text: Those little tree-shaped air fresheners dangling from a rear-view mirror or air vent clip-ons may feel festive, but most car air fresheners can be bad for your health. They seem so innocent, so how is that possible you might ask?
  One of the biggest issues with these products is the mystery behind what goes into them. Believe it or not, It's actually hard to be 100% certain about what chemicals are in air fresheners. There's a ton of secrecy into what actually goes into a fragrance product because companies can claim their ingredients are trade secrets. We definitely can't say a product is safe if we don't even know what is used to make it.
  However, we do know that most air fresheners are made up of a ton of synthetic fragrances. There are literally thousands of chemicals manufacturers can choose from when making a product with synthetic fragrance. And a lot of these chemicals are known to have negative impacts on our health. (1)
  On top of that, fragrance in air fresheners usually contain both phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (2). Although these chemicals can make scents powerful, they can also be allergens that cause coughing, headaches, and runny noses (2). Phthalates are also hormone disruptors and VOCs can be carcinogens. We definitely don't want to be constantly breathing in those chemicals, no matter how good they might smell!
  The amount of space inside your car is also a reason we don't like traditional car air fresheners. A smaller space = more concentrated exposure, and since you probably have your windows closed 90% of the time, a car is one of the worst places to keep a strongly-scented product.
  Luckily, there are easy, nontoxic ways to make your car smell fresh! You can keep a container filled with baking soda or a baking soda freezer pack hidden somewhere. Baking soda is a completely natural way to eliminate odors and a box is only a couple of dollars! Using scents from natural sources are also a great way to add a little freshness to your car. You can put a few drops of an essential oil onto a clothespin or another wooden item and leave it somewhere in your car (3). When the smell goes away, just replenish with a few more drops of oil! If you prefer something a little more contained, we also love putting satchels of lavender or rose petals around our car.
  But perhaps the easiest way to get rid of a bad smell is to simply roll your windows down! Maybe rolling down the windows will help make your commute a little more relaxing too.
  References:
  https://www.nrdc.org/media/2007/070919
  https://kellybroganmd.com/is-your-uber-air-freshener-making-you-sick/
  https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-make-3-naturally-scented-air-fresheners-for-cars/
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  Simple Swap: Scented Garbage Bags
  An easy way to get stink-free trash without the scented bags
  Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
  01 April 2019
  We're talking trash. Not the gossip-y kind about your co-worker who definitely came in wearing the same outfit as yesterday, but literal trash. Like the stuff in your garbage can. No matter what's in it, trash is gross. So, when you think you've finally stumbled upon something that can make it a little less stinky, we're sure you're going to jump right on it. But, if that solution is scented trash bags we might have a better tip for you.
  Instead of getting those odor-block, lavender-vanilla overly scented bags, try a box of baking soda. You can buy a 'fridge and freezer' box of spill-proof baking soda and place it at the bottom of your garbage can. Baking soda is great at absorbing smells of all kinds, fragrance-free on its own, and completely non-toxic. If you have a particularly smelly bag of trash you can even sprinkle in a little extra baking soda for added smell reducing power.
  Why is that better than getting the scented bags you ask? Well, while we don't exactly know how those odor block trash bags do their thing (some say it's built into the plastic, other say they are dusted in smell blockers (2)), we do know that, in general, they have added fragrances to cover up the trash smell. And, we know that products with "fragrance" have been shown to be detrimental to health because companies can hide lots of chemicals, many of which are harmful to your health, under that term on the ingredient list (1).
  So, even though we can't be 100% sure what is added to those scented trash bags to make your garbage smell not as disgusting, we do know there's a good chance there are at least a couple extra ingredients that probably aren't good for you. So, instead of taking the health risk on those bags to keep your trash from smelling, next time you need trash bags, pick up a (cheaper) box of regular garbage bags plus an extra box of baking soda.
  References
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ffj.1106
  https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304432304576369991322977166
  https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2010/02/3163-ingredients-hide-behind-word-fragrance#.W3sv39hKjY0
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  Affordable, Effective, and Easy DIY Cleaners for Your Whole Home
  you'll look at your kitchen basics in a whole new way
  Karen Wang, PhD
  28 January 2019
  We're familiar with the fact that many green and non-toxic cleaners might be out of your budget or that you'd rather spend that extra money on something fun or delicious. Plus if you have kids, getting them to help in the cleaning routine is a lot easier when you know the products you're using won't be damaging their sensitive skin or lungs. Well, the good news is that you can make some really awesome DIY cleaners that are non-toxic, healthy, and good at doing what they are supposed to do for a fraction of what even traditional cleaners cost. If you need some supplies like spray bottles and scrub brushes, we've put together a great list of DIY cleaning supplies.
