Cleanliness doesn't need to be associated with any particular scent. For many years, people have been conditioned to think that if something is "clean," it should have a strong, fragrant smell. Companies have sold commercial cleaning products containing artificial fragrances for decades, designed to make consumers believe that their homes and businesses are clean simply because of the scent they emit.

However, this is a misconception. Having a fragrant scent in the air does not equate to a room being truly clean. In actuality, there is no single smell that could be considered "clean," as the term only refers to how free an environment is from dirt and germs. When a space has been properly cleaned, there should be no trace of any odor at all - including artificial fragrances.

What's more, artificially scented cleaning products can often cause more harm than good by introducing toxins into the environment which can adversely affect respiratory health over time. Certain chemicals that are commonly used to create these scents can trigger allergies or cause headaches for those who are exposed regularly. In some cases, these substances can even contribute to asthma attacks or other serious illnesses which can've long-term implications for those affected - making them much worse off than before they decided to use these heavily-scented cleaning solutions in their home or workplace environment.

Therefore, it's important for both homeowners and business owners alike not to rely on artificially scented cleaning products as indicators of a truly clean home or office space. It's much safer (and healthier) in the long run to opt instead for natural cleansers like MamaSuds which serve just as well at removing dirt and grime without exposing occupants unnecessarily to potentially harmful chemicals found in heavily-scented commercial cleaners.

Overall, while it may seem like cleanliness comes hand-in-hand with certain smells - this is almost never the case; instead, opting for natural cleaners without artificial or "Plant-based" scents (always always choose unscented or pure essential oils) will ensure that your living and working spaces remain safe from germs without sacrificing your health in the process!

The recent Unilever Dry Shampoo Recall has many of us in the health and wellness industry shaking our heads and asking, "Why is benzene used at all?". In all, NINETEEN products were voluntarily recalled (oh how nice of them, we should definitely trust them in the future) because of the "potentially elevated levels of benzene." 

According to the FDA:

"Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening."

According to the CDC: 

• Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable.
• Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas.
• Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water.

The main way people are exposed to benzene is through personal care products that use benzene in their spray propellants. "

"The highest detections of benzene have been in aerosol spray products. FDA scientists hypothesize that contamination may come from inactive petroleum-derived ingredients, such as carbomers, a thickening agent, or isobutane, a spray propellant."

Wait, did you read that? FDA scientists HYPOTHESIZE? So they aren't testing products for it? Hmmmm.

How about banning aerosol products in general so we don't expose humans to daily contact? 

What are safe alternatives? We love the Dry Shampoo that Red Oak Refillery sells. 

Maybe you’ve just moved into a new home, or you’re hoping to rearrange a well-loved space. You’re seeking a comfortable, homey feeling but you don’t want to spend a fortune, and you want to keep it natural. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to make sure that you stick to natural products, while still making sure your home feels welcoming.

Lighting

When decorating a space, consider where the lights are placed and the type of lightbulbs you are using. Many homes use incandescent light because they have a warm yellow light. But these light bulbs burn out fairly quickly compared to LED lights, and it takes more of them to light a space. Try replacing your incandescent lights with LED lights and placing them strategically around the room. You can use lampshades and other coverings to diffuse the light, giving the room a similar feeling to incandescent bulbs with much less expense.

Textiles

Area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets are easy ways to add color and texture to a space. These items are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs to suit many different aesthetic styles. Even in a kitchen setting, adding a plush area rug to a high-traffic area can help to break up the space and add a homey feel. Living rooms and bedrooms are signature spots for adding cozy throws and pillows.

Fragrance

Our homes smell like a lot of different things. Sometimes, when we have been cooking or baking, that smell can be fantastic, but there are other times when you want the smell gone as fast as possible. Increasing air flow between rooms can help disperse smells, but you can also cover it up using a diffuser. Essential oils are a great natural way to disperse good smells throughout your home, without having to rely on the chemicals or artificial smells. Cinnamon and citrus oils are particularly popular for covering up unpleasant odors.

Wall Décor

Canvases, photographs, and tapestries are wonderful ways to add a homey feel to a space. You might plan out a color scheme that wall art helps to tie together, or you may let your personal preferences lead and simply select images, patterns, and colors that appeal to your intuitive side. Contrasting colors, like colors, and tone on tone art are all options for beautifying a space. If you have outer walls that tend to get cold during the winter, consider covering them with hangings or tapestries. Not only does this look great, but it also provides a little extra insulation.

There are a lot of things that you can do to make your home a little more like you, but it doesn’t have to break the bank, and you can still stay natural. Use these tips to create your ideal living space.

• Arhaus is a furniture company that creates earth-friendly products, sharing tips on their infographic to inspire people to make small changes in their homes.
• People have been conditioned to think that "clean" should have a scent, however air fresheners are known to contain phthalates which when inhaled can be harmful.
• Air fresheners such as Febreze®, Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil and Renuzit® Cones should be avoided and replaced with fresh air, MamaSuds homemade organic essential oils, real wax candles from Mountain Rose Herbs, Aroma Naturals or Poofy Organics Candle Melts and diffusers with essential oils from Amazon.

In this post you will learn all about Phthalates and Fragrance, and why you should eliminate them from your life as much as possible. Phthalates (actually pronounced thal-ates) are a group of chemicals in a gajillion of products in your home. Concerns have been raised about phthalates because studies have found a link between phthalates and thyroid hormone levels in humans, and between phthalates and male reproductive health.

Phthalates can be found all over your house because they are in almost every product AND THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE LISTED ON THE INGREDIENT LIST.Most often, phthalates are disguised under the word "fragrance".

They are so widely used it's nearly impossible to eliminate them from your life, but there are some steps to reduce your exposure by eliminating products from your life. No doubt, this is difficult and daunting at first but if you do it slowly you can gradually take this toxin out of your home. The first step I took was to eliminate the products that said the word "fragrance" on them. If there wasn't a full ingredient list, I searched for it.

Try to find at least 2 cleaning products that have "fragrance" as an ingredient. The problem you may run into is finding label ingredients for some of your household cleaners. You will definitely need to look on the internet for these. Search for: "Tide ingredients". The ingredient lists are out there, but most companies try to hide them.

Did you find that any of the products you gathered happened to be air fresheners? We'll learn ways to replace your air fresheners next time. I hope you've learned all about phthalates and fragrance and have a better understanding why it's important to stop using them.