You’ve switched to eating healthier and exercising regularly, but have you thought about the risks of using chemical cleaning products at home? Most store-bought cleaners are packed with harmful chemicals, not just the obvious ones like drain and oven cleaners, but even surface cleaners and air fresheners.

Experts report that the average household contains around 62 toxic chemicals. We’re exposed to these regularly, from the synthetic fragrances in air fresheners to the fumes in oven cleaners. These ingredients have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive issues, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity.

Indoor Air Pollution
Using chemical cleaners can make the air in your home two to five times more polluted than the air outside. The chemicals in these products contribute to indoor air pollution, causing health issues like dizziness, headaches, fatigue, asthma, and allergies.

Long-Term Health Problems
Short-term exposure to toxic cleaners can cause skin burns and headaches, but long-term exposure is even more concerning. Manufacturers claim that small amounts of these chemicals are safe, but regular exposure adds to the body’s “toxic burden,” which can eventually lead to disease.

Environmental Harm
Household cleaning chemicals also harm the environment. When released into the air or poured down the drain, they contribute to air and water pollution, affecting both indoor and outdoor environments. These chemicals can harm aquatic life, contaminate drinking water, contribute to climate change, and damage ecosystems.

Risks to Unborn Babies and Children
Experts worry that many chemicals in cleaning products can be carcinogenic or disrupt hormones, with the most severe impact on developing brains. The brain develops rapidly during the nine months of pregnancy, making it particularly vulnerable. Once born, children are still at risk from household cleaning poisons. Every day, 300 children are treated or die from exposure to these chemicals. Even if we keep cleaners out of their reach, using them around the home still puts kids at risk. Natural cleaners are a safer, equally effective alternative.

How to Make an Easy Lemon Disinfectant Cleaner
Lemon juice is a fantastic natural cleaner due to its low pH and antibacterial properties. Plus, it smells great and won’t damage materials like fabric or wood. Combine lemon juice with alcohol for an inexpensive, powerful cleaner.

Ingredients:
– 5-6 fresh lemons
– Vodka
– Glass jar with lid
– Spray bottle

Instructions:
1. Peel the rinds off the lemons, avoiding the white pith. Save the lemons for cooking or other cleaning tasks.
2. Add the peels to a glass jar and fill it with vodka. Cover and let it sit in a cool, dry place for four weeks.
3. Strain the mixture into a spray bottle and use it to clean.

Other Ways to Use Lemons for Cleaning:
– Clean discolored brass, copper, or chrome with a half lemon and salt.
– Kill bacteria on cutting boards with diluted lemon juice.
– Remove stains with full-strength lemon juice.
– Clean grout with lemon juice and an old toothbrush.
– Deodorize plastic food containers with diluted lemon juice and baking soda.
– Freshen your fridge with a half lemon on a saucer.
– Remove grease stains from clothing with lemon juice.
– Eliminate mineral build-up in kettles and coffee pots by boiling lemon slices in them, then letting the mixture sit before rinsing.

By switching to natural cleaners like lemon juice, you can protect your health, your family’s health, and the environment.