How to Select Safe Cleaning Products for People with Autoimmune Diseases
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your cleaning routines, especially if you have specific health concerns. The safety and effectiveness of cleaning products can vary, and individual needs may differ.
Toxins are like uninvited party crashers – they’re everywhere, even in our cleaning sprays and sponges! It’s no surprise our immune systems sometimes throw a fit.
Got an autoimmune condition? Wondering which cleaning products for people with autoimmune diseases? Stick around! We’re diving into the world of clean, safe, and autoimmune-friendly products. Get ready for some sparkling tips!
Beware of Sneaky Irritants in Everyday Cleaners!
Guess what? Your everyday cleaners might be playing hide-and-seek with some not-so-nice irritating stuff. Yep, those shiny bottles on store shelves could be secret troublemakers, stirring up more than just dust. It’s no rocket science – these chemical culprits are making autoimmune troubles more common than reruns of your favorite sitcom.
Constantly rubbing elbows with these harsh cleaners might not just tickle your nose; they could be playing a sneaky game of tag with your health, nudging along allergies and even bigger health hiccups. Worst of all, they might be the sneaky villains behind your immune system’s bad days. So, let’s unmask these hidden foes!
Cleaning Your Home? Steer Clear of These Nasty Chemicals!
- Parabens – Common in cleaners and beauty items, these bad boys mess with hormones and might even play a role in cancer. Watch out for propylparaben, methylparaben, and butylparaben in everything from dish soap to all-purpose cleaners.
- Phthalates – Hiding in synthetic fragrances, these chemicals are no friend to your health. Found in products like dish soap and air fresheners, they’re linked to cancer and hormone issues.
- Ammonia – Often in window and bathroom cleaners, ammonia’s fumes can cause coughs, headaches, and even blood pressure spikes. Long-term exposure? Not good news for your autoimmune health.
- Chlorine – This sneaky element, found in bleach-based cleaners and even paper products, can harm your lungs, skin, and even thyroid health.
- Sulfates (SLS and SLES) – These lathering agents in detergents can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs. Watch out for SLES, which can contain cancer-linked chemicals.
- Triclosan – A pesticide in disguise, triclosan disrupts hormones and irritates skin. It’s in products like hand soap and toothpaste.
- Sodium Hydroxide – Danger alert! This chemical can burn skin and damage your nose, throat, and lungs. Found in oven and drain cleaners, it’s a serious no-go.
- Butoxyethanol – An air pollutant that can harm your throat, liver, and kidneys. It’s also linked to asthma and fertility issues. Common in kitchen cleaners and window sprays.
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS) – Used in fabric softeners and disinfectants, QUATS can irritate skin and cause breathing troubles.
- Perchloroethylene (PERC) – A neurotoxin found in dry-cleaning and carpet cleaning products. High exposure leads to a whirlwind of health issues, from dizziness to speech difficulties.
Household Cleaning Products That May Be Better for People with Autoimmune Diseases
Who knew you could whip up quality cleaners right in your kitchen? With everyday heroes like baking soda, vinegar, and a dash of lemon oil, your house can sparkle without the chemical warfare, provided you aren’t allergic to them.
But hey, we get it – DIY isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially when time’s a luxury. No worries, though! This doesn’t mean your only choices are either toxic cleaners or a dust bunny convention at your place. Far from it!
Start your detective work right on the product labels. Peek at the ingredients list for non-toxic treasures, especially crucial for those with autoimmune conditions.
Good news! Using these natural cleaners means waving goodbye to flare-ups. And guess what? The market’s buzzing with these goodies. Red Apple Lipstick did some snooping and found 8 cleaning products safe for autoimmune diseases.
1. The Concentrate from Branch Basics
Branch Basics offers one all-in-one multi-purpose concentrate that can replace all the toxic cleaning products in your home. Made with only 7 non-toxic plant and mineral-based ingredients, it is safe and gentle yet effective.
Depending on how it’s diluted with water, this Concentrate works as a multi-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, glass/window cleaner, laundry detergent, and foaming cleanser. Clean anything in the kitchen and bathroom, even clean floors and furniture. Wash your laundry and remove stubborn stains of all kinds.
