This is not so much informational as it is a plea to consider something:
So many of us don’t know the truth about common cleaning supplies–they are highly dangerous to our health. I went to Publix yesterday and walked past an area where they had cleaned with bleach recently and I had a bad reaction that lasted the rest of the day (throat closing up, lung inflammation and pain, trouble breathing, headaches, nerve symptoms all over the body, swelling, low blood pressure). It was scary. Rob was out of town and I was afraid to stay alone with the children in case I passed out or something like that. I prayed and without me calling anyone the Lord provided a friend who was able to walk with me (helps my body fight the reaction) and stay with me until I started to feel better. I really appreciated this evidence of God’s love for me. I had been thinking of going over to a friend’s house but knowing that He sent someone to me instead felt like a hug from God.
We would all do well to avoid these chemicals, and for the sake of those of us who are extra sensitive to them, I am asking you to consider changing your cleaning supplies to safer ones.
Other problem products are any products for home or body with synthetic fragrances. These and the cleaning chemicals are highly toxic and cause some of us to have life threatening reactions. The plug-in air fresheners and air sprays are really bad. For the sake of your family and the people around you, please consider avoiding these. You never know what stranger or new person at church might be really sensitive to the shampoo or deodorant you use. Out of Christian love and for our own health we would do very well to give up these things for safer alternatives (there are alternatives for everything). Some of us have to literally avoid friends’ houses, or being with them if they have fabric softener on their clothes, have just showered and used perfumed shampoos, lotions, etc. And some of us cannot even go to church anymore (I am in that situation currently–partly because we are in a newly remodeled building with newish carpet).
I have a friend who tried to join a small country church. She was poisoned by a pesticide a long time ago and still has a very low tolerance for chemicals. They make her very sick. When she explained the situation to these people they were not at all sympathetic and they refused to stop wearing their perfumes to church. When I knew her, it was before I started having bad reactions to chemicals. But knowing her and wanting to be able to spend time with her made me realize that it was worth giving up the fragrances and other things that I had been using. And even after we moved away I maintained that because I thought, “You never know who might also be sensitive to these things.” And now I am myself and I am so thankful for the friends I have who have gone out of their way to change their cleaning and body products so that we can be together.
We have been deceived by the manufacturing companies that we need all the antibacterial cleaners and fancy smelling products to make our homes clean and fresh. It simply isn’t true. Plain soap and water works just as well, without the toxins. All you have to do is loosen bacteria and rinse them down the drain–you don’t have to kill them. I do not use these things and we do not ever get sick from our home. Whenever we get sick it is because we have caught something from a friend. I can always trace it back. Antibacterial products just produce antibacterial resistant bacteria. If you want to make your home smell nice, you can use the natural products on the market such as a pure citrus spray. As long as you are not allergic to the plant used these are great. Some essential oils products are very strong and should also be used sparingly.
Thank you for considering this. Here is some info on cleaning supplies to get you started. And body care products. And info on specific brands.
