Smartklean's Blog

Do the Math – a film by 350.org

smartklean — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:52:12 +0000

On Sunday, April 21st, 350.org will premiere a film about their work and growing movement and their new film, “Do the Math”. Check out the trailer! It tells the story of the rising movement to change the terrifying math of the climate crisis and the fight against the fossil fuel industry. Please share and spread awareness!

Do the Math

Happy International Women’s Day!

smartklean — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:30:24 +0000

SmartKlean was started by a woman – a hardworking mother and her 3 children who decided to make an impact against toxins lurking in laundry and careless waste in the environment. Why do we celebrate women’s day? Because women have an infinite capacity to love, care and nurture others. For millennia, women have left their mark on the world, at times changing the course of history and at other times influencing small but significant spheres of life. So today we celebrate women for their wonderful qualities that are positively impacting the world. Here are a few beautiful quotes by women that influence and inspire us.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”- Mother Teresa

“As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.”
― Virginia Woolf

“There were always in me, two women at least, one woman desperate and bewildered, who felt she was drowning and another who would leap into a scene, as upon a stage, conceal her true emotions because they were weaknesses, helplessness, despair, and present to the world only a smile, an eagerness, curiosity, enthusiasm, interest.” ― Anaïs Nin

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

The Beauty of Fragrance-Free Laundry

smartklean — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:19:41 +0000

So many love that our laundry ball leaves clothes smelling neutral, like fresh-cotton. No added fragrances = no worries.

Chemical perfumes cover our body’s natural scent! You are gifted with a full natural body and skin scent that can be pleasant and comforting to others. You don’t need to wear perfumes and fragrances on your clothes unless you want your natural scent to be layered. Most chemical-laden laundry detergents use toxic fragrances to disguise the smell of laundry that is not fully clean. Even those that are ‘unscented’!

What’s the difference?

“Fragrance-free” does mean that there is nothing added to the product, but unscented is a whole different ball game. In fact, “unscented” is a fragrance additive, used to mask any other chemical smells, and it most likely contains phthalates. What’s bothersome is that phthalates are known hormone disruptors and can affect fertility in both men and women.

One should also ALWAYS consider that some people around you might be more sensitive to chemical fragrances than you are. Children are the most sensitive to fragrance.

○ 5.1% of children who are dermatology patients are sensitized to fragrance

○ 18% of children diagnosed with eczema in one study are sensitized to fragrance

○ 2%-11% of people are sensitized to fragrance

○ Tens of millions of people in the US are sensitized to common fragrance ingredients

When you stop using perfumes and fragrances, your sense of smell becomes much more sensitive to the wonderful, subtle smells that nature has to offer.

11 Ways to Detox Your Home

smartklean — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:22:17 +0000

When you think about detoxing, you may think first about your body. But there are other ways to detox, and in a world that’s loaded with nasty chemicals, it makes sense to take a moment every now and then to clean up your lifestyle and eliminate as many of these as possible. Many everyday products in the home can contain potentially harmful chemicals, some that are even linked to cancer.

Fortunately, with just a few adjustments, you can make your home much safer for you and your family.

KITCHEN
The family spends a lot of time here, and this is where you cook food, so this is a good place to start your home detox.

1. Canned foods, plastic containers, water bottles, and more may contain bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been linked with hormone disruption, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and developmental problems. Choose foods in boxes and glass containers or BPA-free containers.

2. Bleached paper products like coffee filters and parchment paper may be contaminated not only with bleach, but a by-product called “dioxins,” which can also be carcinogenic. Use natural, unbleached paper products.

3. Tap water may be contaminated with chromium VI, which is a carcinogen. A 2010 study by the Environmental Working Group found the chemical in 31 out of the 34 American cities sampled. Look for either a carbon tap-mounted filter or pitcher, or a reverse osmosis filter.

BEDROOM

If you work outside of the home, the bedroom may be where you spend the most time in your house. Plus, you sleep there, so it’s doubly important it be an environment that’s good for your health.

4. Furniture can give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pollute indoor air and lead to skin irritation and respiratory problems. Varnishes, finishes, particle board, and other materials are the biggest culprits. Look for furniture made from solid wood, or those that use low-VOC materials and finishes.

