Chemical Sensitivity Archives

April 22, 2011September 10, 2014

When Green Cleaning Products Aren’t Green

Happy Earth Day!

People talk so much these days about going “green”. They look for ways to do more with less, to preserve natural resources, and cut dependence on petrochemical based products. If you have had any experience with green cleaning products, you know that you can pay a premium price for a product that doesn’t work so well as the conventional product.

Sometimes, even if the green cleaning product works, it might not be so green after all. I know I am not the only one that has picked up a bottle of one of the major brands of “green” all purpose cleaners (you know the generation) thinking I am using the best cleaner with the least minimal impact and ingredients. But, have you ever actually read the list of ingredients on these cleaners? Here is the ingredients in one all purpose cleaner:

Aqua (water), lauryl polyglucose, decyl glucoside and lauramine oxide (plant-derived cleaning agents), sodium gluconate (water softener), sodium carbonate (mineral-derived alkalinity builder), methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone (preservatives).

Wow! Talk about a mouthful! If you can’t say it….don’t use it!

I compared it to the list of ingredients in EnviroRite Multi Purpose Cleaner. What a difference! The Multi Purpose Cleaner only has 4 ingredients listed. I can pronounce all of them. How does, water, palm kernel based surfactants, and vegetable-based glycerine sound for simple? No preservatives and the last ingredient has the most complicated name “naturally derived alkaline builders” that adjust the pH.

This Earth day, keep it simple, keep it truly green, and keep it clean! Use green cleaning products that are actually green!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store
1-800-771-2246

March 10, 2011October 16, 2014

Portable Steam Cleaner From Vapamore

We just added the Vapamore MR-100 portable steam cleaner to our product line-up. For awhile we have been looking at various portable steam cleaner models. After using the MR-100 to clean everything from the bathroom tile, windows, grout, Jeep wheels and a mattress we decided it meets our quality standards.

Remember.. We won’t sell something we don’t use. We decided we like to use the Vapamore portable steam cleaner because it is easy and effective.

We found using steam easily melts away the dirt and grime, while removing germs and bacteria from the surfaces that you’re cleaning. It is an economical and green thing to do.

When you clean with steam, there is no need to use harsh and toxic chemicals. We were thrilled to find out that steam kills dust mites and bed bugs too!

Check it out.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause
Allergystore.com

800-771-2246

January 28, 2011September 19, 2014

Formaldehyde in Beauty Cream?

During the winter months, dry skin is a common problem. Women, men, young, and old all can suffer from dry, flaky or even cracked skin. So, we reach for creams and lotions to ease the stiffness and redness and add some moisture. But exactly what are you rubbing on your skin (the largest organ in your body)? Whether it is one of the older name brands like Jergens or Vaseline or the expensive department store beauty brand like Clinique or even the brands that are dermatologist developed like Lubriderm, you may be doing more harm than good. You might be rubbing formaldehyde on your skin without even knowing it, You can find formaldehyde in embalming fluid and formaldehyde in beauty cream and other personal care products.

Formaldehyde in Beauty Cream as a Preservative

The problem is that moisturizers have to have water in them to work. And anytime you have that much moisture, you run the risk of bacterial growth. So, most manufacturers make their products “safe” by adding preservatives such as formaldehyde (gulp that’s embalming fluid folks), quarternium-15 (a formaldehyde releaser) or one of the parabens such as methylparaben or propylparaben. Formaldehyde is such a great preservative that they use it to halt decomposition after death. I’ll pass on being embalmed while still alive. Parabens have been related to a host of cancers and have even been found present in breast cancer tumors. I’ll pass on the parabens.

Paraben Free and Formaldehyde Free Beauty Cream

What I won’t pass up is Vanicream Skin Cream. This super moisturizer is made by Pharmaceutical Specialities and is free of parabens, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, as well as other things to avoid like fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin and dyes. It is available in a light lotion and a regular cream formulation.

I keep the 16 ounce pump size of the cream next to my bed. It’s great for rubbing on before you go to sleep. I keep another one in the bathroom to apply right after the shower, which is when dermatologists agree is the best time to apply your moisturizer.

The Lite Lotion is the perfect formulation for application to the face if you like a light moisturizer under your make-up. Beware though, it does not have any sunscreen protection. So skip the embalming fluid, antifreeze (look for propylene glycol), and cancer causing suspects and just moisture with Vanicream Skin Cream. Your skin and the rest of your organs will be glad you did.

Wishing you the best of health

Cheryl Krause
AllergyStore.com
800 771-2246

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