Whats your take on all the toxins in baby products, cosmetics, lotions, and houshold items?

Cathy - posted on 11/19/2010

For the bath bombs you only need baking soda and citric acid (2:1 ratio) for the basic ingredients.

You can then add cornstarch (it makes the mixture easier to work with)

You'll need some wet ingredients to bind the mixture.
Water, use a spray bottle so you don't use too much.
Fragrance ... you can use your favourite perfume or some essential oils, colour (optional) you can buy cosmetic grade colourant but a few drops of food colouring works fine. Adding a small amount of oil also makes the water feel nice when it fizzes, coconut oil is lovely but you can also use sunflower oil, olive oil (available with cooking oils in the supermarket), or try more expensive but soothing oils like almond or calendula oil.

You can also add herbs, flower petals, cosmetic grade glitter, small chunks of cocoa butter...

You can use anything you like for a mould. For the traditional round bomb cut a tennis ball in half!

Melissa - posted on 11/18/2010

Loureen thanks for the info on boax...I dont use it much I figured if kills ants and other bugs it cant be to safe!
Cathy thanks for sharing the bathbombs cant wait to make one!

Cathy - posted on 11/18/2010

Do what you can to go green but I'm not going to panic about every chemical.

You can make a lot of stuff yourself at home from just a few basic ingredients. baking soda, vinegar, alcohol, lemon juice, citric acid, cornstarch, oils, essential oils and fruits and veggies.

Making bath bombs are great fun!

You can make a basic deodorant powder out of cornstarch, baking soda and liquid chlorophyll (you can make it yourself by filling a jar with lawn clippings and topping with witch hazel or vodka). Nothing dangerous in that. If you want a stick deodorant just add some shortening.

Charlie - posted on 11/17/2010

Government sites recommend that people who work with Borax use gloves and handle it with caution. Studies have linked it to reproductive problems in some lab animals, as well as a host of serious disorders at higher levels.

Boric acid is an acute eye and respiratory tract irritant, which is quite toxic if ingested. In addition, it is unavailable in parts of Europe because of concerns that it caused birth defects and problems with the reproductive organs of children. It is recommended that pregnant women and children in particular do not have exposure to Borax.

Here are some medical and U.S. government fact sheets about its toxicity:

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http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd/chem...
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http://www.greenconsumer.cc/managers/bor...
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http://www.homestead.com/ipmofalaska/fil...
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http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0410.htm

It's important to remember that many products that we use around the house are just as harmful. However, most of them aren't included in recipes we give to toddlers!

Tara - posted on 11/17/2010

We make most of our cleaning products. We use a lot of baking soda and vinegar. Borax as well. Essential oils are great to add to your cleaning solutions for smell. I don't know where they rate on the scale but I have always used Ivory bar soap on myself and the kids, but shampoos, conditioner etc, i don't concern myself with too much, we can't live in a bubble and while i know there are better alternatives, i'm just not willing to shell out $10+ for a bottle of shampoo for a house with 7 people in it! And that goes for a lot of other alternative things as well. I grow or buy organic and local food, we eat locally raised meat etc. right now money and common sense dictate that I concern myself more with what i put in our bodies than on them.

Katherine - posted on 11/17/2010

Animal testing, that deters me too.

Melissa - posted on 11/17/2010

I didnt know about the formula..uugghh...man... have you heard anything about organic formula?

Carol - posted on 11/16/2010

it is disgusting, but how long have people been using this stuff? for decades. Now with everyone goign green companies are being exposed for what they put into their products and its not only the non natural products either its also the natural products. I read on article that natural deoderant had more harmful chemicals in it then regular. I think there should be a store where you can buy the things you need to make your own home cleaning/ body cleaning and laundry cleaning items that way we know what goes into them. Also formula is very dangerous, has a ton of biochemicals in it. One thing that i do know cleans and isn't harmful baking soda. Just use it and vineger and they clean just about everything. Vineger isnt as harmful as bleach so you can use it in the bathroom, kitchen and when mixed with baking soda creates a liquid drain cleaner that unclogs sinks. very useful. Look around online to see what you can make.

Melissa - posted on 11/14/2010

Oh and I have a friend who works for the major shampoo making factory and he told me I would be so shocked and horrified at what synthetic toxic stuff they use to make it...and yep kind of am! i love some of the pure and natural lines at target..try them some time...they smell delish!

Sherri - posted on 11/14/2010

Thanks :)

Melissa - posted on 11/14/2010

Deoderant is so easy and CHEAP to make and you can add your own essential oils!
Well I used to work b and B and unfortunalty all of them have parabans and phalates "fragrance" in them...thats kind of hard to avoid. I love them so much to though...I have found that the aromatherapy line is at a lower toxic level than the rest...and unfortunatly cosmetics are the worse especailly face creams....you kind of have to be a label freak...if you ever want to check it out or check on an ingrediant you can go to the cosmeticdatabase.com and check it out....The hardest thing for me to get rid of was their home fragrance line..uugghh loved them but now I am saving money and my house still smells amazing!
The biggest thing you can do to start to make a small change is change your cleaning products...I like the natural ones better anyway they just smell less toxic and have beautfiul natural phalate free scents...I get my cleaning products at target and i make my own and I love the steam cleaning stuff for bathrooms works better than all the products out there I think!
Dove is at a moderate toxic level...