5. Candles, though soothing and romantic, can emit toxins like astoluene and benzene. Choose those made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean, or beeswax, and those that are made with 100% essential oils—not synthetic fragrance.

6. Dust in the bedroom or any room in the house can contain phthalates, flame-retardants, disinfectants, pesticides, and other potentially toxic ingredients. Regularly wipe down furniture with a wet or microfiber cloth, and vacuum regularly. An air filter in your bedroom may also be a good idea, particularly if you suffer from allergies.

BATHROOM

You’re likely aware of the danger of germs in the bathroom, but what about toxins? Here are a few to watch out for.

7. Air fresheners, according to a 2007 survey conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, have hormone-disrupting phthalates and can react with indoor air to produce even more dangerous toxins like benzene derivatives and aldehydes. Try an air purifier instead, natural candles, or essential oils.

8. Antibacterial hand soap often contains triclosan, which may be contributing to the formation of “super bugs” that are resistant to antibiotics. In addition, triclosan can also expose you to dioxins. The FDA says good old soap and water are just as effective in killing germs.

9. Mold anywhere in the house can lead to upper respiratory problems, sore throat, and skin irritation. It’s most common in the bathroom, however, because of the moisture and limited ventilation. If you’ve painted over it and it keeps coming back, contact a mold remediation company in your area. They can test the air level of mold spore counts and suggest solutions.

10. Cleaners in your bathroom cabinets can be some of the most toxic products of all. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health (July 2010) found that everyday household cleaners and air fresheners could contribute to cancer risk. Choose safer cleansers and continue using vinegar and baking soda when you can.

GARAGE

11. No big surprise here, right? Most of us store things like antifreeze, car batteries, pesticides, and gasoline in the garage. The problem is when they’re within reach of children or pets. Be sure to store them carefully, and dispose of toxic products in recommended ways.Stay protected from toxic exposure in your home! Taking the time to follow these simple steps can prevent any future diseases or discomforts.

10 Dirty Facts about Laundry Detergents

smartklean — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:43:49 +0000

Laundry Detergents are used to take away grease, grime, germs, stains, scum–but they also leave something behind. We breathe their fumes and absorb their residues through our skin. We send them down the drain and into the world where they affect the delicate chemistry of ecosystems. So what is the right balance? When do cleaning agents become a greater contaminant than the dirt they are designed to clean? And what about all those plastic bottles?!

Here are 10 dirty facts about laundry detergents that may surprise you and hopefully influence you to rethink the products you are using to clean your clothes.

1. Laundry Detergents are NOT soap. Their main ingredients are chemicals derived from petroleum. Popular laundry surfactants like nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) and linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) have been linked to disruptions in the endocrine system. Such disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and developmental disorders like ADD, sexual development problems; they can affect potentially anything hormone-related.

2. Manufacturers are not obligated by U.S. law to list all ingredients in consumer products.

3. Studies by Clemson University show that detergents leave chemical residues on fabrics – as much as a FULL SCOOP of detergent after just 10 washings.

4. Petrochemicals and other toxins in laundry detergents are fat soluble – meaning they are easily absorbed by the skin, specially during perspiration.

5. Fragrance in detergents are made of pthalates – known to be particularly dangerous for children’s health, and has been known to cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage), infertility, ADHD, thyroid problems, diabetes and pre-diabetes.

6. Optical Brighteners do not clean. They add a film of chemical residue on clothing to make whites ‘appear’ brighter. These often contain benzene – a known carcinogen. They also irritate the skin because they are specifically designed to not rinse away.

7. Popular “eco-friendly” laundry detergents such as Seventh Generation and Ecover contain SLS and SLES – chemicals known to be toxic to humans and aquatic life. These companies list these toxic ingredients on their websites but not on their product labels.

8. In 2012, Women’s Voices for the Earth found high levels of cancer causing chemical 1,4 dioxane in Tide, Free & Gentle Detergent – a product marketed towards moms for their infant’s laundry.

9. In 1997, the FDA reported that APE’s (Ethoxylated Alcohol Surfactants) are contaminated with carcinogens. Tests conducted by the Washington Toxics Coalition found that supermarket or drugstore labels are more likely to contain APE’s.

