Does your child suffer from allergies? If they do they’re one of the 40% of American children with allergies. In fact, allergies are on the rise and are thought to be one of the top five chronic illnesses that affect people of all ages. There are many things that can cause allergies, from dust mites, pollen and certain foods. I’m allergic to dust mites, ragweed, and the specific mold that arises after a rain. Fun, huh?
Children in particular can be sensitive to the chemicals that are in some of the cleaning products we use every day. According to research, on average children spend around 90% of their time indoors, so it’s not surprising that they can get affected by any chemicals used in the home.
The actual cleaning product will probably not itself trigger an allergic reaction, but it can act as a strong irritant and creates the same symptoms as an allergy. Many of us buy the big brands without really thinking… It’s for sale so it must be safe, right? Not so much. Many products contain toxic ingredients, so it’s worth taking the time to check the ingredients list before buying.
If you or your child has allergies, here’s a helpful article which lists Cleaning Products to Avoid if you have Allergies. Here in our zoo we’ve switched to old-fashioned natural cleaning products: baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, etc. It’s good for our allergies and the environment!
What cleaning products do you regularly use in your home?