5 Easy Ways to Detoxify Your Bathroom

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Last month we gave you some helpful tips on how to keep your kitchen chemical-free. This month, we venture into the bathroom. Not only are some cleaning products toxic, but many shampoos, lotions and soaps are also more harmful than they look.

Here are five simple steps you can take to detoxify your bathroom.

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Soap Is In. Antibacterial Cleaners Are Out.

The word “antibacterial” is everywhere, from our soap to socks to kitchenware. Typically, these antibacterial cleaners are unnecessary and many contain triclosan, a chemical that is harmful to our health and the environment, including aquatic life. When it comes to clean hands, a good (eco-friendly) soap and some water will do the trick. If you need a tool to keep the germs away, wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.

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Ditch White Toilet Paper

Strolling down the toilet paper aisle, you’re likely to head straight to the stacks of bright white rolls. What you may not know is toilet paper gets that shiny look from being bleached. The chlorine used in the bleaching process produces harmful chemicals that end up in our air and water. Not to mention that if every home in the U.S. replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper with 100 percent recycled paper, we could save 423,900 trees. That’s a hefty difference.

Next time you’re at the store, look for products labeled totally chlorine-free (TCF) or processed chlorine-free (PCF)—it’s better in the long run.

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Buy Safe Cosmetics

Ever thought about what goes into your deodorant, shampoo, nail polish and lipstick? They contain more harmful chemicals than you think. Here are a few toxins you should definitely know about.

1. Formaldehyde: Often used in nail polishes, shampoos, and liquid body soaps, this carcinogen can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and is potentially linked to cancer.

2. Parabens: Mimicking estrogen, parabens are absorbed through the skin and have been found to disrupt hormone function. They are found in some creams, lotions, ointments, and other cosmetics, including underarm deodorants. They are also linked to cancer.

3. Phthalates: Often included in nail polish, detergents and fragrances, phthalate exposure has been linked to early puberty in girls. They are known as hormone disrupters and reproductive toxins.

So what’s a girl to do? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database to investigate what’s in your beauty products. They rate each product based on its level of toxicity, and you may be surprised by what you find. Also, while you’re shopping for new products, make sure to check the label for harmful chemicals, and look out for the word “fragrance,” which is a word used to mask hidden hazards. If you need some help finding natural products that aren’t full of toxins, here’s a list of green alternatives.

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Make Your Own Green Cleaning Products

Using green cleaning products will earn you karma points with Mother Earth. Vinegar and baking soda are two useful “green” products that can power through all your cleaning needs; mix in a little warm water with either, and you’ve got an all-purpose cleaner. Borox also works as a disinfectant that is milder than bleach, so try combining borax, white vinegar, and hot water for a disinfectant solution (recipe found here).

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Take the Chemicals Out of Your Toothpaste

That foaming action you get from brushing your teeth? This comes from sodium laureth sulfate, an immune-suppressing chemical that is linked to cancer. Not only is it commonly found in most major toothpaste brands, but it’s also an ingredient in many beauty products, such as shampoos or cleansers. And, if you need any more convincing that it’s not the friendliest of chemicals, it’s used to de-grease car engines at the auto shop. So we recommend looking for “green” toothpastes, with natural ingredients, for your gum-cleaning and tooth-scrubbing needs.