10. The manufacturing process of these cleaners release carcinogens and toxins into the environment that are slow to biodegrade and toxic to aquatic life, damaging the gills of fish and killing their eggs. They change the surface tension of water, causing fish to absorb more pollutants like pesticides. They cause algae bloom which chokes waterways, depletes water of oxygen, and destroys aquatic habitats.

So what are you supposed to do with those mounds of dirty laundry? There are many different alternatives out there. Some use less soap. Others make their own laundry detergents with simple ingredients. Some use soap nuts. These are all better options for your health and our ecosystem. But after much trial and error over the years, our family decided that the SmartKlean laundry ball is the easiest to use and lasts for so long ( an entire year on average) that we don’t ever have to deal with making our own soap solutions or measuring. And there’s no chemistry involved. The ball simply helps the water clean.

But no matter which product you prefer to use, always inspect and research its ingredients. Find out if there is an MSDS available for the product (Material Safety Data Sheet) which normally contains a full disclosure of all the ingredients used. And also pay attention to the type of container it comes in. Of course the less plastic you use overtime, the better. We hope this article has been helpful for you.

Happy and safe cleanings! Your body and your planet will thank you.

A woman with a huge potential to change the world.

smartklean — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:57:21 +0000

This amazing woman is a mother, doctor, health / environmental activist and now a politician. You probably haven’t heard of her because most of the mainstream media is run by corporate interests that won’t ever want the public to even consider Third Parties.

Jill Stein is a candidate of the Green Party - the ONLY National party not bought or paid for by corporate money. “Dr. Stein is the ONLY presidential candidate recognized by the federal government as a serious candidate, as evidenced by the fact that she alone among general election candidates has qualified for federal public financing.” Isn’t that, on it’s own, amazing?

PLEASE take some time to watch her videos and speeches and consider her for your vote. And if you are a US Citizen, PLEASE VOTE! The video below of the Green Party debate was hosted by RT (Russia Today) with Larry King and of course, not aired in any mainstream media in the US. So any of these videos is a MUST share to raise awareness via internet about her and the Green Party. At least to present more options (and better because they cover the real core issues affecting the world today) for US elections. Please share this with as many people as possible.

Rewrite: Third Party Candidates Debate 2012″ – The Last Word w/ Lawrence O’Donnell

Third Party Debate FULL
http://rt.com/usa/news/third-party-debate-us-election-094/

RT – JILL STEIN: US Political System Hostile to Americans

THE DYNAMIC VISION OF THE GREEN PARTY

More Jill Stein Videos
http://www.jillstein.org/video

Jill Stein Campaign website
http://www.jillstein.org/

Jill Stein Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/drjillstein

Green Party website
http://www.gp.org/index.php

Natural DIY Cleaning Solution for Hard Water Stains.

smartklean — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:01:20 +0000

To clean hard-water stains and scale from the sink, sprinkle baking soda over the sink then wipe down with a vinegar-soaked sponge. For tough stains use an eraser-style scrubber sponge.

Hardwater stains in a porcelain sink or tub can be scrubbed with cream of tartar sprinkle on a damp sponge. For really tough stains, try applying 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the scale. Let soak a few minutes before wiping away.

To clean the drain ring, put a dab of toothpaste on an old toothbrush and brush in a circular motion, paying special attention to the groove around the ring.

For stubborn hard-water scale, soak a cloth in vinegar and let it sit on the stain for an hour or more. Wipe with the cloth when finished. Lemon juice can be used in the same fashion as vinegar to combat drain scale.

Food MythBusters: Do we really need industrial agriculture to feed the world?

smartklean — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:19:58 +0000

Have you heard the myth that we need industrial agriculture to feed the world? The biggest players in the food industry—from pesticide pushers to fertilizer makers to food processors and manufacturers—spend billions of dollars every year not selling food, but selling the idea that we need their products to feed the world. But, do we really need industrial agriculture to feed the world? Can sustainably grown food deliver the quantity and quality we need—today and in the future? This Food MythBusters film answers these questions and more in under seven minutes. Next time you hear them, you can too.

12 Toxic and Carcinogenic Compounds Found in Personal Care Products

smartklean — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:24:33 +0000

right click + view image

Print it out and use it! Stay safe and don’t give away your money to companies that don’t care about your health.

