Tag Archives: Chemicals

Is Your Sofa Safe?

I often worry about the chemicals I use in my house.  I worry about what exactly is in the air freshener I use.  I freak out when my husband buys a Teflon skillet. But, I just read that another real threat in my house may be my sofa. My sofa?  A threat?  Yes. Since 1975, California has required that all furniture with foam such as sofas and baby products such as car seats be treated with flame retardant chemicals.  That standard, maybe because California is so large a state, became the standard for most other states. The problem is while … Continue reading →

Cleaning With Baking Soda

Do you have baking soda in the pantry? Do you use it only for baking? Well, bring it out of the pantry because it can do so much more than just make cakes rise. Baking soda is one of my favorite cleaning products, it has so many uses, is inexpensive and best of all, it’s kind to the environment. The next time you reach for a chemical laden cleaner try baking soda, you will be amazed at what it can do! Some of my favorite uses: • Baking soda is a gentle scrubber, you can even use it on glass … Continue reading →

Stay Away from BPA

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We already know that BPA is dangerous. It has been linked to fertility problems, cancer, and sexual dysfunction in men, among other defects. There has been a big push to remove BPA from the plastics that we come in contact with every day. If you walk through the baby aisle, you’ll notice that most of the bottles are in packaging boldly marked, “BPA Free.” Many people have switched to using aluminum water bottles as a precaution as well. We know BPA is dangerous, and we have taken steps to protect ourselves and our families, but now we know more about … Continue reading →

Accidental Poisoning: Common Culprits

An accidental poisoning can be a life or death situation. Knowing the symptoms of poisoning can help you get treatment quickly… but knowing the most common household hazards can help you prevent the situation entirely. A poison is any substance that disrupts the normal function of the body. Poison can be eaten or drunk, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Keep your local poison control center phone number handy! Put a copy of that number (and other emergency numbers) in your first aid kit AND post an emergency phone list by your house phone. You don’t want to have … Continue reading →

Chemicals and Babies Don’t Mix

I really, really try not to be a neurotic parent. But when it comes to the chemical soup that exists in many of our homes, I draw the line. I vote for good, old-fashioned dirt. And since my family seems to create a lot of it, I think that I’m winning that battle. Seriously, though, I am a little bit afraid of the impacts of many chemicals on my child’s short-term and long-term health. When that child is a baby, with a tiny body mass and a less-developed system, I get even more careful. You want a safe home, you … Continue reading →

Is Your Green Thumb Harming Your Preschooler?

Mommy, mommy, how does your garden grow? If you are one of the millions of parents around the world, who uses gardening as a means of escaping from the stress associated with raising young human beings, then you might want to brace yourself for some disturbing news: A new study found that children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had a significantly greater likelihood of exposure to household pesticides compared with a control group. Translation: Parents of preschoolers, who use pesticides on their grass, in their gardens and around the house have a greater chance of developing cancer. According to the … Continue reading →

Is Your Beauty Routine Filled with Chemicals?

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When thinking about living green, you may not think about stuff like cosmetics. I know I’ve never thought to check the label of my deodorant, toothpaste, soap, and makeup, but after reading about some of the things that are in there, I have decided to start reading closely. I read a statistic online that said that we could be exposing ourselves to 200 or more toxins when just getting ready for the day. What are some hidden toxins you want to avoid in your cosmetic routine? If you suffer from dandruff, you may want to read the label of your … Continue reading →