Hidden Toxins

But the reality is that the air fresheners and candles people buy that are pumpkin or fall-scented are full of toxins that are as harmful or more harmful than smoking a cigarette. Even the cleaning products we use are full of chemicals that might not be on the label but end up off-gassing into the air or onto our skin.

I used to buy scented candles. I used to have a bottle of scented toxins that I sprayed our furniture with. I used to have a can of scented toxins that I used as air freshener. I used to get scented laundry detergent--the kind that would keep our clothes scented for weeks--I thought that was a GOOD thing. I just didn't know better! So, believe me when I say that I've got ZERO judgement here!

The Trouble with Candles

Most candles are made of paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known carcinogens). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes!
In the US, candle wicks are supposed to be made of cotton or paper, but not all countries have the requirements. Studies have found that as much as 30% of candles we buy at the store contain heavy metals in the wicks, like lead. I never knew that before I started doing some research!

Many Candles also contain artificial scents and dyes, which release additional chemicals when burned. Other toxic chemicals that may be present in the paraffin mixture and released through burning include: Acetone, Trichloroethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2 -Butanone, Trichloroethane, Tricholoroethene, Chlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Xylene, Phenol, Cresol, Cyclopentene. Some of the toxins are found in other products such as paint, lacquer and varnish removers - that’s potent and powerful stuff

Not to mention Fragrance! Fragrance is a cute word for synthetic chemicals. In fact the word fragrance in an ingredient list can be a proprietary word to hide more than 2,000 synthetic ingredients. Synthetic Fragrances are known Endocrine Disruptors aka hormones, which is what controls our bodies, and also can have Carcinogenic effects aka Cancer. YUCK!!!

What to do?

✔Check your labels on your air freshener, laundry detergent, household cleaner, etc. for the word "fragrance". The FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to list the chemicals included in fragrance additives, meaning if you see the label on a product, it probably contains VOCs that can produce formaldehyde in your home.

✔ Check the labels of your shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, and similar products for phthalates. These are hormone-like chemicals linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals and humans.

✔ Then, switch out those products with healthier versions of them. Avoid being fooled by greenwashing marketing that market the labels and branding of products look like they're more natural than they actually are. We use Young Living products and save 25% every time we order. And...my mama brain can feel secure knowing that Young Living has the same Seed to Seal guarantee they have for their oils as they do for every product they sell and I'm limiting the amount of exposure our family has from toxic ingredients.

 ✔ Get yo'self a diffuser and essential oils. Not only will you be scenting the air with something that is actually healthy for you, but you'll also be purifying the air vs covering it up with synthetic fragrance. Once you have your starter bundle, you can slowly start switching out all of the products in your house, get 24% off retail price, plus get 10% back in free store credit...and eventually 25% back in free store credit.

Know better. Do better. Feel better.

Let's do this together. I'm here to help walk you through it every step of the way