The Daily Crunch: Fragrance Equals Toxic Chemicals

Fragrance equals toxic chemicals on your skin, hair, clothes, bedsheets, in your lungs and bloodstream! Yuck!
Used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, air fresheners, deodorizers, shampoos, hair sprays, gels, lotions, sunscreens, soaps, perfumes, powders, and scented candles—and dozens of other products . . .

synthetic fragrances may be the most common type of toxic chemical in your house.

Fragrances are a class of chemicals that are well worth the time and effort to avoid. The term “fragrance” or “parfum” on personal-care-product labels can be a cover for hundreds of harmful chemicals known to be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and reproductive toxicants even at low levels.

What to use instead: Go the unscented route whenever possible, especially with soaps and detergents. Avoid any kind of air freshener or deodorizer, including sprays, gels, solid disks, and oils, suggests Anne Steinemann, PhD, a University of Washington researcher who focuses on fragrances in consumer products. “These products do not clean or disinfect the air, but they do add hazardous chemicals to the air we breathe,” she says. “Instead of chemical air fresheners, freshen the air with better ventilation and by setting out some baking soda,” she suggests. You also can place a bowl of white vinegar in a room to dispel a funky smell.

Here are some Crunchville Fragrance-Free Favorites:

• Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Soap -- This is the only body soap we use at our house . .  in the bath and as hand soap in foaming pumps.
• Kiss My Face Deodorant Stick Natural Active Life Aluminum & Fragrance Free -- I thought I'd never find a crunchy alternative to Secret, but this one works really well for me and I love not poisoning myself with my deodorant everyday.
• Spectrum Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil -- Coconut oil is so multipurpose! You can replace your moisturizer, shaving cream, body lotion, conditioner*, hair gel*, personal lubricant :-), etc with this versatile gem! *Be careful putting it in your hair at first. It only works for some hair types. Sadly, mine is not one of them.
• Seventh Generation Natural Free & Clear Dish Liquid Soap -- Works just as well as Palmolive or Dawn, but it's not poisoning you and your family.
• Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls -- Skip the toxic and often expensive fabric softener or dryer sheets in favor of these natural and reusable dryer balls. After you stop using those harsh, chemically-scented products, you will notice just how nasty they truly smell when you do encounter them on other peoples' clothes or in their homes.

Sources: 

http://rodale.menshealth.com/12-household-toxins-you-should-banish-your-home?page=3

http://www.regardingcaroline.com/fragrance