How to Identify and Avoid All Scented Products for Non-Toxic Living

Non-toxic living is a conscious lifestyle choice by individuals to buy and use products that cause the least amount of harm to the living environment. Non-toxic living can help people avoid abrasive chemicals, which can help alleviate symptoms of long-term illnesses like asthma. Protect yourself and your family from toxic products by avoiding items that are artificially scented. Find out how you can by following these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• List of chemicals in scented products

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Instructions

Understand Types of Toxins Used In Household Products

• 1

  Avoid all products with artificial, petroleum-based coloring. Review the contents of an individual product by reading the label carefully, looking for artificial color agents and dyes like "FD & C Red No. 2."

• 2

  Get rid of cleaners and deodorizers that contain artificial perfumes or scents. These artificial agents contain toxic petroleum-based chemicals. When used in the home, they can exacerbate asthma and decrease air quality.

• 3

  Steer away from all tile and counter cleaners that contain ammonia or chlorine. Many name brand cleaners contain these chemicals, which are skin irritants and can be toxic with long-term use.

• 4

  Shop for cleaning products packaged in reasonable sizes. Large spray bottles and jugs may be appealing for bargain-minded consumers; but with them comes more toxins in your home. Avoid these products and try to identify smaller, less toxic or non-toxic alternatives.

Choose Non-Toxic Products for the Home

• 5

  Research alternative cleaning products on the Web. There are a number of non-toxic living sites that offer tips on common household products that can be used in lieu of name brand cleaners. These Web sites help consumers identify what to look for in a non-toxic product. Start at the "Better Basics" Web site (see Resources below).

• 6

  Look for the word "biodegradable" on cleaning product labels. Biodegradable cleaning products are better for the environment. They contain natural ingredients. Biodegradable products are less abrasive. They won't contribute to air quality issues.

• 7

  Make sure the rest of your household knows how to identify both toxic and non-toxic products. Make sure each family member understands which products should not be purchased as well as how to analyze an ingredients label.