not good! Cleaning products have been linked to asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicities, burns, poisons, and more. In some cases where we have switched to raw and have seen great results in skin health, but not full resolution, we have switched to safer cleaning products and saw the rest heal up.
For more: http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health
Natural Option Ideas:
• Vinegar, baking soda, and/or lemon
• Young Living Thieves Cleaning Line
• Shaklee Cleaning Line (Basic H, Basic G, etc)
• Borax (toilets, tubs, floors)
• Natural furniture polish: 2 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice or a couple drops of lemon or orange essential oil
• Bon Ami (instead of Comet)
• Young Living, Nature Clean, Lifetree, Seventh Generation, or Ecover dishwashing liquids
• Nature Clean or Ecover automatic dishwashing detergent
• Stuck on food on pots/pans: sprinkle with salt and soak in cool water
Laundry
Many people don't realize how toxic laundry detergents are and we're putting the fabrics washed with them up close to our skin all day. Pets spend a good amount of time sleeping on these fabrics too, whether a dog bed, blanket, bedding, or towel.
For more: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/21/are-you-slowly-killing-your-family-with-hidden-dioxane-in-your-laundry-detergent.aspx
Natural Option Ideas:
• Make your own: 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1 bar shaved soap (bronner's, kirk's castille, ivory, zote). I have also saved an old plastic cat litter container and upped this to 1 box borax, 1 box washing soda, 1 box baking soda, and 3 bars shaved soap. This lasted me about 6-8 months. If you'd like a natural frangrance, add some drops of essential oil. This recipe cleans very well. 1 tablespoon per load and I also had a dash of white vinegar for natural softener.
• Young Living's Thieves Laundry Detergent
• Country Save, Earthrite, Ecover, or Seventh Generation laundry detergent
• Natural Bleaching: Country Save non-chlorine bleach (Sodium Perborate)
• If you must use brand name: All-Free, Cheer-Free, or Tide-Free which are better than most, but do still contain petrochemicals
Pet Shampoos and Conditioners
Shampoos and conditioners can also contain harmful ingredients. The FDA does not regulate the ingredients that companies can put into personal care products, so most out their do contain hazardous chemicals that affect health.
Natural Option Ideas:
• Organic Oscar (My personal fav. They have a great aloe based shampoo and conditioner, if your dog is itchy too.)
• Young Living's Animal Scents
• Earth Bath
• Dr. Mercola Organic Shampoo
• Mineral Spa
• Buddy Wash
• Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby Castile Liquid Soap
• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar works well as a rinse (50% ACV/50% water) - avoid eyes
Candles
Many well known candles, such as Yankee, are highly toxic. If I have a client who brings in a dog who is presenting allergies that began in the winter time, it is usually because the owners are lighting candles and there is little air flow to get the toxins in the air out since windows are shut.
Natural Option Ideas:
• Diffuse essential oils
• Soy or beeswax based candles scented with essential oils
• Faux candles
Fragrances
Most perfumes and colognes are toxic. They can cause allergies, asthma, endocrine dysfunction, and more. If you need to wear a fragrance, choose a natural option. I personally use Young Living essential oils.
My favorites, used as a drop on my wrists, neck, or upper sternal area:
• Stress away
• A blend of ylang ylang, bergomont, and orange
• Valor
• Abundance
• Shutran (for men)
Many of the top of the line perfumes and colognes that cost several hundred dollars use essential oils. Why not make it yourself? Try googling perfume and cologne essential oil recipes. They are very easy to make.
