Our friends at ecostore have come up with some thought provoking ideas about cleaning products, what goes into them and how they may affect your baby’s skin. Here’s what they say…

"We understand some of the changes you might be going through as a new parent. (Lots of us at here at ecostore have been there too!) You want to do what's best for your baby but it can be a bit overwhelming when you need to make decisions about everything from car seats to nappy rash. We don’t have all the answers but we can offer have some practical suggestions to help you do the right thing for your baby and hopefully make your life (and theirs) a whole lot simpler and easier!

Our skin is the largest organ in our body; it lives and breathes, yet is relatively defenceless easily absorbing everyday chemicals it comes into contact with. Babies' skin is about five times thinner than ours and is a lot more permeable, in other words; what goes on their skin gets absorbed into their body’s in some form. And once in there, it can have a surprisingly strong effect.* Laundry products are a good example - they can leave residues of synthetic chemicals in clothes, nappies, and bed linen which are in contact with your baby’s skin 24 hours a day. Perspiration can re-activate these harmful chemical residues exacerbating conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

Not all chemicals are bad – water is a chemical after all but here are some of the nasty chemicals it pays to look out for:

• Enzymes in laundry products - If residual enzymes are trapped in your clothing/sheets/underwear they are up against your skin day and night. Enzymes can be reactivated by sweat and moisture - and start doing the job they were designed for, which is removing fats and protein - on your skin and potentially causing allergic reactions or other health complications.
• Optical whiteners - These are added to conventional laundry powders and are meant to make clothes ‘appear’ whiter and brighter by absorbing UV light and reflecting it back. However to work these chemicals need to stay in your clothing after washing. This is a problem because they can cause an allergic reaction with your skin when exposed to sunlight; they don’t break down easily and are toxic to aquatic life.
• Synthetic dyes or perfumes – these are typically used to disguise odours but are a common trigger for people who are chemically sensitive. They are made from petroleum and not readily biodegradable and toxic to fish and mammals.

*Study by: K.B Michels, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. Pub Online, May 12 2009 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives.

Tips for a Healthier Home for you and your family
Washing
• Try to use the most energy and resource efficient washing machine possible. Front-loading machines only use up to 60 Liters of water while top-loading machines use 140 liters of water. But if that's not an option for you right now there are ways to get the most out of your top loading machine:
• Washing one large load of washing uses less energy and less water than two medium or small loads, so make sure to fill your machine to capacity. Be careful not to overload so clothes can still move freely and be cleaned efficiently.
• Did you know some spot stains can easily be removed without the need for a full wash so you can wear your clothes more than once.
• When do the washing, try to use eco friendly laundry products. Conventional laundry cleaners can contain ingredients that aren't good for you, your clothes, or the environment. To find better alternatives, look for labels that indicate a product is made from plant and mineral based ingredients (instead of petroleum-based). These tend to be kinder to your skin as well.

 Drying
• Clothes last longer when you line dry them because there's less wear and tear than when you use the dryer. And you’ll save electricity and money - Next to your fridge your clothes dryer is the second biggest household user of electricity.
•  Line drying your clothes will not only help decrease your power bill but this also means the sun’s UV rays can act as a sterilising agent and kill bacteria so you don’t have to wash your clothes as often.
• Some people say that adding vinegar to the rinse water (1/2 cup per load) helps prevent any drying stiffness. It removes soap residues that cause stiffness and, as the clothing dries, the odor disappears (we haven't actually tested this one though so don't try it on your best silk shirt).
• You can increase efficiency and shorten drying time when using your clothes dryer by frequently cleaning the lint filter.
• Though Energy Star doesn't rate dryers, a good moisture sensor is the best thing to look for if you're shopping for a new clothes dryer.

 Dry Cleaning
• Try to minimise the need for conventional dry-cleaning by avoiding dry-clean only garments or by seeking environmentally-friendly cleaners. Conventional drycleaners use harmful chemicals such as perchloroethylene (perc), which research studies have shown may be dangerous to our health and to the health of the people who work there. Exposure to this chemical has been linked to increased risks of cancer, eye, nose, throat and skin irritation; and reduced fertility.

Clean out your cleaning cupboards
• When it comes to keeping a clean home for your new baby, don't go overboard and create a sterile environment. In fact not all bacteria are bad. We need to protect ourselves from the nasty bacteria without harming the good bacteria. This is really important for your baby to develop a healthy immune system.
• Keep in mind that fumes from any spray cleaners you might use in the bathroom or kitchen (including oven cleaners) are often loaded with some fairly toxic solvents, perfumes and antibacterial agents which aren’t dissimilar to pesticides. Plant based cleaners made from citrus are a good alternative - they are naturally antibacterial and can tackle the heavy duty jobs job of some nasty solvent based cleaners. When it comes to breathing, keep in mind that children actually inhale more air than adults do so it pays to be mindful about using spray cleaners in the same room as your baby.
• Check out the ingredients of your baby care products. The average baby hygiene product contains a complex mix of chemicals to make it froth, glide or bubble, as well as various fragrances, preservatives and colours. While these do go through individual product safety tests there has been relatively little research done on the overall effects of combining the chemicals in all of these products. In fact research we found stated that ‘Most children have measurable levels of at least 300 groups of chemicals in their bodies, taken in through food, household or garden chemicals, cosmetics and even the air they breathe’ (Dr Vyvyan Howard, University of Liverpool).

Other tips
• As a new parent, there’ll be lots of nappy changes and you’ll find yourself forever in the bathroom washing your hands. It’s so easy to reach for the anti-bacterial hand wash or soap, thinking that it’s safer. The reality is that antibacterial soaps and washes have no better cleaning properties than normal soap, and are often loaded with nasty chemicals like Triclosan that strip your skin of its natural oils, and can aggravate the skin, leaving it red and itchy.
•  Avoid those lemony fresh aerosol sprays. Dusting sprays are designed to cover large areas fast, but in doing so they also cover the insides of your nose with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which have been known to cause cancer and other adverse health effects.
• Dust and bacteria can be removed from children’s toys by putting them in the freezer in a bag for 3-5 hours once a week. Or by using a lightly scented or unscented eco friendly antibacterial spray.
• Dust mites are tiny organisms hiding in your bedding and can wreak havoc on your allergies and breathing. To combat them, replace pillows annually, use dust mite covers on your mattress and pillows and wash your bedding regularly.

ecostore
If you are looking for ways to have a healthier family and home, ecostore can help. After 18 years at the forefront of eco science, we now have a range of cleaning, body and baby care products manufactured in our own Enviro-Mark Diamond awarded, ISO 14001 accredited factory in New Zealand. Our products are:
• Plant and mineral based and free of nasty chemicals
• Independently tested to perform comparably to (or better than) leading brands
• Super-concentrated so the cost per use is actually lower than many conventional supermarket brands
• Safe for septic tanks and grey water safe for lawns and trees
And of course all our products are GE free and not tested on animals. In 2009 we were recognised as New Zealand Sustainable Business of the Year. Visit www.ecostore.co.nz to learn more."

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