It’s no longer a secret that the household products we typically buy at supermarkets or discount stores are, for the most part, corrosive, irritating, and harmful to our health, our children’s health, and the environment. Not to mention the risks of household accidents related to the ingestion of hazardous products such as bleach or caustic substances. The various lockdowns have also contributed to an increase in accidents caused by exposure to various irritants in France, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused sales of disinfectant cleaning products to skyrocket.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Our Homes
The use of these cleaning products also affects air quality. This is because common household products contain volatile substances (known as VOCs). Did you know that indoor air is 5 to 7 times more polluted than outdoor air? This is due to the buildup of these organic compounds, which are also found in paint, new furniture, and cooking fumes.
A study by the ADEME shows that 91% of the household products analyzed emit formaldehyde, a substance recognized as carcinogenic by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). Unfortunately, identifying undesirable substances is a complex task. The ingredient lists on product labels are difficult to decipher, and the names of hazardous ingredients are largely unknown to the general public. Similarly, manufacturers are very creative when it comes to convincing consumers that their products are safe, highlighting terms such as “natural,” “gentle,” or similar concepts in their advertisements.
Devastating Effects on Young People's Health
What consumer groups such as UFC-QUE CHOSIR fear most is the “cocktail effect.” In fact, the short- and medium-term effects of mixtures of these chemical components on our health and that of children are currently unknown.
After cleaning the house, these chemicals end up in domestic wastewater. They then cause not only air pollution but also water and soil pollution, which is disastrous for the environment and, above all, for the health of our children, our land, our rivers, and our oceans.
Those who can do more can do less…
However, when it comes to disinfecting, cleaning, and polishing, there are plenty of natural products that don’t contain endocrine disruptors or chemicals. If you take the time to learn about eco-friendly cleaning, you’ll realize that it’s easy to make your own environmentally friendly household products. Plus, becoming an eco-friendly homemaker can save you a lot of money over the course of a year.
In fact, the fewer ingredients used in making household products, the better the indoor air quality will be. With just 4 or 5 basic ingredients—such as baking soda, Marseille soap, white vinegar, or a bottle of essential oils—and a few good basic recipes, you can make your own laundry detergent, dish soap, window cleaner, and floor cleaner for your entire home. These products can be easily purchased (and in bulk if you wish) at most health food stores or organic supermarkets. So say goodbye to bleach, phosphates, and terpenes, and try the recipes we suggest below.
Ultimately, to do a thorough cleaning and simplify our lives as much as possible, all we have to do is follow our grandmothers’ example: less is always more…
Making homemade laundry soap is a piece of cake
Do you dream of an effective detergent that also leaves your clothes with a subtle scent? Here's a recipe from the book "Labo zéro conso," published by Eyrolles.
Ingredients (for a 2-liter can)
- 15 drops of an essential oil of your choice (lavender, lavandin, tea tree, etc.)
- 50 grams of grated Marseille soap (or, preferably, shavings of olive oil Marseille soap)
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1,750 ml of water.
Bring the water to a boil. In a large metal or glass container, gently mix the boiling water with the soap shavings and baking soda. Then let it cool (the mixture will set).
Next, mix everything together with a hand mixer and pour the detergent into an empty container. Add a few drops of essential oil, close the lid, and shake the detergent for a few seconds. Use one small glass of this homemade detergent for a full load of laundry. Shake the mixture before each use.
White clay stone—the all-purpose cleaner!
A genuine cleaning product that degreases, polishes, and adds shine. The clay stone can be used on all surfaces for an easy, 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 possible—and so easy!
Drying time: 2 days
Ingredients for a 35 cl jar
- 100 g of white clay,
- 50 g of black soap,
- 50 g of sodium bicarbonate,
- 35 drops of lemon or tea tree oil,
- 60 g of water.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until a thick paste forms. Pour the paste into a glass jar with a lid, close it tightly, and let it set at room temperature for about 2 days. The mixture will thicken and dry out a little.
To use the clay stone, simply lather it up a little with a sponge or damp cloth and apply it to the surface you want to clean. When you're done, you can rinse the surface with water and then wipe it down with a dry cloth if necessary.
Note: Clay stones can be used to clean bathtubs, tiles, plastic garden furniture, and metals such as silver, stainless steel, and all faucets. With a brush, you can even use it to clean the soles of your sneakers!