Produce Spotlight: Garlic
Innocent sounding ingredients on a label ‘perfume’, ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’, are really just the nicer sounding equivalent of ‘unlisted nasty chemicals’. Unlisted because they don’t have to be. The scent of a product is considered to be proprietary info. The ingredients in those smells don’t have to undergo any sort of regulation.
Many people have sensitivities to these chemicals, and while they can avoid them within the confines of their own homes, it can become problematic in public. You’ve probably never noticed that the perfume counter in department stores is always right by the mall entrance- until you have to avoid it. You’ve probably never had to move tables in a restaurant because the individual at the table next to you overdosed on their eau de toilette trying to impress their date. This is a reality for an estimated 20% of the population.
In an effort to reduce ones environmental exposure to unnecessary toxins, lots of people choose the unscented varieties of their favorite products. But not everything comes with that choice (or maybe you don’t like the unscented brands you have found). Those struggling to de-stink their lives must find a way around the tricky ones. Here are a few easy substitutions:
- all purpose cleaner: four different ones, actually!
- carpet cleaner: the deep down, steam cleaning kind
- conditioner (hair): a fantastic alternative!
- deodorant: try making your own
- dishwasher soap: for handwashing dishes too
- drain cleaner: I’ve done this for years, just make sure to put the kettle on first!
- dryer sheets: use 1/2 cup white vinegar in the wash instead
- face mask: this one sounds yummy!
- hair mask: brown bananas- not just for baking anymore!
- kleenex: another alternative
- laundry soap: Dr. Bronners is a great choice for any sudsy needs I might add!
- linen spray: for febreeze addicts…
- oven cleaner: I’ve done this, it works!
- shampoo: consider this alternative
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