Beyond Herbal~

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) has introduced The Household Product Labeling Act (S. 1697), which would require household cleaning products to carry labels that list all of their ingredients.

“Moms and dads have a right to know whether harmful chemicals are present in their kitchen cupboards,” Franken says. “When my wife, Franni, and I were raising our own kids, we were constantly concerned with what we used to wash their cribs, their pacifiers, the floors and surfaces they played on. This is just a commonsense measure to help parents keep their kids safe and healthy.”

Current law requires product labels to list immediately hazardous ingredients, but there is no labeling requirement for ingredients that may cause harm over time.

Toxic chemicals in household products produce harmful health effects—the main reason we recommend natural and organic options.

The bill would make information readily available to consumers. HR 3057, the House companion bill, was introduced by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY).

In a 2007 report, Women's Voices for the Earth, an environmental advocacy organization, compiled information about the health risks of common household cleaners.

According to the "Household Hazards: Potential Hazard of Home Cleaning Products" report, certain chemicals found in cleaning products have been linked to increased rates of asthma, reproductive problems, and developmental delays.

The report said that some of the potentially harmful ingredients include: glycol ethers (found in several types of Pine Sol and Formula 409 cleaners), phthalates (found in many laundry detergents and fabric softeners), and monoethanolamine (found in many types of Tide, Dreft, Ivory, Gain, and Cheer detergents).

Earl said that fragrances added to cleaning products also pose health risks.

"A lot of us associate a clean home with a certain smell, like a lemony smell or a pine smell," she said. "And unfortunately, depending on how they've been manufactured, phthalates may have been used in creating that fragrancy scent, which can in turn cause health problems."

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A note from Bea at Sage Hill Farms~

All we need under our sink or in our cleaning closet is a few simple and safe products to make our home sparkling clean, disinfected and filled with a healthy and aromatic scent.

1) Plain old White Vinegar
2) Baking Soda
3) A few..one or as many as you like...Essential Oils...(always use a therapeutic grade)

Deodorizing: Kitchens and Bathrooms, etc.

The kitchen and bathroom are often a source of odors and bacteria. use the following mixtures to freshen, deodorize, and disinfect the air, work areas, cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, carpets, etc. These blends are safe for the family and for the environment.

Since the oils separate easily from water, always shake well and keep on shaking the bottle as you use these mixtures. They will deodorize and clean the air instead of covering the odors.

Single oils: Rosemary, Lemon, Eucalyptus , and Lavender.

Blends: to one quart of water~

2 drops rosemary
4 drops lemon
3 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.

3-4 drops lavender
5-6 drops Purification with 1 quart of water
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.

Pine with chamomile, lemongrass, or clove

You can also just add a few drops of the pure oil to a soft clean cloth and wipe down the entire kitchen and bathroom.

These cleaning methods freshen the air, kills germs and bacteria, mold, dust mites, and any other creepy invader that might be lurking and waiting to attack.

And the biggest plus is the wonderful aroma it imparts...fresh and clean and lovely.

Add a drop of essential oil to your dishwater ( dishwasher if you use one ) not only does it clean and disinfect, it too will fill the kitchen with a wonderful aroma. Lemon oil is perfect for this.

I can't think of a single household task that you can't use essential oil to complete. From cooking to cleaning...how awesome, safe, and affordable.

What's not to love ?

Make it a Fruitful February~

Bea Kunz