So many kids with Sensory Processing Disorders have extreme sensitivities to smells/odors.  Parents are shouting for help!  Their child can't eat lunch in the lunchroom at school without gagging, they can't cook certain foods in their own homes, their child can't use public restrooms without getting sick, they can't take their child to certain events due to the smells, going anywhere in public becomes a nightmare as their child is overwhelmed by the simplest of smells...and the list goes on.

One mom was having difficulty at home with cleaning supplies and the odors their child was so very sensitive to.  She needed answers quick.

The question was posed...
"Just wondering what some people use to clean home, do laundry, wash dishes."

Another mom found the answer:.. "Here is an article from a friend of mine - hope it helps:"

What are the risks of the commercial cleaning products you use in your home      and around your family? Are you familiar with the toxins in them?

Aside from having a negative impact on the environment, many toxins in these products are absorbed through the skin or through inhalation. What if you could easily and inexpensively clean your home the NON TOXIC way? Would you   choose to do so?


FIRST...SOME FACTS

Commercial cleaning products and their ingredients;

Complex phosphates chlorinated phosphates, morpholine, naphtha, Butyl cellusolve, sodium nitrate, stoddard solvent; these are common ingredients      found in all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, and glass cleaners.

Stoddard solvent, naphtha and very toxic materials such as morpholine are considered hazardous waste. Chlorinated materials can form organo-chlorine compounds which in turn are stored in fat cells and can enter mothers' milk.       Butyl cellusolve is highly toxic. Many of these ingredients are neurotoxins and central nervous system depressants which can cause headaches, lack of
concentration, confusion and symptoms of mental illness.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

THROW OUT THE TOXINS IN YOUR CABINETS - THERE ARE
BETTER WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR HOME.

Here are some products to purchase to help keep your home clean
AND safe;

ESSENTIAL OILS
BAKING SODA
WHITE VINEGAR
CASTILE SOAP
GSE (grapefruit seed extract) **


SAFE INGREDIENTS

Essential Oils are the volatile liquids derived from plants, trees, shrubs,       flowers, etc. They are the life force of the plants, much like blood is to us.          

Some of the qualities of Essential Oils are known to be:

Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-microbial, Anti-infectious, Antiseptic, Anti-parasitic, Anti-viral, etc.
 

Baking Soda is derived from a naturally occurring mineral left behind after the evaporation of an inland lake in Wyoming. The mineral is converted into sodium   bicarbonate - baking soda. It is a mild abrasive and    absorbs odors well.
 

White Vinegar is a food grade product that everyone probably already has in his or her cabinets. Vinegar cuts grease, inhibits mold growth, dissolves mineral accumulation and freshens the air.

Castille Soap is a mild liquid soap derived from olive oil.

**GSE or grapefruit seed extract is a product that is said to destroy over 800 varieties of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. There is a controversy over this product  as there are 2 studies that indicate the anti bacterial action is causes by a preservative. I personally am continuing to use this as my instinct tells me that    the studies were commissioned by someone with an agenda. There are dozens upon dozens of studies touting the proof of the anti viral, fungal and bacterial properties and none of the authors of these studies discovered any constituents in GSE that the 2 studies  mentioned above did.


CLEAN SOLUTIONS (TM)

Now some ways to use the above ingredients to help clean your home...naturally!

       MOPPING FLOORS: use the above ingredients in      a bucket of hot water!

       WINDOW CLEANER
1 Quart Spray Bottle
White Vinegar
10-15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

Fill bottle half way with Vinegar. Fill balance of bottle with water and add  Essential Oil. Shake and use.

**It may be advisable to clean windows/mirrors with alcohol first to eliminate build up from commercial window cleaners.


      

       AIR FRESHENER
Diffuse essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser or make room spritzers by filling a spritzer bottle with water and adding Essential Oils. Remember to shake well.


      

       OVEN CLEANER
It's easiest to care for your oven if you clean it regularly. Wet the tough spots with water, cover in baking soda and let sit for at least an hour. Scrub with a sponge and sponge rinse as well.


       ANTI BACTERIAL SOAP
Fill pump dispensers with Castille Soap, add GSE and EOs  (lavender, melaleuca to name 2).


More recipes to follow as I try/use them. Currently, we use some store bought natural cleaning products, as well.
 

                                        DishWashing liquid: Eco-ver
I tried all the natural brands and this is the one I liked the best. It lasts much longer than the other ones and does a good job cutting grease. For the soap filled scrubber I have, I usually put in half of the Eco-ver and half lavender castille soap.

DishWasher liquid: Mrs. Meyers (lavender is my fav right now).  Others brands work well but I found this lasts the longest.

     Laundry Soap: Earth Friendly Ecos

I have been using this laundry soap for well over 10 years now. I have allergies to most conventional laundry soaps and love that you can still have a nice, clean, fresh laundry smell with this. It also is concentrated and lasts a long while.
 

     Bleaching, Stains and Odors: OxiClean
This is one area where I don't have a lot of choices . I had grey, dingy whites before OxiClean came along. I prefer not to so use OxiClean. I haven't done extensive research on it but I'm sure it' s not "natural" in a way that I think is healthy for us or our planet. But right now, it's my   only option.

I've tried some laundry soap recipes without any luck but
haven't given up hope.

 

In the meantime, try http://www.care2.com for more recipes.

About the author:
Written by Lauren McGinley, AP mama to 2 spirited boys. Visit her
site: http://www.healthyparenting.net for more about attachment parenting,
alternative parenting, positive discipline, natural living, organic whole food
eating and holistic health.