Today, we're diving into the topic of creating a low-toxin home in order to support our hormone health. Many store bought cleaning products such as soaps, laundry detergents, floor cleaners, and disinfectants contain chemicals that are classified as endocrine disruptors or carcinogens. It's crucial to be aware of the toxins lurking in our everyday cleaning and home products, as many of them are known to cause damage and harm to our reproductive systems and overall health. While these measures can protect us from endocrine disruptors, it should also be said swapping out our cleaning products for less toxic products also helps keep our pets, children, and our whole family safe.

In this article, we'll shed light on some common culprits, such as floor cleaners, soaps, disinfecting sprays, and even tap water, which may contain known hormone disruptors. Let's delve into the details and explore how we can make safer choices for our hormones.

Understanding Hormone Disruptors

Our bodies rely on a delicate balance of hormones for proper functioning. Hormone disruptors, also known as endocrine disruptors, are chemicals that can interfere with this balance and potentially harm our reproductive health. These disruptors can be found in various household products, leading to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and other health concerns. They often alter our estrogen balance- which can lead to too much estrogen in the body which has been linked to certain conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, infertility, and ovarian cysts.

The Hidden Toxins in Floor Cleaners

Swiffer floor cleaners have gained popularity for their ease and convenience. However, swiffer wet jets and other popular floor cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to our hormone health. Ingredients like synthetic fragrances, phthalates, and preservatives are common culprits. Instead, consider switching to natural alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, or plant-based floor cleaners that are free from hormone-disrupting chemicals. I use a floor steamer in my home which creates steam that becomes so hot it actually has antibacterial properties. Here is the floor steamer I have used in my home for over a year and it works great. I love that I can also use it to clean fabrics or carpet stains as well and that I only need the good antibacterial power of steam- no toxins at all. If you still have a swiffer and don’t want to part with it- you can actually pop the lid off the liquid tank and fill it with your own. Heres a YouTube video on how you can pop the top off easily and quickly so that you can replace it with your own cleaning solution. Not only will you be able to use a safer cleaner, but you will also most likely save some money! When I used a swiffer wet jet, I would refill mine with citrasolv and I always loved the fresh and clean citrus smell. Be aware that this is highly concentrated and you’ll need to mix it with water- so you’ll only need a small amount for each clean!

Unveiling the Truth about Soaps

Did you know that certain soaps, including hand soaps and dishwashing liquids, can contain hormone disruptors? Some of the ingredients to watch out for include triclosan, parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances. Triclosan is in a lot of disinfectants hand soaps and has been classified as an endocrine disruptor as it not only interfered with estrogen, but also androgens (testosterone) and even our thyroid health. Opt for fragrance-free, plant-based soaps that use gentle and safe ingredients. You can even explore making your own DIY soaps using natural ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter. For dishwasher detergents, I recommend avoiding ones with phosphates, chlorine, triclosan, DEA/MEA, formaldehyde and synthetic dyes. A good option is branch basics, Blueland fragrance free dishwasher detergent, or Aspen Clean dishwasher detergent- these brands are all EWG verified as well.

Disinfecting Sprays and Their Dark Secrets

In our quest for a clean and germ-free home, we often reach for disinfecting sprays without realizing the potential harm they may cause. Many conventional disinfectants contain chemicals such as quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) and phenols, which can disrupt hormonal balance. Consider using natural alternatives like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or essential oils to disinfect your home effectively and safely. I personally use a vinegar and water mix at my home. I fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% white organic distilled vinegar. If I need to clean my sink, I always let the vinegar sit for a while and also add baking soda as a good scrubbing agent. Vinegar is all natural, safe, effective and has antibacterial properties. It does not eliminate 99.9% of bacteria- but it much safer than harsh and harmful disinfectants.

What’s in our Laundry Detergents?

There are several ingredients to be wary of that are commonly found in store bought laundry detergents. These include SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), phosphates, formaldehyde, Dioxane, Ammonium Sulfate, Bleach, as well as artificial fragrance. Some great brands for laundry detergent include Branch Basics, Fragrance free Tru Earth, Aspen Clean, or Attitude Nature.

Tackling Tap Water Contamination

Tap water can contain trace amounts of hormone disruptors, such as chlorine, fluoride, and various pollutants such as PFAS- known as forever chemicals. It can even contain estrogen from birth control pills in our water supply. Each cities water is different- but you can search ewg.org’s tapwater database to get the full lowdown of what’s in your city’s water supply. Investing in a water filter that removes these contaminants can significantly reduce your exposure. I love clearly filtered’s water filter and I personally use their 3 stage under the sink filter as well as their filtered water bottle for traveling or when I go places without filtered water. AquaTru is another water filter company known to be superior at filtering harmful chemicals and producing great tasting water.

If you have questions about the safety of particular products- try searching it on ewg.org or search here for cleaning products that have been verified by the EWG (environmental working group).

By taking steps to create a low-tox home, we can safeguard our hormone health and overall well-being. Pay attention to the ingredients in your cleaning and home products, such as floor cleaners, soaps, laundry detergents, disinfecting sprays, and tap water. Opt for natural alternatives and trusted brands whenever possible, and consider DIY solutions that not only help save you money but are also safer options. Let's prioritize our health by creating a sanctuary free from hormone disruptors within our own homes.

If you are local to Longmont and wanting to use acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition to jumpstart your hormone health and support your fertility- reach out through my website to book a New Patient Appointment. I’d love to work with you to help you achieve your health goals.

Have questions? or a brand you love that I haven’t mentioned? I’d love to hear them. Comment below!