The products you are using every day could be full of toxins! I had an incredible conversation with my friend from high school, Christa Bratcher, about the truth about toxins in your home. Chrsita is a wife, mom, nurse, and the person who opened my eyes to the toxins hiding in my own home.

When did you first start noticing something was “off with your health and home environment, and what were the first products you switched?

It first started 11 years ago when cleaning her bathroom with your typical cleaning products, she became so sick. She would wear a mask and just try to suffer through it. Then, when her second child was born, she became a child with frequent ear infections. She knew that there were products in her home that could be the culprit. 

Christa started with her cleaning supplies first because she knew that it affected her physically. She also saw a study that says if you clean your home with typical products like Lysol and Clorox, it is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.

How did you feel physically once you started removing toxic products from your home?

Immediately, Christa felt better when switching her cleaning products. The biggest thing she realized when she switched was how she felt when she went somewhere else. When she went to other people’s homes that were cleaned with the typical products, she would have an immediate headache.

Christa said the toxins in your cleaning products can be absorbed through your skin. Whether it’s your laundry detergent, your bathroom cleaner, or your dishwasher pods – all those things are absorbed into your skin and can affect the way you feel.

What are a few common household items people assume are safe but actually aren’t?

Your laundry detergent is the #1 product that people often think is safe, but your popular brands are full of toxins (including a new mom’s favorite – Dreft). It’s right next to your skin, and if you are sweating and those pores are opening up, you are absorbing that into your skin all day, every day. It’s hard to give up because it smells good.

What advice do you have for someone listening who feels overwhelmed? Where should they start?

It’s overwhelming to think about switching out everything. But you don’t have to do everything at once, just start. When you run out of something, make the switch for that product then. Try something cleaner. It doesn’t have to cost more. Christa started with her cleaning products, but you can start as small as you want. Every small step is making a big difference in your health. 

Whether you’re brand new to clean living or ready to take your swaps to the next level, I hope this inspires you to take action.

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If you liked this blog, here’s more for you!

5 Healthy Habits That Make Me Feel Good: HERE

Benefits of Lowering Your Sugar Intake & Easy Ways You Can Do It Too!: HERE