Are Your Cleaning Products Making ADHD Symptoms Worse?

Can Your Cleaning Products Really Make ADHD Symptoms Worse?

Yes, they can and in this blog post I will show you how. Please read on to see what changes YOU can make to transform your home from a toxic environment to a safer environment for all.

What Really Is In Your Cleaning Products?

• Neurotoxins – a poison that affects our nervous system. Symptoms are headache, Uncontrollable OCD behavior, behavioral problems, loss of memory and cognitive funcion.

• Endocrine Disrupters – Chemicals that interfere with our endocrine system. Numerous neurotransmitter systems, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, glutamate, and others, are sensitive to endocrine disruption. As our endocrine system is in charge of all of our hormones, ADHD symptoms can become worse when exposed to these chemicals.

• Carcinogens – Chemicals that are cancer causing.

Top 5 Worst Cleaning Products

• Air Fresheners – Every one wants to “clean” their air and uses chemicals to do it. Does that make sense, really? Why do we allow marketing ploys from companies to dictate how we clean our air. There are so many chemicals in those air fresheners and you and your family are inhaling them every second you are present in your home. The EWG listed these probable reactions: Respiratory/Asthma, Skin allergies and irritation, Developmental and reproductive toxicity, Cancer and negative effects on our environment. I use essential oils in my diffuser to clean my air and it works amazing.

• Fabric Softener – We all want cling free clothes that smell great, however at what risk? Respiratory and asthma concerns as well as skin allergies and irritations. Dryer Balls are a great alternative and you can put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on them to freshen the load 🙂

• All Purpose Cleaners – EWG reports Asthma/Respiratory concerns, as well as skin allergies and irritations and developmental and reproductive toxicity. Even the “natural” ones are not ideal. I make our cleaners from essential oils, vinegar and water and it does an incredible job.

• Antibacterial products – these products are known to be an endocrine disrupter as well as been linked to liver toxicity. Also can cause those super bugs that are drug resistant.

• Bleach/Ammonia – known to be highly toxic to eyes, nose throat and lungs. Again clean with baking soda and vinegar with some essential oils to kill bacteria.

Alternatives to Chemical Laden Cleaners

• Baking Soda – It was good enough for our Grandmother’s so let’s get back to the basics.

• Vinegar – vinegar’s acidity makes it a great cleaning option

• doTerra Essential oils – the antibacterial and antiviral properties of essential oils make them a great alternative. I love Tea Tree Oil, On Guard, Purify, Lemon, Peppermint and Wild Orange.

Now is the Perfect Time to Get Started Cleaning All Naturally

As we begin the Spring season, everyone is thinking about Spring Cleaning. With that being said, NOW is the perfect time to get started on switching out your current cleaning products for natural alternatives. I would love to help you get started so please comment on this blog post any questions that you might have 🙂

Keep Exploring!!

As a mom to a child with ADHD, I’ve been there and want to serve you well while you navigate this journey. Please check out my other blog posts for support and more tips.

Until next time,

Mary

About the author:  Mary is a wife of 22 years and mom to three children, one who has ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder.  She is also a Certified Health Coach and loves to serve her clients through a Free Facebook group, Online and In-Person Individual Family Coaching and Group Coaching programs.  She is also a self published author of “Food & The Brain” a book about how food affects our brains and the creator of “Grocery Store to Table” a program with a proven approach to helping your child accept new foods into their diets.