Chemicals in cleaners & respiratory issues

amother

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 8:20 am

Has anyone personally seen/experienced a connection?
I recently bought the downy unstoppables, and soon after 2 of my dd's developed bad coughs. (Ages 5 yrs and baby- 6 mnths) Went to look up the ingredients, and seems like it has really negative reviews and the ingredients are bad! Yikes. I packed it up!

My oldest keeps having respiratory issues. Coughing. Wheezing. Bronchitis. Asthma last yr etc.
I think it may be time to go natural with my household cleaners. I'd love to hear from ppl that have switched over- why, and what results they've seen.

amother

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 8:23 am

And how can I prevent my kids from getting sick so often?
I try to have then eat healthy wholesome food.
They take a multi vitamin every day.

What else would you suggest?

tweety1

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 8:24 am

Im not the big natural type, but I just wanna tell you, it's not in your head. Bh my kids are fine, but it's a real thing that all these chemicals can cause respiratory issues, skin issues and what not.

Chayalle

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 9:32 am

I definitely think there could be a connection.

I suffer from mild seasonal asthma, and I've found it to be worse when I use certain products....I tend to use cleaning wipes to wipe down my counters daily, and I remember using windex wipes at one point and feeling it in my chest....I threw out the container and went back to natural wipes (currently using seventh generation and Method grapefruit wipes, neither of which are bothering me.)

I used to use melaleuca products, but I've found that there are plenty of products at the local supermarket that are more natural and chest-friendly. Just look for products that are natural and dye free....

I currently use Tide pur-clean detergent and downy naturals...both use less chemicals and still leave my laundry smelling delicious.

Tzutzie

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 9:53 am

Op, some of these chemicals can be really bad for you.
As a kid my father and I had skin issues. Think bleeding patches of bad rashes. Mostly around my elbow and knee joints, around my neck where the fabric of my collared blouse would rub (And all buttons had to be closed in school and camp) and between my fingers and toes. Once my mother switched to shaklee it ALL went away.
(She initially bought it becuase my sister started selling it... lol. And then my skin cleared up)

I remember I once bought clorox wipes for quick bathroom cleaning. I got the weird cough and was very sick for 3 days. I've never felt like that before. Then I used it twice more and the same thing happened. I realized this must be it. I stopped using it and I never got sick like that again. I had a fever, dizziness, nausea, a bad chesty choking cough that took forever to clear up....
These chemicals are no joke.

I currently use seventh generation products. The price is economical (according to shaklee. Lol) and they really clean well.
I love the scent of my fresh laundty.

amother

Brown

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 10:11 am

I have mild asthma and some allergies. The perfumes in laundry and cleaning products really bother me. I clean with homemade cleaners, use a steam cleaner for the floor, and use unscented laundry products. I do this for a lot of reasons, but partly because they don't bother my breathing. The person who mentioned environmental triggers has a good point. Mold, dust, pets, etc can be problematic as well.

aliavi

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 11:37 am

DC developed chronic ear infections and runny noses at about 18mos. A top specialist told us to wash bedding twice a week in a sanitizing cycle and to never use bleach or ammonia. We had just moved and the all tile floors were being cleaned with ammonia! Stay away from anything scented or dyes. We also eliminated oat (Aveeno) and wheat protein in products. DC is fine and can use anything but notices psoriasis type of bumps with extended use.

ETA: noooo swifter wet. Use a steam mop.

FranticFrummie

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 12:29 pm

DD has asthma, and I have multiple chemical sensitivities.

We use all organic products, you can order off of Amazon if you don't have a Whole Foods near you.

Dr. Bronners soaps clean pretty much everything, and it comes in an unscented version. One bottle can last you for up to 10 years! 7th Generation is really good. Mostly, I use boiling water, baking soda, and plain vinegar. That seems to do the trick on most surfaces.

Unscented laundry detergent is a must, and skip the dryer sheets. Those sheets ruin your clothes, anyway. Amway has the best dish soap and laundry detergent I have ever used, and also lasts forever.

Some products may seem expensive up front, but between the health benefits, and the fact that you won't go through them so fast, you'll end up spending a lot less money, and feel much better.

amother

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 12:58 pm

Wow. Thank you all for these responses.

Irony here is that growing up I had asthma, and my mom switched the entire household to natural products- and that's all I grew up with.
I got married n decided that my laundry will smell good. I love the smell of detergents- Ajax, Mr clean n the like... and now this 'rude awakening Wink

So momma was right all along. And I needed to hear it from other moms as well.

Whew! I sound so silly right now. But I learned my lesson. "If not now... then when.."

. So now for my next question- how can I make natural cleaners and laundry smell good? I find that the natural cleaners I'm familiar with don't have these fresh yummy scents.

amother

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 12:59 pm

FranticFrummie wrote:

Where can these products be found in Israel for decent prices?

amother

Blonde

Mon, Sep 09 2019, 5:02 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Lol. Other than changing expectations 😉 essential oils help. You can use a naturally scented lotion while wearing your clothes. They don’t need to smell good for your closet Laugh

they should just be clean.

I like a trader joe’s all purpose cleaner that has some scent.