Did you know that indoor air can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outdoor air?19   It’s the things we do to keep our homes efficient and save on our heating bills and all those “smelly”, toxic products we use to keep our house smelling fresh and clean. Now that’s debatable.

Use your nose. Walk around your home and really pay attention to the odours. If they come from substances made by nature, they probably will not negatively affect your health. However, the smells of those airborne chemicals could be causing neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, depression, attention deficit disorder, reproductive disorders, fatigue, headaches, allergies, asthma and other breathing disorders, muscle and vision problems and a reduced ability to handle stress.20   Where have we heard that before? And now it’s right there in your home— affecting you and your loved ones.

“The shocking truth is that nearly any chemical can legally be used in cleaners, and ingredients list are not required on labels. Our health, and the health of our children, is at risk when we breathe air clouded with chemicals, including some that can cause asthma and are known or possible carcinogens.”21

Smelly chemicals from all purpose cleaners,  bleach, carpet cleaners, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher detergents, disinfectants, drain openers, dry cleaning, dusting, fabric softeners, floor and furniture polish, glass cleaner, heavy duty cleaner, —then add laundry detergent, laundry stain remover, laundry starch, leather protector, mould and mildew cleaners,  oven cleaner, scouring powder, sink, tub and tile cleaners, shoe polish, toilet bowl cleaner and deodorizer, upholsterycleaner, etc. are polluting our homes. Now add all those scented, toxic personal care products and we wonder why we aren’t experiencing optimal health and well-being.


19 – Environmental Working Group
20 – Environmental Working Group
21 – Environmental Working Group