Here is a pdf of recipes: http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/50+-Essential-Oil-Blends.pdf
Here are some men's cologne recipes: http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/feel-rugged-smell-amazing-diy-natural-mens-cologne-using-essential-oils/
If you would like to find an all natural perfume or cologne brand, here is a list of some available: http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/organic-beauty/12-companies-make-luxurious-all-natural-perfumes/#slide-top
Water
Filtering water for your pets is just as important as filtering water for yourself. Some people opt for whole house filtration systems. That I will leave up to you to check out. For pitcher based systems, there aren't many that also filter out fluoride which is harmful to health. Check out the options that include flurodide filtration below:
• Seychelle
• Berkey
DIY Eliminating Weeds
Roundup and other standard weed killers are extremely toxic to our pets who potty and play out in the yard. If you do your lawn care yourself, this is what I have found works well:
Pre-emergent weed control (corn gluten-if you use this, I recommend putting under weed mats as dogs may think it is food and will get sick from corn):
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/granulated-wow-pre-emergent-weed-control/weed-control
Weed mats:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/weed-barrier-mat/weed-control (you can also find at most hardware stores)
If getting weed mats, you will also need wire pins to keep them in place:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/u-shaped-pins
Iron-X Selective Weed Killer:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/iron-x-selective-weed-killer-for-lawns/weed-control
Weed-Aside Herbicidal Soap:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/weed-aside-trade-herbicidal-soap/weed-control
Moss-Aside Moss Killer:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/moss-aside-trade-moss-killer-1/weed-control
All of the above products are linked to Garden's Alive. They usually send out coupon codes through email, so if you plan on ordering, you may want to get on their list ahead of time to save some money.
I mainly use these products in landscaped areas. I don't mind a weed or two growing in my lawn. I'd rather see that than a perfect lawn as it takes a chemical ambush in order to knock out all other plant life besides grass. Your pet's health will be much better walking on a natural lawn vs a lawn filled with harsh chemicals. Kids too-if you have any!
Roundup and other standard weed killers are extremely toxic to our pets who potty and play out in the yard. If you do your lawn care yourself, this is what I have found works well:
Pre-emergent weed control (corn gluten-if you use this, I recommend putting under weed mats as dogs may think it is food and will get sick from corn):
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/granulated-wow-pre-emergent-weed-control/weed-control
Weed mats:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/weed-barrier-mat/weed-control (you can also find at most hardware stores)
If getting weed mats, you will also need wire pins to keep them in place:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/u-shaped-pins
Iron-X Selective Weed Killer:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/iron-x-selective-weed-killer-for-lawns/weed-control
Weed-Aside Herbicidal Soap:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/weed-aside-trade-herbicidal-soap/weed-control
Moss-Aside Moss Killer:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/moss-aside-trade-moss-killer-1/weed-control
All of the above products are linked to Garden's Alive. They usually send out coupon codes through email, so if you plan on ordering, you may want to get on their list ahead of time to save some money.
I mainly use these products in landscaped areas. I don't mind a weed or two growing in my lawn. I'd rather see that than a perfect lawn as it takes a chemical ambush in order to knock out all other plant life besides grass. Your pet's health will be much better walking on a natural lawn vs a lawn filled with harsh chemicals. Kids too-if you have any!
Lawn Treatments
The chemicals used in lawn treatments are harsh and our pets come in contact with them everytime they go outside, walking, laying, playing in the grass. Some dogs get contact dermatitis from chemically treated grass. They also can get sick if they lick the chemicals off their paws, which many dogs due to relieve any irritation. Opt for natural lawn treatment methods. There are many organic and natural fertilizers and lawn treatments available and your lawn will actually become healthier and hardier from implementing natural methods.
• TruGreen lawn service offers TruNatural
• You may have a local natural lawn service company nearby
Since people in this membership area are from all over, here are some helpful articles:
http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/natural-lawn-care-techniques/5065.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/g541/organic-lawn-care-tips-47071704/
http://www.planetnatural.com/organic-lawn-care-101/
http://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/lawn-landscape/lawn-fertilizer/
The chemicals used in lawn treatments are harsh and our pets come in contact with them everytime they go outside, walking, laying, playing in the grass. Some dogs get contact dermatitis from chemically treated grass. They also can get sick if they lick the chemicals off their paws, which many dogs due to relieve any irritation. Opt for natural lawn treatment methods. There are many organic and natural fertilizers and lawn treatments available and your lawn will actually become healthier and hardier from implementing natural methods.
• TruGreen lawn service offers TruNatural
• You may have a local natural lawn service company nearby
Since people in this membership area are from all over, here are some helpful articles:
http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/natural-lawn-care-techniques/5065.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/g541/organic-lawn-care-tips-47071704/
http://www.planetnatural.com/organic-lawn-care-101/
http://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/lawn-landscape/lawn-fertilizer/
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