Branch Basics has a great Starter-Kit that includes everything you need to keep your home clean without any chemical products.
2. Ecos Orange All-Purpose Cleaner
Ecos’ All-Purpose Cleaners use plant-powered ingredients to remove everyday dirt, grease, and grime from any water-safe surface. Their Orange one is powered by orange oil, which is one of nature’s toughest degreasers.
Ecos also offers some other great non-toxic cleaning products, including fragrance-free options. Just make sure you check the ingredient list as some do contain sodium hydroxide.
3. Truce Wood Cleaner
If you are looking for non-toxic natural products to clean your wood floors and wood furniture, Truce’s Wood Cleaner is the one for the job. Lightweight enough to be used as a dusting spray but tough enough for heavy-duty jobs to clean wood and laminate furniture, cabinets, and floors.
It can also be used on painted and stainless-steel surfaces, and it makes a great leather cleaner as well.
4. Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder
For clean clothes without any harmful chemicals, Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder offers a powerful deep clean that is truly safe. Made with just 5 natural ingredients, this powder can be used in standard, commercial, and HE washers.
5. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Soaps are good to clean just about anything in the household. Just dilute it with water according to what you want to use it for.
6. Common Good Dish Soap
Common Good offers a great plant-based formula dish soap that will leave your dishes sparkling clean without drying out your hands. This company in general offers some great non-toxic products.
7. Mrs. Meyers
Mrs. Meyers offers a great selection of cleaning products for the home. Most of them do contain fragrance, however. So, we recommend using gloves when using their products if your skin is highly sensitive.
8. P2 Probiotic Power
P2 Probiotic Power offers cleaning products made with probiotics to eliminate the source of germs, dirt and odors. They are supposed to be stronger than bleach and antibacterial products, yet safe and gentle for people, being more effective without having to kill bacteria.
I have not heard much about them before, but their logic in using probiotics makes a lot of sense and is worth trying. The ingredients they use are all-natural and organic, food-grade, as well as pH neutral.
You can find some of these and more nontoxic cleaning products on Grove Collaborative and Thrive Market.
Have you tried any of these cleaning products before? Are there any others you recommend? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can chemical exposure cause autoimmune disease?
Chemical exposure has been linked to autoimmune diseases, but the relationship is complex and not fully understood.
According to research, environmental toxins such as persistent organic pollutants, toxic metals, solvents, and endocrine disruptors can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible individuals. These chemicals can induce immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and other physiological changes that may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune conditions
For individuals concerned about chemical exposure and autoimmune diseases, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and to consider reducing exposure to known environmental toxins as a precautionary measure
Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8325494/
Do cleaning products affect your thyroid?
Cleaning products can potentially affect thyroid function due to the presence of certain chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can interfere with hormone regulation, which includes thyroid hormones.
Reference: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/spring-cleaning-and-your-thyroid/
Which chemicals are linked to autoimmune diseases?
Several chemicals have been linked to autoimmune diseases, as highlighted in the provided search results:
Heavy Metals: Mercury, lead, and arsenic are commonly associated with autoimmune diseases, particularly autoimmune thyroid conditions. These metals can be found in various environmental sources, including fish, dental fillings, old paint, and contaminated water.
Persistent Organic Pollutants: These include substances like dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are known to disrupt immune function and have been linked to autoimmunity.
Solvents: Chemicals such as trichloroethylene have been associated with autoimmune diseases like scleroderma and lupus. These solvents are often found in industrial settings.
Pesticides: Exposure to pesticides has been linked to autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. These chemicals are commonly used in agriculture and can be found in food and water sources.
Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which can mimic hormones in the body, have been suggested to contribute to autoimmune diseases by interfering with hormonal balance.
Silica and Asbestos: These materials have been linked to autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in occupational settings.
These chemicals can induce oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and other physiological changes that may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune conditions in genetically susceptible individuals. It is important to note that while these associations exist, the development of autoimmune diseases is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including genetics and environmental exposures.
Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8325494/
