Temen got sick and I got anxious. I felt hopeless. I felt like I wasn’t in control, and that I had no say in her health. I was spinning and so was my anxiety. With a suppressed immune system due to her prophylactic antibiotics, she ALWAYS had a cold.
So I started cleaning. And cleaning. And cleaning. It was a way for me to get my anxiety out and a way to keep bad germs away. I couldn’t fix her kidneys, but I can make her environment as germ free as possible for her.
It helped me feel in control. That is, until I found myself refusing to clean with her around because of the chemicals. I didn’t want her playing on the floor after I washed it… because of the chemicals. I was airing out the kitchen, airing out the upstairs, to get the smell of the chemicals out of the house.
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler, Evano Community (link: https://evano.community)
If I’m so committed to keeping my house clean for the health of my family, how did that make sense? Germs are bad, but so are toxic chemicals. Right? So I read ingredients on the cleaning supplies I was using. I researched chemicals. What I found was first and foremost terrifying, but it gave me power. It equipped me with the knowledge to make the best decisions for my family.
I know what is in our house now – and it’s not toxic chemicals that disrupt your endocrine system. I don’t have to air out my house after I clean, or worry about Temen walking on the ground after I clean it. I don’t have to worry about Lola licking her paws after walking on the floor and ingesting harsh chemicals.
These are decisions that directly impact the health of our family. I can do my part to protect her endocrine system and MAYBE, just maybe, help prevent her from having the same hormonal and infertility issues I’ve had. That is powerful.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’m going to be sharing how I’ve made my household cleaner with you. Because this has quickly become a passion of mine, and I want to share it with everyone! I want to talk about chemicals in Windex, your dish soap, etc, and what I use instead. I want to talk about what I’ve tried, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.
Temen got sick, and then I got smart. I can’t fix her kidneys, but you bet your ass I’m going to do everything I can to keep her healthy and safe.
xxoo,
Samm
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