A - posted on 11/14/2010

One thing I cannot live without is my Dove hair conditioner. Its the best. lol!

Sherri - posted on 11/14/2010

Melissa what beauty products don't you use anymore? Only because I can not live without my deodorant, I have to use certain conditioners on my hair the only ones that work not so stuck on shampoos, I also need to use certain lotions for my eczema, and please don't tell me I have to give up my make up. I don't leave the house without my make up EVER!!

Anyone know how Bath & Body works products fair in this discussion because I LIVE on their products.

Melissa - posted on 11/14/2010

BTW borax is a natural bleach and it works just like ajax!

Melissa - posted on 11/14/2010

Sherri i was the exact same way...love my b and b products and loved all the newsest latest cleaning products but once I found out the truth it scared me and has completly changed the way I do things...I am not perfect but the toxins and the cancer links and developmental and everything in between is just shockling to me! Its the long term effects these cleaning products and ingrediants used in beauty products have that are a huge reason why there is so much cancer and other health problems in the world today! It is shocking! I know to much now to justify buying my favorite scents! But some of the greener products that are phalate and chlorine free smell amazing!
The thing is "greener" is marketed as better for the enviroment when it should be marketed as better for your health!

Charlie - posted on 11/14/2010

It's funny Sherri it actually took me a long time to wea myself off using bleaches and other chemical cleaning agents , I too felt that it wasn't clean unless i could smell bleach !

Stifler's - posted on 11/14/2010

I use stainless steel soap pads to scrub the shower or my Norwex mitt my MIL gave me. And just Ajax/PineOCleen/Morning fresh for most things and Windex for the mirrors and windows.

Sherri - posted on 11/14/2010

I have to admit I will only clean with bleach. If it doesn't smell like bleach it just isn't clean in my book. I am pretty loyal to my laundry detergent and can't live without my Downey.

I do however, only feed my kids organic foods at home. Organic milk, juice, foods.

I used oragel with all 3 of my kids to late to do anything about it now. I am a sucker for the best smelling baby lotions and shampoos too I am kind of embarrassed to admit.

Kylie - posted on 11/14/2010

I think it's disgusting that companies can put these synthetic, harmful toxins in baby products and market them as "only the best for baby". Not to mention what is in food marketed to towards kids. I dont think its a waste of time to educate yourself on what is in the things you buy. And i agree there should be simpler, honest labeling so consumers and can make an educated choice. I use organic, paraben and sls free stuff on myself and the kids. There are actually products in the supermarket that are cheaper than the chemical laden ones.
Environmentally friendly cleaning products work just as well and smell just as nice so i dont understand why this toxic shit is being sold and poured down drains everyday.



How can anyone can watch this ad and still want to use Mr muscle and bleach to clean their bathroom?

Jennifer - posted on 11/14/2010

Everything in this world has something in it that may affect us. I think getting overcatious about things like this isn't the way to go.

Charlie - posted on 11/14/2010

You have to be careful with the fake amber getting around also the lighter coloured amber and the cloudier it is means it contains more of the active ingrediant succient acid so darker amber generally has less .

Katherine - posted on 11/14/2010

Thanks, Nikki.

Nikki - posted on 11/14/2010

Katherine I don't know if this link will work but the profile picture is from a nursing event on fb.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15...

Stifler's - posted on 11/14/2010

I have one of those too for Logan! It didn't work as well as it did on your bub though lol. I hated dosing him up on Panadol and Bonjela or Nurofen and stuff. Thank god the teething is over for now.

Charlie - posted on 11/14/2010

Oh im using baltic amber teething necklaces and they work ! Cooper is cutting molars and he is naturally pain free whereas before he cut some molars without and it was hell for him until he wore it .

A - posted on 11/14/2010

The big O as you say- I've never used because of the choking/suffocation hazard if it numbs the throat. I try to go all natural with stuff (even with myself since I'm breastfeeding) but it is hard and it can be expensive. I've gone to cloth diapers and use the huggies natural care disposables when I don't use cloth. I switched to burts bee's baby wash. I buy organic (and in glass jars when I can to reduce the amount of bpa from plastics), use PABA free sun block/screen, etc. The other day I was shopping with my husband. I was buying some organic stuff and I was thinking...since when did organic and natural become the exception? Its very sad. Whats even more sad is that Its very hard for me to change my eating habits because I was never taught to eat healthy and its very hard to stop habits you've been living with your whole life. I try to do better for my son but its a challenge. I am seeing more and more organic stuff and also the prices seem to be coming down a little, so thats good. Hopefully it will continue to get better.

Charlie - posted on 11/14/2010

They do not bleach marg , i think we talkied about this in the butter Vmarg thread.
"but i also find life is too short to worry about all this stuff. just try to do what you can to help yourself. that's all you can do. :)"

I don't think people sit around worrying or does it take any extra time , it is as simple as making different choices instead of buying bleach and bench spray i buy bi carb and vinegar , i also think when it comes to skin care if it is good enough to put in your body to eat its good enough for your skin , Harry's oat milk bath and grapeseed oil massage gives the softest , lovliest skin !