  DIY All Purpose Cleaners
  We have 2 recipes for DIY all purpose cleaners that we love. Honestly, we love the white vinegar and water one cause it's so easy to remember and no measuring spoons are needed. Sometimes people don't like the smell of vinegar, but we swear it disappears as soon as you wipe and it's dry. Also, maybe it's a vinegary smell isn't that bad when compared to potentially harmful chemicals and weird synthetic fragrances. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to mask the smell. Some favorites are peppermint or eucalyptus. Also, if you have some citrus peels around, you can toss those in instead of essential oils and let them hang out in the cleaner for a while, and they have the same effect.
  Vinegar and water- Mixing equal parts white vinegar and water is an easy cleaner that is really good at cutting grease
  Liquid soap and water- Add 2 tbsp of soap to a 16 oz bottle then fill with water. Or, if you are making in bulk, add 1 cup of soap to 1 gallon of water. A safe and effective liquid soap is Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap.
  DIY Disinfecting Spray
  One of our 6 tips for healthier cleaning is that you don't have to disinfect everything all the time, but for when you do need to disinfect (like when someone is sick or you are cooking with raw chicken), we suggest using something that is effective and safe for your lungs too.
  This might be the easiest one on the list. For a great DIY disinfectant, spray hydrogen peroxide just as it comes from the store, which is 3% diluted, let sit it for a minute, then wipe clean. Be careful that it might affect some painted surfaces.
  DIY Toilet Cleaner
  Cleaning the toilet is probably everyone's least favorite household task, but somebody's gotta do it. And, actually, doing it on a more regular basis makes it easier and not as gross. For the seat and tank, use our DIY all purpose vinegar and water cleaner. For the toilet bowl here are 3 DIY bathroom cleaner suggestions.
  1/2 cup of vinegar- Pour into the toilet bowl starting from the rim and letting it drip into the water and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with brush and flush
  ½ cup of baking soda- Sprinkle into the toilet bowl and around the sides of the bowl and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush and flush
  ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide- Pour into the toilet bowl starting from the rim and letting it drip into the water and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush and flush
  If you're trying to get stains out, we suggest using baking soda. If things are really gross, do the hydrogen peroxide. For just basic cleaning, you can stick with the straight up vinegar.
  DIY Glass Cleaner
  If your windows aren't really that dirty, just use water and a microfiber cloth to wipe clean. Honestly, microfiber cloths are amazing, and you'll be surprised at how much they can do without any products. For when you really need a DIY glass cleaner that isn't some funky shade of blue, we like this recipe.
  Mix ¼ cup vodka (use a cheap, bottom shelf brand), ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 2 cups of hot water to make a spray that will leave your windows spotless. Make sure to shake vigorously each time before you use it.
  DIY Floor cleaner
  ½ tsp of Dr. Bronners Sals Suds or liquid soap for each gallon of water
  ½ cup vinegar for every gallon of water
  When the floors are really dirty (I'm talking muddy dog, food throwing toddler) use the Sals Suds or liquid soap solution to really mop up that grease and dirt. If things have been more mellow around the house, use the vinegar solution. We've heard that using the vinegar on hardwood floors is not problem, but you should check what type of finish your floors have, and do a test sample somewhere out of sight just to be sure.
  DIY Multipurpose Grout Cleaner and Mold and Mildew killer
  This is a great DIY mold and milder cleaner or a grout cleaner. It's great to use when you're doing a deep clean.
  Make a paste of 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, then use a used toothbrush to scrub. Wait 5-10 minutes then rinse.
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  Why You Should Raid Your Kitchen to Get Brighter Laundry
  Non-toxic ways to get whiter whites without bleach
  Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
  28 August 2018
  You know that white shirt that makes for the perfect effortless outfit. It's gorgeous, but also takes a little bit of confidence to rock it. That's because it doesn't matter if it's a summer BBQ, a girls night happy hour, or just running around the corner for a cup of coffee - they are all opportunities for a stain. But, you are a confident adult who is pretty sure they can drink a coffee and walk down the hallway without a problem. You also happen to have a secret weapon - a bottle of bleach in the laundry room.
