Detox Your Home, Improve Your Hormones: Easy Tips for a Lower-Tox Life
Are Your Cleaning Products Harming Your Hormones?
Regardless of whether you want babies or you’re happily beyond that stage, if you’re struggling with a belly you can’t lose, pimple-prone skin or monthly migraines,
it might surprise you that there’s something beyond food, exercise, and positive affirmations you can do right now to tip the balance of your hormone health in your favour……..
even if it sounds whack and seems far too doable!
I’m talking about giving your home a detox, starting with cleaning products!
I made the shift myself many years ago when I started breaking out in skin rashes and constant headaches from all the chemically laden cleaning products I was exposed to in my old job 🤯. Chemicals are not the kinds of things my body can process or detox well, so out of necessity and later choice, I made the switch, one by one, to greener home-made cleaning products. By the end of this post, I’ll show you how you can get started too.
The Hidden Danger in Cleaning Products
Whether they come in industrially sized pump-dispenser bottles or they’re floral-scented and beautifully packaged, all those products you’ve bought to clean your surfaces and keep your bathroom sanitised and sparkling could be what’s messing with your metabolism and wreaking havoc on your hormones.
We call them endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs for short.
What Are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
According to the Endocrine Society, of the 85,000 human-made chemicals in the world, 1,000 or more could be endocrine disruptors.
EDCs are natural or human-made chemicals that can disrupt hormone and metabolic function, affect libido, fertility, weight, cardiovascular health and more.
For example:
• Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in some cleaning products, can affect thyroid hormones and contribute to fertility problems, fatigue, and weight-loss resistance.
• Parabens, used as preservatives in many cleaning products, mimic oestrogen and have been detected in breast cancer tissues, raising concerns about their role in hormone-related cancers, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
• Phthalates, often found in fragranced household products, have been linked to reduced sperm count in men.
Why Are EDCs a Problem?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals resemble hormones. When absorbed by the body, they can:
• Mimic natural hormones.
• Decrease or increase normal hormone levels.
• Alter the natural production of hormones altogether.
Hormones act in extremely small amounts, so even minor disruptions can cause significant effects on growth, fertility, and reproduction. Beyond our sexual health, stress, motivation and moods, hormones also have the job of governing our metabolic health - so any chemical exposure that disrupts hormone balance has the potential to impact our metabolic health too.
Some EDCs are even labelled obesogens because they negatively impact the gut microbiome and influences how our fat tissue behaves.
I know! - it’s A LOT!!
Where to Begin?
Like many aspects of health, the sheer number of EDCs can make it feel overwhelming to know where to start. But as I often say, every 1,000-mile journey begins with a single step - and to help you on your way, i’m giving you your first steps below with recipes for two fantastic DIY cleaners. I’d love to claim they were my own - but that would be a big fat lie. I got them from one of Nancy Birtwhistle’s book - Clean and Green. I’m obsessed with Nancy - since her days on The Great British Bake-off! Her books are jam packed with great ideas - you can download them on kindle, or follow her on instagram for daily inspiration.
All-Purpose Surface Cleaner
This daily cleaner works on glass, sinks, hobs, extractor fans, kitchen handles, doors, and more. It cuts through dust, grime, and grease without leaving a sticky residue.
You will need:
• 300ml glass spray bottle
• 60ml white vinegar
• 150ml water
• 40ml surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol)
• 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil
Method:
1. Pour everything into the bottle.
2. Shake to combine, and you’re good to go!
2. Pure Magic Spray for Toilets and Laundry stains.
This versatile spray dissolves limescale, clears soap scum, cleans toilets, and works on laundry stains like curry, fruit, tomato, wine, and grass. Note: because it’s acidic it’s not suitable for use on tables, worktops, stone, slate, granite, or marble.
You will need:
• 500ml heatproof measuring jug
• Glass spray bottle
• 200g citric acid
• 150ml just-boiled water
• 20ml eco-friendly washing liquid
• 10-20 drops of essential oil (tea tree or grapefruit)
Method:
1. Place the citric acid in the heatproof measuring jug.
2. Pour over the just-boiled water and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Once cool, add the washing-up liquid and essential oil (if using).
4. Leave uncovered for a few hours to cool completely.
5. Transfer to a spray bottle.
So there you have it—two easy ways to clean up your home, the environment, and your hormones.
Want more tips? download a copy of my free Low-Tox Cheat Sheet for more simple smart swaps ideas to achieve a lower-tox environment that supports your health.
If, however, you’re past all the freebie advice and you’re looking to explore a personalised way to reduce your symptoms and figure out what’s getting in your way, Nutrigenomics testing could be what you didn’t know you were looking for! It was a huge aha moment for me back in 2017 when I used myself as a guinea pig just as I was learning more and more about DNA testing. Suddenly, a lifetime of puzzling symptoms were explained, and all I had to do was tweaks my food and lifestyle a bit more to optimise my energy and health. These tests are part of my Optimal Health and Resilience Programme. Check if out, and if you want to discuss if it’s the right fit for you, book a free call to discuss.