Katherine - posted on 11/14/2010

2 tablespoons

Katherine - posted on 11/14/2010

@ Sarah, a cup? I can't believe it doesn't say....

Jenn - posted on 11/14/2010

No they do not bleach margarine - but some brands do add yellow dye so it looks more like butter.

Bonnie - posted on 11/14/2010

Yeah I highly doubt they bleach patato chips...patatos are naturally the same colour as regular chips. I really hope they don't bleach margarine...yuck.

Sarah - posted on 11/14/2010

@Katherine- Thanks for that link to the laundry detergent. How much are you supposed to add to a load of laundry though?

Katherine - posted on 11/14/2010

Where are you guys getting the BF pics?

ME - posted on 11/14/2010

I use all natural soaps, detergents, and lotions...I buy organic food when I can. Trader Joes is a great store (in the states) for going "green" on a budget.

Stifler's - posted on 11/14/2010

Haha I doubt they bleach potato chips lol but I wouldn't be surprised about margarine.

Jenn - posted on 11/14/2010

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they do not bleach margarine or chips. What colour would the potatoes be in the first place if by bleaching them they appear as they do? LMFAO!!!!!

C. - posted on 11/14/2010

@Nikki.. We've tried EVERYTHING on him aside from plant oils and the petroleum jelly is literally the only thing that works on him. If your daughter isn't allergic to plants, you can try different oils. I'm allergic to plants and already passed on the sensitive skin and Eczema to my son.. I don't want to risk using plant oils on him just in case he's allergic, too.

I've never heard of them bleaching margarine or potato chips. I don't even know why they'd have to. Potatoes are white/yellow/cream/orange colored (depending on type) and margarine naturally appears white to off-white..

Nikki - posted on 11/14/2010

I was told margarine was black before they bleach it, not sure if it's true. I also heard they bleach potato chips? I could just be possibly gullible however :)

Jenn - posted on 11/14/2010

What are you talking about - the colour of pork? Never heard that one before.

Nikki - posted on 11/14/2010

Do you use anything else for the eczema Christina? I am trying to find something for my daughter that works.

C. - posted on 11/14/2010

Aye.. As a mommy who is allergic to pretty much everything, I use the good stuff.. Strong smells and all :) And no, I don't feel bad about it. Usually my son is with my husband when I'm cleaning with those things and they're usually out of the house. Regardless, when I use those, I still vent the house (all doors and windows left open for several hours, thank you).



And no, I'm not lying about being allergic to pretty much everything (grass, trees, leaves, weeds.. When they did an allergy test, I was allergic to 27 out of 35-- HUGE hives all over my back. ALL were plants.)



I think it's great that some people are so gung ho about going 'green'. However, you can't expect everyone to be able to do it.



And for the record, I use good old petroleum jelly on my son as his lotion- Everything else makes him break out in hives and rashes (he was blessed with sensitive skin and Eczema like me..)

Nikki - posted on 11/14/2010

I only found out a few months ago, I too was disgusted! I research every product I now use on my daughter to ensure they are organic and chemical free. I try to buy organic food(sometimes hard because I live in a small town) and I have never used chemicals for cleaning. I only buy bpa free plastic, never heat anything in plastic or store anything in plastic, I am rather anal now really. It's scary to think what effects these chemicals will have on our society in the years to come.

Bonnie - posted on 11/13/2010

"but i also find life is too short to worry about all this stuff. just try to do what you can to help yourself. that's all you can do. :)"

I have to say, I love that quote of your Kati. That is really all you can do. It's no life to be sitting around worrying all the time. You do what you know and can and make the best of it.

Stifler's - posted on 11/13/2010

norwex is natural cleaning products and microfibre cloths and stuff http://www.norwexnaturallyclean.com.au/

Melissa - posted on 11/13/2010

True Kati...it is crazy and there are great organizations out there trying to change things...I sometimes have to stop and just not worry about it be cause other wise I am all consumed by it....So I agree small changes make a big difference.

Rosie - posted on 11/13/2010

i don't get why they do it, and it does anger me. i just found out tonight that pork isn't actually that color when it comes out of the pig. it looks like beef when it comes right out of the pig, not like the light pink -other white meat.
i also didn't know until this year that sugar was cleached, and all sorts of other unnecessary shit that we stick into ourselves and our kids on a daily basis.

but i also find life is to short to worry about all this stuff. just try to do what you can to help yourself. that;s all you can do. :)

Melissa - posted on 11/13/2010

I also filled my house with plants...they remove formaldehyde and other "off gassings"...oh and my hubby and I just started making our own deoderant...love it, so much fun we want to make it a business! Next is making our own lotions!

But my main question is does it anger anyone else that all these big companies are so manipulative in their marketing ...ect..?

Emma no not me...whats norwex?

Katherine - posted on 11/13/2010

Uh oh

Stifler's - posted on 11/13/2010

Are you the one that does Norwex Melissa?

Katherine - posted on 11/13/2010

and....how to make your own detergent: http://www.ehow.com/how_5239542_make-own...