I detoxed my kitchen cleaners by replacing them with Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar and Aunt Fannie’s Flypunch! as part of a sponsored post for Aunt Fannie’s. #HealthierHousekeeping
Cleaning. It’s the last refuge of moms, and the first thing to go by the wayside when you discover your child has very intensive special needs, allergies or disabilities. I mean, let’s be real – who the heck has time for cleaning when you’re spending all your time managing your child, her therapies, her education, her learning, her diet and more?
The problem is that cleaning can’t wait. I have tried that – and it makes thing get old, crusty and germ-ridden. If you don’t frequently quick clean and periodically deep clean, you can have long term problems with dirt causing more allergies or sensitivities. And then you need to replace dirty old objects…and who has the extra budget for that?
Regular cleaning is now on the schedule for me. But the reality is that those products that are on your cleaning shelf can be dangerous. Here is a not short and in-no-way complete list of what may be in your cleaning products:
- Artificial fragrances made up of unregulated and unnamed chemicals, so there’s no way to know if they are harmful. I always stick to products that use disclosed essential oils for a scent.
- Endocrine disruptors, like phthalates, that can play havoc with sexual and breast development, causes birth defects, and possibly reduce IQ in children.
- Unnamed preservatives or surfactants, which can be made from toxic chemicals.
- Artificial dyes, which are not necessarily labeled “artificial.” These have been linked to ADHD, and are possibly linked to other health problems ranging from allergies to cancer.
- Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and allergen.
- Ammonia is an irritant and poisonous as well.
There is also the question of how these ingredients are labeled. Is it clear or vague? Are all the ingredients in one place or all over the bottle? Do you want your child near these products? Personally, I don’t feel safe if I’m not certain what is actually in the product I’m cleaning with. Kids come near this stuff on a regular basis, and kids with allergies and sensitivities can be in harm’s way from our cleaning products.
How To Detox Your Cleaning Routine
I’m going to say this: don’t start your detox by not cleaning! Continue those good cleaning habits while striving for healthier housekeeping. Here’s how:
- Use non-toxic, plastic-free, chemical-free products for cleaning, like flannel or old cotton cloths.
- Toss out cleaning products with the ingredients listed above or anything that makes you or your kids sneeze.
- Take stock of what needs to be deep-cleaned and how to handle that in a non-toxic way. If something has been unattended too long, you may need to replace the item or live with the stain.
- Set a cleaning schedule – daily, weekly, monthly. Include all parts of your home and all the items, making logical choices for what makes sense. While you’re at it, assign some of those chores to your kids.
- Buy sensible, non-toxic cleaning products.
Why DIY Is Not For Everyone
Creating your own cleaning products is not necessarily for everyone. Here are 3 reasons why I avoid homemade cleaners:
- The work is time consuming. I really don’t need to lengthen the time I spend cleaning!
- You need extra ingredients. I go nuts when I see “this formula really works!” only to learn that there is some substance in it I’ve never heard of and have no idea where to buy.
- It’s inconsistent. Sure, today that scrubbing formula works great, but next week, not so much. And yet, I swear I’d made the exact measurements! Ah, the subtleties of chemistry…
Non-Toxic Cleaning Solutions With Aunt Fannie’s
What’s the solution? Well, I’ve discovered a fantastic new product that meets my standards for safety – Aunt Fannie’s.
What Makes Aunt Fannie’s Different
Like so many new companies that I love to share with you, this one was founded by a concerned parent. When Mat Franken’s son was a toddler, he started struggling with stomach problems, eczema, asthma and mood swings not in line with his sweet nature. Mat soon learned that his little boy had severe, life-threatening allergies. The next few years were spent detoxing his home. His son improved, but still struggled more than Mat was comfortable with. After exhausting all his options, he realized that it wasn’t just food that was triggering his allergies. It was the chemicals too – like cleaning products.
With that, Aunt Fannie’s Inc. was born to address all those dangerous chemicals in cleaning products and pest solutions that can harm kids with allergies and sensitivities. Their cleaning products are made from food-based ingredients. That makes me feel safe using it around my family and even letting my kids help with the cleaning. Does it work? Well, this weekend my husband volunteered to scrub the bathroom (yes, he’s a keeper!) and when he was done, he said, “WOW. I really love this cleaner. It works better than anything we’ve tried so far.” He was so happy I might let him clean the bathroom more often 🙂
Aunt Fannie’s mission is to reduce the use of toxic and unsafe chemicals so that we can all protect our families from the dangers of conventional products. Their Healthier Housekeeping mission is to help you live cleaner, easier and safer. They sent me a sampling to try some of their available products, which can be found in Whole Foods, Amazon, Lucky Vitamin, Thrive Market and on their own website. Just what do they make? They will soon be launching a full line including Aunt Fannie’s All Purpose Pest Remedy, Cleaning Vinegar Wipes, Glass & Window Vinegar Wash, and Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash. Here’s what I got to sample:
Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegars
When you think “cleaning vinegar,” probably your nose squinches up. Who really wants a house smelling like vinegar? Well, that’s not a problem with Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegars are made from artisanal vinegars and actually smell nice. They are made from food safe ingredients and safe for food contact surfaces yet provide commercial grade cleaning power. They are available in 3 varieties: Sweet Mandarin, Eucalyptus, and Fresh Lime Mint. Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar Sweet Mandarin is my favorite!
Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch!
Do you get fruit flies? I do. It mainly happens because my kids do this with my bathroom trash container:
10,000 times a day I tell them “throw out your food in the kitchen!” and they always forget. We’ve also gotten them from bananas and just because we always buy a lot of fruit – like the half bushel of apples we got 2 weeks ago. They are so annoying, especially when you’re trying to slowly sip a glass of red wine while watching a movie…fruit flies love dipping in the vino. YUCK. But Flypunch! is so easy to use. Just open and place out of reach of children!
