'Healthing' With Toxic Chemicals?

I just saw a Lysol commercial on YouTube. My jaw dropped. Not because it was so good but because I'm appalled that a company that makes highly toxic cleaning chemicals would stoop so low to market their toxic products to unsuspecting parents who are trying to make healthy choices. How peculiar that it looks awfully similar to a Seventh Generation commercial from several years ago, going for the same feel of 'natural' and 'good for families'. Number one brand recommended by pediatricians? It certainly shows that they don't have much of a clue either.

"Banish those germs and viruses!" seems to be the horn to toot. But at what cost? Replacing colds and flu with chronic, debilitating, life-altering diseases that result from toxic chemicals is hardly justifiable. 

Do they really think we are that gullible? For starters, let's look at the ingredients in many Lysol products, just in case some of you aren't aware (every Lysol product contains at least one of these in same or similar form):

Benzalkonium Chloride: biocide, preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies, especially dangerous for people with asthma or skin conditions such as eczema... Regular use of products containing antimicrobials such as bezalkonium chloride could lead to the development of resistant bacteria in homes and food processing facilities.

Fragrance: Evidence of skin irritation/allergies/damage; acute aquatic toxicity, nervous system effects.

Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, Benzyl-C8-18-Alkyldimethyl, Chlorides: Asthmagen, very toxic to aquatic life, causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

Ethylene oxide: Known to cause reproductive toxicity in females, asthmagen, may cause genetic defects, central nervous system impairment, known to be a human carcinogen.

Those are just a few of the many, many ingredients in Lysol products - and most conventional brand name cleaning products as well.

Of course that's a problem, but the bigger problem is that the use of these toxic products is advertised as 'healthy'!

Not only are we filling our homes with ingredients that cause cancer, asthma, nervous system issues, and skin problems - we are also killing all the beneficial bacteria that is necessary for life and for creating immunity to diseases.

We are creating bubble, 'manicured green lawn' environments for our children where they grow in a sterilized environment and in turn become sick from every little germ they encounter. Is it any wonder that autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing?

Kids need dirt and germs to prevent the development of allergies. We need to let our kids be kids. There are plenty of toxin free alternatives to disinfecting in 'germ breeding' spaces like schools and hospitals. Plus the alternatives are much, much cheaper than brand name cleaning chemicals (think vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, lemons, etc.). These will not promote the breeding of super bugs in our homes, schools, and hospitals.

So what's it going to be Lysol? Will you continue pushing your deceptive marketing on unsuspecting moms? Are you going to be part of the problem or the solution? Why not overhaul your toxic ingredients list instead of pouring money into deceptive marketing?

What about us? As consumers we can vote with our wallet. You know what? Your wallet will thank you because homemade cleaners can be just as effective and much cheaper - not to mention they will not cause cancer or other severe health problems.

Solutions: Homemade Cleaners

Check out your cleaning products on EWG's database

How do you keep your home clean without the use of toxic chemicals? 

What do you think of Lysol's deceiving marketing? Did you know what their products contain?