It's that time of year to "start fresh." Starting fresh can mean many different things: Cleaning out a cluttered closet, creating new habits, initiating a diet/health plan, or moving to a new city. One of the most impactful ways to start fresh is from within your home! Your home should be a haven for you and your loved ones. A clean home can positively impact your daily habits, leading to a healthier, more sustainable, and rewarding lifestyle. This January, we are making an effort to use more eco-friendly, all-natural cleaning products that are better for the environment and our human health.
Unfortunately, many common household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that harm our health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 53 percent of standard household cleaning products contain ingredients harmful to the lungs, and about 22 percent contain chemicals reported to cause or worsen asthma (2022). Ingredient labels are mandatory for food, cosmetics and drugs but not cleaning products, making it harder for consumers to know which products may be harmful (EWG, 2022). However, some companies make it easier to know which products are better for our health and create less home waste.
Think Dirty is an app that allows consumers to identify toxic ingredients by scanning the product's barcode. Once scanned, the app will indicate if most ingredients are toxic or non-toxic, making our decision-making process smoother. Consumers can also use this app for beauty products! Many companies make using natural products for a non-toxic home more manageable and affordable. Grove Collaborative is an online delivery company that provides in-depth research about hidden ingredients so you can determine what is cleanest for your home. You can customize your cart with sustainable products delivered right to your door on your time.
Not one to partake in the monthly delivery subscriptions and prefer to do the work yourself? Sprouts Farmers Market on South Perkins Road is your one-stop shop for all-natural cleaning brands, such as Mrs. Meyers, Sprouts Brand, Seventh Generation, and Zum Clean.
Another great spot to find sustainable cleaning products (and some of the best coffee) is The Fresh Market off Mendenhall Road.
As consumers, we can do our part to make our homes and our environment cleaner. We can start by choosing non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products made by trusted brands over the highly chemical, plastic-packaged, toxic products we use because we are familiar with them. These minor adjustments may not seem like they would make a difference, but small adjustments turn into habits that eventually shape our lives. So, what better time to "start fresh" and "live fresh" with the products in your home than the new year?