General Recommendations: [size=+1]1. Avoid ALL scented products ("fragrance" as an ingredient) - including all perfumes, colognes, after-shaves, personal-care products, air fresheners, pot-pourri, etc. Be careful about certain "unscented" products that use "masking fragrance" to cover up the original fragrance - these are doubly toxic![/size] [size=+1]2. Avoid ALL fabric softeners, dryer sheets, Clorox, scented detergents, etc. These products are VERY toxic and very harmful to the environment as well.[/size] [size=+1]3. Avoid ALL pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Pesticides are neuro-toxins (affect the central nervous system), and they don't know the difference between the BUGS and YOU! For fleas, roaches, ants, etc., use diatomacious earth, boric acid, and nematodes. You can get these from health food stores and pet supply stores - or from some of the "Resources" listed on the[/size] [size=+1]MCS Resources[/size] [size=+1]page.[/size] [size=+1]4. Use only non-toxic cleaning products and personal-care products (see below).[/size] [size=+1]5. Drink and bathe in filtered water. Taking a shower in chlorinated water causes the chlorine to go right into your blood stream. You can purchase shower filters that easily attach to your shower nozzle from water-supply stores (check your Yellow Pages) or from many of the mail-order companies listed on the[/size] [size=+1]MCS Resources[/size] [size=+1]page. Also avoid swimming in chlorinated pools.[/size] [size=+1]6. Eat organic food (food grown without pesticides or fertilizers) as often as possible. Avoid processed foods, foods with colors and dyes, preservatives, etc. NEVER consume products containing "NutraSweet" (aspartame). It breaks down into formic acid ("ant-sting poison") and methanol (wood alcohol) in your body! (See[/size] [size=+1]"Links to Related Sites"[/size] [size=+1]for more information about aspartame.)[/size] [size=+1]7. Wear only natural-fiber clothing (100% cotton, linen, wool, or silk). Make sure the clothes are NOT "permanent press" or "wrinkle resistant" - these clothes have been treated with formaldehyde that does NOT wash out![/size] [size=+1]8. Use only 100% cotton, wool, or pure silk bed linens and blankets. Avoid "no-iron" or "wrinkle-resistant". A good brand is "Simply Cotton", marketed by "Martex" and available at department stores like Dillards. Wal-mart also now carries 100% cotton "T-shirt" sheets![/size] [size=+1]9. As much as possible, avoid plastics (store food in glass jars), particle-board, plywood, glues, inks, paints (use Glidden 2000 - least toxic), foam rubber, vinyl, carpet, synthetic rugs, varnishes, solvents, etc.[/size] [size=+1]10. Open your windows as often as possible! Even in the most polluted cities, the outdoor air has been found to be less toxic than the indoor air! Amazing, isn't it?![/size] [size=+1]11. Certain houseplants are beneficial to remove toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene etc. The best plants for removing these and other toxins are philodendrons, spider plants, aloe vera, English ivy, golden pothos, and boston fern. To learn more about this, there is a really good book available called:[/size] [size=+1]"How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office"[/size][size=+1]by B. C. Wolverton.[/size] [size=+1](NOTE: Many thanks to[/size] [size=+1]Karen Snyder[/size] [size=+1]for this information!)[/size] Cleaning Products (HFS = health food store - all items not designated with "HFS" can be found at your regular grocery store.) [size=+1][/size] [size=+1]1. GENERAL CLEANING:[/size] [size=+1]White Vinegar (cleans windows, counter tops, chrome, grease, floors, etc.) [/size] [size=+1]Bon Ami (sinks, etc.) - near the "Comet" [/size] [size=+1]Borax (toilets, tubs, floors) - disinfects, deodorizes, kills mold and mildew, and great for laundry - in the detergent aisle [/size] [size=+1]Baking Soda - sit around in small bowls to absorb odors; also cleans sinks, great for laundry, etc. [/size] [size=+1]Lemons (clean windows, sinks, grease, etc.). You can also use lemons as an air freshener. Cut 4 lemons into 4ths. Put in a pot and cover with water. Simmer for about an hour and turn heat off. Will fill room with wonderful aroma! (Note: Some people react to the odors of lemons and oranges, even though they're considered "natural". Please be careful!) My personal opinion is that pure fresh air with no added scent is BEST - however, for those of you who simply must have some kind of "scent" in the air to feel like your air is fresh, this is probably the next-best thing, and is MUCH better than the toxic "air fresheners" (poisoners, actually)! [/size] [size=+1]Furniture polish: any vegetable oil, lemon oil, etc. (2 parts oil, 1 part lemon juice works great!), Earthrite furniture polish (HFS), or any other brand that is all natural and fragrance-free [/size] [size=+1]Nature Clean, Lifetree, Seventh Generation, or Ecover dishwashing liquids (HFS) [/size] [size=+1]Nature Clean or Ecover automatic dishwashing detergent (or any that do not contain chlorine or fragrance) [/size] [size=+1]Tip: To get stuck-on food off a pot/pan, just sprinkle salt and cool water in it and let it sit a while, then wipe clean![/size]
