going chemical free

[Xine]

Over the last few months I have been doing a bit of research on elimination of as many chemicals from our lives as we can. To be honest, my mind is boggling. I would really appreiate some input from people who have done this.

I am planning on doing it gradually for both time and budget reasons so...where is the best place to start. And then what are the most important changes to make? What are the nastier chemicals that may be around and where am I going to find nasties that I might not be aware of?

We do already have quite a few chemical free practices in place but I'd appreciate some start from basics advice in case Ive missed anything.

[lcorteen]

Hi Christine

I am by no means an expert, but some things we have done to get rid of some nasty chemicals (cos there are some I love... like oxygen! ) are:

I make as much as I can from scratch and we don't buy any food items that are powdery unless we know they are free from aluminium (it is used as an anti caking agent in many foods, but is not always listed as an ingredient as the amount is small enough to qualify for not needing to be listed). E.g. icing sugar, felafel mix, baking powder, taco seasoning... so we make our own instead. Luckily I have a great food processor that mills things, so I can make all sorts of flours and any other things I need for cooking and I know exactly what's in them - not to mention it's cheaper!

We also used to make our own cleaning products - I think the book that I got the recipes from is called 'clean house, clean planet'. It is fantastic... I got it from the library.

I also make sure I don't burn any petroleum based candles (most are). Um... don't use flyspray, make our own garden fertilisers, flytraps etc.

We don't dryclean anything - drycleaning fluid is carcinogenic as are the fumes.

Use organic hair & body care, but I haven't done much research on this because of course organic products can still contain nasties, just less likely to I reckon

Umm..... that's all I can think of... but good on you! Looking forward to hearing what you do

xx Louise

[naturalmamma]

Hi,

I am a huge believer in removing as many chemicals from our lives as possible, not only to benefit our health but for the environment. Most are just mot needed. I have been researching the nasties for about 4 years now and am continually horrified at what I learn.

I don't use any chemicals for cleaning and it saves me heaps of money. Good old vinegar and bicarb do the trick. I also use lots of aromatherapy oils for disinfectant properties, like teatree and eucalyptus.

But the most alarming of all of my research is the chemicals in personal care products, especially for our kids!!!! When you type these chemicals onto google and look at the health risks associated with them, you will be horrified. Sorry I could go on and on about this, I am so passionate about it.(so disgusted that the government allows the use of these chemicals)

Anyway for my family I only use products that do not contain any nasties. We have found a company called Naturally Divine which makes most of what we need. They are very reasonable and in the long run I believe by going green it actually saves money.

If I can help you with any questions I am only glad to.

[Kristin]

Hi,
I have just started eliminating harmful chemicals in my personal use products. Have a look in your bathroom and see on the ingredients list. Eliminate anything with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Paraben. These are two additives that are found in almost everything in the bathroom. These two chemicals can mimic estrogen so you need to be aware if you have the breast cancer gene and are in the high risk category. There are lots of different organic bathroom products that are free of these nasties. Google these two chemicals and you'll find lost of info.
I also use ENJO for all of my cleaning and good old bi-carb soda and vinegar when there are stubborn stains. I have also made my own laundry detergent but you just dont get the body odour smell out of this one.....maybe its just me!!
Anyway you'll be busy enough eliminating the two chemicals I mentioned before, its a good start.

Cheers,
Kristin

[Craig&Kel]

I would agree with what's been said, start with the personal care products. I was reading somewhere the other day (can't remember where) that there is VERY little regulation of what goes into these products.

Making your own detergents and washing powders is a really cheap and easy way to start. Borax, salt, bicarb, vinegar, and soap flakes will take care of most of the household cleaning (as well as some personal cleaning too!)

Maybe you could catalogue all the different types of products you use, and then sort them into bigger groups, like household cleaning, laundry, personal products, foods, etc. Then you could work on changing one thing at a time.

[Tatiana75]

We have been chemical free for 3 years. I use:

- house cleaning: ENJO products (ENJO Australia) - cloth and water (ie no detergent involved - logic is microfibre wipes away the germs rather than using chemicals or product which, even if natural, adds more residue)

- body/face/cosmetics: Miessence - almost all the ingredients are certified organic and the balance is natural. It took my hair about 6 months to respond to it but I persevered and now it leaves my hair like silk.

- food: certified organic. When I am out or at someone else's house I don't mind. But at home I insist on org chicken and meat products. And I get as much fruit and veg as I get my hands on but also insist on org broccoli, strawberry as more pesticides in those.

- baby: I wash DD in water only. She is one year old and have done so since birth. Her hair is silky and she doesn't smell! Also, I use fabric wipes with water, 7th Generation (chlorine free) nappies and wipes (for when we're out)

There is a little book called "The Chemical Maze SHopping Companion" by Bill Statham which lists all food additives and cosmetic ingredients and gives an explanation of what they are and a rating of which ones are and aren't harmful.

Going chemcial free really did my head in at the beginning. Weighing up this and that. What's necessary, what's not. At first I felt it was unfair that I should pay so much extra but now I consider the long term investment for my family's health as priceless.

Best wishes with it! It's well worth the ride.

[Tatiana75]

I forgot to mention that a cheaper alternative to Enjo is the Eenee's Eco Friendly Microfiber Superabsorbent Cloth Nappies (Packet of Six = $25.95) Eenee Eco Nappies Australia - Flushable Biodegradable Pads - Baby Organic Natural Body Care.

[lcorteen]

A cheaper alternative to enjo... as in, you can use them for cleaning cloths?
xx

[Tatiana75]

Yes! You can use the Eenee microfibre nappy as a cleaning cloth.

[Tatiana75]

It is still worth getting some of the Enjo products if you can. My favourites are the Floor Cleaner (and Dust Floor Fibre), Bathroom Glove (more abrasive) and Dust Glove. I use the Eenee nappy in place of the Enjo Miracle cloths. Having said that I've got the complete Enjo range and really love it but I can do quite a lot with the Eenee nappy if the others are on the washing line.