  While bleach can be a lifesaver if you want to rock that white shirt, it's also a pretty harsh chemical - just think about that smell. Research has shown that using bleach can cause asthma like symptoms or make asthma worse (1). Because we don't love harsh chemicals that can make us sick, we did some searching and found a bunch of ways to care for white laundry without bleach. And an even bigger perk, most of these solutions can be found in your kitchen - score! Here are some of our favorite, non-toxic, whitening tips and tricks.
  1. Vinegar
  You can add regular ol' white vinegar to a load of whites (about half a cup) to help keep them looking their best. Or, you can apply it directly to stains before throwing your clothes in the washing machine. Try it on pit stains or the collar that are starting to yellow, and watch it work it's magic. Worried your laundry will smell like vinegar? Don't be. As it dries the vinegar smell goes away anyway.
  2. Lemon Juice
  Just like with the vinegar, you can add a half a cup of lemon juice to your load of whites (yeah, separating your loads by color will help keep your whites looking sharp, too). You can also use hot water with lemons as a pre-soaking option. Boil a pot of water and add a bunch of lemon slices to it. Then, drop in the clothes and let sit, minimum about an hour, or if you really want some extra power you can let them soak overnight.
  3. Baking soda
  Baking soda comes up a lot in DIY non-toxic cleaning. If you have a stain in a white shirt, trying mixing baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste and rub that on the stain. You can also add half a cup of baking soda to your normal laundry load and it will help whiten, freshen, and even soften your laundry. Sounds like a wonder product! And, when is the last time you made it to the bottom of a box of baking soda anyway - I never have. Use it up in your laundry, then when you spring for a new box to make a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies, you'll be surprised how springy your cookies are with non-expired baking soda.
  4. Hydrogen peroxide
  Okay, this one might not be in your kitchen, but it's probably in your medicine cabinet. That's still pretty close, and it can work wonders on whites. Basically, hydrogen peroxide is a non-chlorine bleach. This means, you should still be careful with it around clothes that aren't white, but for ones that are, if the other things on the list aren't working, give this a shot before reaching for your standard chlorine bleach. Add half a cup to your normal laundry detergent to brighten and whiten.
  5. Sunlight
  This one is by far the easiest. It's as simple as letting your clothes dry outside in the sun. This won't work on stains from spills, but it will help keep your whites bright (instead of dingy) the more you wash them. You know how when you leave stuff outside in the sun for a while it starts to fade (as if you bleached it), that's the premise here. The sun is pretty powerful, meaning it will dry your clothes effectively without using any energy and it will help keep those whites nice and pearly bright.
  And, don't forget to check out our roundup of safe laundry detergents, so that you aren't adding any unnecessary chemicals when you put the shirt in the washing machine.
  Resources
  (1) https://oem.bmj.com/content/72/11/757
  https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-whiten-laundry-without-chlorine-bleach-109590
  http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/whiten-whites-without-chlorine-bleach/
  https://www.dropps.com/blogs/spincycle/15014849-get-your-whites-whiter-without-bleach
  https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-whiten-clothes-without-using-bleach/
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  DIY Cleaning Supplies
  Everything you might need to get you started with non-toxic DIY green cleaning
  Because Health
  11 April 2018
  Have you had a chance to take a peek at some of our DIY green cleaning recipes? If so, you'll notice we recommend some of the same items over and over again. Here's a roundup of basic supplies you might need to do some DIY non-toxic cleaning. Hopefully you already have some of these items floating around your home and kitchen, but if you need to pick something up or want to replace an old item, here is our list of recommend items. We even have some plastic free options, like wood brushes that are up to any cleaning task and are better for the planet.
  a) Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap b) Branch Basics c) Hydrogen Peroxide d) White Vinegar e) Baking Soda f) Glass Spray Bottles, Amber g) Natural Sponge Cloths h) Casabella Waterblock Gloves i) Wood Utility Cleaning Brush j) Stiff Bristle Brush k) Microfiber cloths l) Professional Microfiber Mop
  *Because Health is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program so that when you click through our Amazon links, a percentage of the proceeds from your purchases will go to Because Health. We encourage you to shop locally, but if you do buy online buying through our links will help us continue the critical environmental health education work we do. Our participation does not influence our product recommendations. To read more about how we recommend products, go to our methodology page.
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