Remember: every purchase is a vote and health is wealth!

Popular ‘green’ products test positive for toxicant

smartklean — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:08:33 +0000

A cancer-causing chemical is found in almost half of 100 such goods studied.

New tests of 100 “natural” and “organic” soaps, shampoos and other consumer products show that nearly half of them contained a cancer-causing chemical that is a byproduct of petrochemicals used in manufacturing.

Many items that tested positive for the carcinogen are well-known brands, including Kiss My Face, Alba, Seventh Generation and Nature’s Gate products, sold in retail stores across the nation.

The findings of the Organic Consumers Assn., a consumer advocacy group, are sending a jolt through the natural products industry. Gathering today in Anaheim for a national trade show, many leaders worry that the test results will taint the industry in the eyes of the public.

Of the 100 products tested, 47 had detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, which the Environmental Protection Agency has declared a probable human carcinogen because it causes cancer in lab animals.

Most traditional soaps and shampoos contain 1,4-dioxane. But the discovery that the chemical is present in many housecleaning and personal care products, including some for babies, that are advertised as being natural, organic or “green” comes as somewhat of a surprise.

“For companies to knowingly or even carelessly put a carcinogen into commerce in this day and age is barbaric, I think, particularly products that have the moniker of natural or self-proclaimed ‘organic,’ ” said consumer advocate and author David Steinberg, who directed the study.

The compound is not intentionally added to products; it is a byproduct of a process used to soften harsh detergents. It is formed when foaming agents, or surfactants, are processed with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.

Said Martin Wolf, Seventh Generation Inc.’s director of product and environmental technology, “The natural world is filled with things that can harm. . . . All we can do is work as hard as we can to keep the levels as low as possible and keep our products as safe as possible.”

Hain Celestial Group, the Boulder, Colo.-based owner of four of the tested companies — Alba, Jason, Avalon Organics and Zia Natural Skincare — said Thursday that it would reevaluate all of its products. Two Alba and three Jason products contained 1,4-dioxane, but the chemical was not detected in tested Avalon and Zia products.

“We are committed to selling products without detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane . . . and will review all formulations accordingly,” said Lisa Lehndorff, Hain Celestial’s director of corporate consumer relations.

No one knows exactly what amount of the compound may be unsafe. In scientific studies, lab animals that had been fed 1,4-dioxane for many weeks developed nasal, liver and gall bladder cancers. But scientists do not now know what, if any, cancer risk humans face from years-long use of products containing the chemical.

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates cosmetics, has set no standards for 1,4-dioxane. The agency has occasionally tested products for the compound since the late 1970s and says levels of it have substantially declined since then. The FDA says the current levels “do not present a hazard to consumers,” although it has advised the industry to reduce amounts in cosmetics as much as possible.

Josef Koester of Cognis Corp., a Cincinnati-based chemical company that caters to manufacturers seeking “green” compounds, said most companies can avoid 1,4-dioxane but that it “typically requires a higher price point and sometimes performance restrictions for the product. How green the formulators want to go — it is their choice.”

No standards govern the words natural or organic for personal care products. But a few companies, including TerrEssentials, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and Sensibility Soaps Inc., which makes the Nourish brand, have certified their products as organic under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food standards.

But because the vast majority of shampoos, soaps and other consumer goods do not carry the USDA organic seal, it’s nearly impossible for buyers to know whether the ones they use contain 1,4-dioxane because the chemical is not listed on ingredient labels. Products most likely to contain the compound usually list polyethylene glycol or compounds with the syllables PEG, short for polyethylene glycol, -eth or -oxynol-, according to the FDA.

Dishwashing liquids are particularly hard to keep free of 1,4-dioxane because they require surfactants that are powerful grease cutters.

Seventh Generation uses coconut oil in its dish soaps, which although it is processed with a petrochemical and vacuum-stripped, still contains almost 2 parts per million of 1,4-dioxane. Wolf said the only way to remove all traces would be to use another surfactant that irritates skin, which the Burlington, Vt.-based company considers unacceptable.

Seventh Generation is “working with several surfactant manufacturers to look for alternatives to this process to modify coconut oil,” Wolf said. “We’re not there yet. We have more work to do.”

Source: LA Times