5 Reasons to Go Green with Your Antibacterial Soap

Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers in that last decade have become household words. We do have lots of bacteria, but did you realize that about 99 percent of bacteria are innocent and not harmful, and some are vital for  good health. Germs and bacteria provide target practice for your immune system, giving it the training it needs to fight real threats. Antibacterial hand sanitizers and soaps are supposed to help keep our surroundings and bodies clean and healthy, but are they serving their purpose?  Are Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers helpful or harmful is the big question? What are the alternatives – make your own diy antibacterial formula!

Two types of soaps that we can use:

• Plant Based Soaps: These are kind to you skin, body, and the planet. They are gentle and their suds are safe, healthy and plant-based, their alluring fragrances are derived from essential oils or botanical based that are natural, safe, non-toxic ingredients from Mother Nature.
• Synthetic Soaps:  These soaps are drying to the skin and cause damage in our ecosystem. They contain petrochemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate (used as a foaming agent), or fragrances manufacturers use synthetic perfume (that smell is not so good for you) that contain undisclosed compounds such as — phthalates  that are hormone disruptors, linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity and other health concerns.

Some Important Facts & Health Risks About Antibacterial Soaps:

1. Bacteria Is Not All Bad:  Not all bacteria are bad. Some are actually helpful. The bacteria in our guts are essential for digesting and absorbing foods and having a healthy digestive system. If we don’t have the proper bacteria we are prone to many health issues such as food allergies and intolerance’s.

2. Over Using Antibacterial: Did you know that there are over 700 antibacterial products on the market currently? Antibacterial soaps kill all bacteria the good, the bad and the ugly. Overusing antibacterial cleaners messes with out immune system and without a strong and healthy immune system we open a whole host of health problems such as infections, inflammation, and an open door to chronic disease. Although there are germs everywhere nature designed our bodies to fight off mild bacteria and germs, but if the immune system gets lazy or weak because the defense work is being fought by a foreign substance (antibacterial soaps and cleaners) it no longer has the fighting power to protect our bodies.  We now have opened that door for the enemy to invade!

3. Regular Use of antibacterial Product Causes Trouble with a Big T:  Overuse of antibacterial promotes growth of resistant strains of bacteria and germs. When we take a look at the big picture – it means trouble for antibiotics.  Over time, most antibiotics will be useless and when we really need them for those nasty bacteria pathogens such Staphylococcus and Eschericia coli that will not be able to properly defend our bodies..

4. Link To Allergies and Asthma: Research has shown that too much good hygiene that contains synthetic antibacterial substances could have a major effect on the increase of allergies and asthma especially in children. One study suggested that children who were exposed naturally to a range of minor germs were less likely to suffer hay fever and other atopic reactions as they reached maturity.

5. Antibacterial With Side Effects:  Triclosan is the most common ingredient in synthetic antibacterial products and has antiseptic properties.  Triclosan is a health and environmental toxin, is a chemical pollutant that persists in the environment and boiaccumlates in humans and animals. It is toxic to aquatic life and cause serious havoc in our water ecosystems.

Triclosan use is so widespread, that in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bio-monitoring data show that 75% of Americans have detectable levels of triclosan in their blood. Triclosan is a health danger – is highly reactive with compounds when mixed with free chlorine in tap water or chlorine based cleaners and degrades under sunlight to produce chloroform and chlorinated dioxins, which is both toxic and creates carcinogenic compounds, when inhaled or absorbed by the skin, particularly while bathing in warm water.

The good news is just plain soap and water works great in getting rid of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Wash your hands several times a day with plain soap and water or use a squirt of hydrogen peroxide from that little brown bottle that will kill any of those bad germs. Make you own hand sanitizer!

HOMEMADE  ANTIBACTERIAL FORMULA                                                                                                            

CLEAN HANDS SPRITZ

• 2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoons plain Aloe Vera, or Lemon Witch Hazel
• 1/8 teaspoon Tea Tree Oil
• 24 Drops of essential oils — lavender, lemon, cinnamon, peppermint, and/or thyme (Use 2 or more for good action and a balance aroma and because these oils are very potent)
• 4 drops of grapefruit seed extract

Directions – Mix all ingredients in a 1-ounce glass spray bottle. Shake well before using.  Spray 2 or 3 times on your hands and rub them together.

You can use this sanitizer on your hands on the go and it has an indefinite shelf life. Give it to someone for a gift during the holidays, for their birthday, or anytime, but especially around the cold and flu season. What a great way to show your love to your friends and family and our planet.

About the author

Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!