It's no longer a secret that most household products we buy at the supermarket or at discount stores are corrosive and irritating and harm our health, our children’s health, and the environment. Not to mention the risk of household accidents caused by ingesting dangerous products such as bleach or corrosive substances. Incidentally, the various lockdowns have contributed to a rise in the number of accidents caused by exposure to multiple irritants in France, as the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted sales of disinfectant cleaners skyrocketed.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Our Homes
The use of this type of cleaning product also affects the air quality. This is because common household products contain volatile substances (so-called VOCs). Did you know that, on average, indoor air is 5 to 7 times more polluted than outdoor air? This is due to the accumulation of these organic compounds, which are also found in paint, new furniture, and cooking fumes.
A study by the ADEMEshows that 91% of the household products tested emit formaldehyde, a substance that, according to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), is recognized as a carcinogen. Unfortunately, identifying unwanted substances is a complex task. The list of ingredients that make up consumer products is difficult to decipher , and the names of the hazardous ingredients are largely unknown. Likewise, manufacturers go to great lengths to convince consumers of the safety of their products by using terms such as "natural," "gentle," or similar terms in their advertisements.
Devastating Effects on Adolescents' Health
What consumer groups like UFC-QUE CHOSIR fear most is the "cocktail effect." In fact, we don’t yet know what the short- and medium-term effects these mixtures of chemical components will have on our health and that of our youngest children.
After cleaning the house, these chemical substances end up in the domestic wastewater. They then cause pollution not only in the air but also in the water and soil, which is disastrous for the environment and, in particular, for the health of our children, our country, our rivers, and our oceans.
Those who can do the most can do the least...
However, there is a wide variety of natural products for disinfecting, cleaning, and polishing that contain neither endocrine disruptors nor chemicals. If you take the time to explore green cleaning, you’ll find that it’s quite easy to make your own eco-friendly household products. If you’re interested in a green household , you can save a lot of money!
Because the fewer ingredients you use in your household products, the better the quality of the indoor air! With four or five basic ingredients such as baking soda, curd soap, white vinegar, or a bottle of essential oils—along with a few good basic recipes—you can already make laundry detergent, dish soap, window cleaner, or clean all the floors in your home. These products are easy to find (and, if you prefer, available in bulk) at most organic stores or supermarkets. So say goodbye to bleach, phosphates, and terpenes, and try out the recipes suggested below!
In short: To tackle big household chores, just follow our grandmothers’ example and make your life as simple as possible: Less is always more...
Homemade Laundry Detergent—It's a Breeze!
Do you dream of a laundry detergent that’s effective and subtly scents your laundry at the same time? Here’s a recipe from the book "Zero-Consumption Lab", published by Eyrolles.
Ingredients (for a 2-liter container):
15 drops of essential oil of your choice (Aspik lavender, lavandin, tea tree...)
50 grams of grated curd soap (or curd soap shavings, preferably made with olive oil)
2 tablespoons of baking soda
1,750 ml of water
Bring the water to a boil. In a large metal or glass bowl, gently mix the boiling water with the soap flakes and baking soda. Let it cool (the mixture will harden).
Then blend the mixture with an immersion blender and pour the laundry detergent into an empty container. Add a few drops of essential oil, close the lid, and shake the detergent for a few seconds. Use a small glass of this homemade laundry detergent for a full load of laundry. Shake the container before each use.
White clay—the all-purpose cleaner!
As a true cleaning product that degreases, polishes, and adds shine, the clay brick can be used on all surfaces to help you maintain a simple, minimalist, and eco-friendly home. No, this isn’t just another marketing gimmick—you’ll see that cleaning and scrubbing everything with a single natural product is entirely possible and so easy!
Drying time: 2 days
Ingredients for a 35-cl pot
100 g white clay
50 g black soap
50 g baking soda
35 drops of lemon or tea tree oil
60 g water
Mix all the ingredients in a suitable bowl until a thick paste forms. Transfer the paste to a glass jar with a lid, seal it airtight, and let it set at room temperature for about two days. The mixture will thicken and dry out slightly.
To apply the clay bar, simply work it into a lather with a damp sponge or cloth, then apply it to the surface you want to clean. Afterward, you can rinse the surface with water and, if necessary, wipe it down with a dry cloth.
Note: You can use the clay bar to clean bathtubs, tiles, grout in your bathroom, plastic patio furniture, as well as metals such as silver, stainless steel, and all fixtures. With the help of a brush, you can even use it to clean the soles of your sneakers!