CLEANING SUPPLIES
Thousands of accidents involving children happen each year due to harmful ingredients like bleach and ammonia, linked to liver and kidney damage, being consumed. Choose non-toxic or natural cleaners found in most markets, or save money by making your own cleaning solutions from vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.
CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES AND HERBICIDES
It’s no surprise that products intended to kill insects and invasive weeds can also harm humans. Common products like the weedkiller Round-Up and insecticide Raid are known to cause kidney damage, respiratory irritation, and negatively impact the central nervous system. Such harm can be easily avoided with organic pest-control products like boric acid or white vinegar.
AIR FRESHENERS
The market for air fresheners in aerosol, solid, or plug-in form has grown along with concern over harmful pollutants they often contain. Phthalates, which are banned in children’s toys in some states due to hormonal and reproductive disruptions, and carcinogens like naphthalene and formaldehyde are just some of the common toxins.
WATER BOTTLES
Despite the environmental harm caused by plastic consumption, the world’s use of non-recyclable plastic bottles has continued to rise to the point of a million being bought every minute. Do your part by replacing bottled water with tap, especially given that there’s little difference between the two and it saves money, too.
DIAMONDS
Diamonds can sell for as much as 200 percent over than their wholesale prices — and sometimes more. It was only an artificial shortening of supply and clever marketing that led to the tradition of diamond engagement rings costing the equivalent of two months’ salary. Synthetic diamonds and similar gemstones like Moissanite are a fraction of the cost and can be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.