If you’re eating a bone healthy pH-balanced diet, exercising to strengthen your bones, and making lifestyle changes to reduce the acidifying effects of stress, you are doing the right thing! All these easy lifestyle changes will go a long way toward reversing osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Today, I’d like you to take a close look at the products you use to clean your home. Chances are, you are unknowingly exposing yourself to an excessive chemical load.

Toxic, acidifying chemicals are everywhere – in the air we breathe, in municipal water, and in auto exhaust. As if this were not enough, indoor air pollution is a also problem, especially in office and retail environments. Although some exposure is unavoidable, the good news is that as long as you’re following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program you’re greatly reducing the acidifying load that your body needs to “neutralize”.

But I still recommend detoxifying your system on a regular basis. I created OsteoCleanse, the 7 Day Bone Building Accelerator, to expedite the removal of the harmful osteoporosis prescription drugs from your bloodstream. Even if you never took the osteoporosis drugs, OsteoCleanse also functions as an excellent general detoxifying program, and I personally use this easy method of cleansing my system at least twice a year.

In addition to cleansing a couple of times a year, it makes sense to minimize your exposure to toxins wherever possible, and the one place where you’re in control and can easily take steps to clean up your environment is inside your home.

What’s the Problem with Commercial Cleaning Products?

There’s no need to add to the toxic stew by using harmful chemical cleaning solutions, especially when there are safe alternatives that are easy to get or make at home.

Here are just a few of the toxic chemicals in common household cleaners – and remember, in addition to their individual characteristics, they are all acidifying:

Ammonia, found in a wide variety of cleaners, can cause kidney and liver damage. It’s also a neurotoxin and can inhibit the synthesis of critical neurotransmitters.

Butyl cellusolve (a.k.a. butyl glycol and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether), found in general degreasers, oven cleaners, spot removers, and glass and carpet cleaners. It’s a neurotoxin and reproductive toxin that’s capable of rapidly penetrating skin and can also cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

Diethanolamine (DEA), used in a many cleaning products, has been classified by the State of California as a suspected carcinogen. It is toxic to the skin and respiratory system.

D-limonene is included in many “natural” products. Although it’s made from orange peels, the end product is a highly concentrated neurotoxin that can also cause respiratory issues.

Ortho phenylphenol, found in many all-purpose cleaners, can cause which is a severe eye and skin irritant.

Parabens are used as preservatives in a wide range of cleaning products and have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a chemical that increases the lathering capability of cleaning products, is a known skin irritant. More importantly, it can exacerbate that action of other toxic chemicals.

Toluene is a solvent that California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has identified as a reproductive toxin that can damage the unborn.

Xylene, found in scuff and graffiti removers and adhesives, is a neurotoxin that can cause memory loss.

Do you want any of these chemicals touching your clothing or skin or polluting the air you and your family breathe inside your home?

So What’s a Person To Do?

Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in cleaning products because they are actually considered “trade secrets”. And even if all the ingredients were listed, the chemicals I described above are just a very small sampling of the toxins that are part of most commonly used household cleaning agents. You would have to be on the lookout for hundreds of chemicals.

Go Natural

The safest course is to avoid all commercial cleaning products except those that state on the label that they are non-toxic, fragrance free (or scented with 100% pure essential oils), and biodegradable.

Another option is to make your own cleaning products. That may sound daunting, but it really is quite simple, and can even save you quite a bit of money. A quick online search can provide you with easy, natural recipes for almost any cleaning need that you have.

Here are a few of my favorites made with common items that you probably already have in your cupboard:

Vinegar

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and voila! You have an all-purpose surface cleaner that will cut grease, remove mildew, disinfect and deodorize. Use it to clean your stovetop, bathtub, countertops, sinks, and floors.

Use undiluted vinegar to clean your toilet bowl. Just pour vinegar around the rim of the toilet bowl, scrub, and flush.

Vinegar’s also a great fabric softener – just add about ½ cup to your rinse cycle.

If you’re worried about your house smelling like a salad, don’t fret. The vinegar smell dissipates quickly, leaving behind only fresh, clean surfaces.

Caution: Make sure the vinegar is sufficiently diluted; otherwise, the acids can eat away at grout and similar surfaces. And never use vinegar on marble or other natural stones, such as granite.

Lemon juice

To freshen and deodorize your garbage disposal, run a whole lemon peel through the disposal.

Lemon juice is great for dissolving soap scum, removing hard water deposits. You can even use it for shining brass and copper.

Baking soda

Instead of using an abrasive surface cleaner, clean surfaces with baking soda. Simply make a paste by mixing it with water. It’s a great cleaner and stain remover.

And of course, baking soda is a great deodorizer – keep a box in your refrigerator, in a closet, or anywhere that needs a fresh scent.

Here’s another natural deodorizing tip: Simmer a few cinnamon sticks and cloves in water to make your whole house smell delicious!

And below’s my favorite recipe for an all-purpose cleaner – I always have some on hand in a spray bottle!

All Natural All Purpose Cleaner Size: 16 oz. Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon liquid soap made of vegetable oils (e.g., castile, olive oil, or Marseille soap)

4-5 drops orange or lemon essential oil (citrus cuts grease)

2 cups hot water Directions Combine all ingredients in a 16 oz (or larger) spray bottle and shake well. Allow to cool, and use anytime, anywhere.

With these simple DIY ideas, along with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program and OsteoCleanse, you’ll increase your bone-building success and your overall health. You’ll feel better, you’ll have more energy, and it’ll be easier for you to reach your alkalizing goals.

If you haven’t yet, I recommend you try OsteoCleanse – even if, like I, you never took osteoporosis drugs. OsteoCleanse incorporates six easy-to-follow steps in only 7 days, all backed by scientific studies, that make it the fastest and most effective way to eliminate osteoporosis drugs and other toxins from your body.

OsteoCleanse also helps protect your liver and kidney function. Plus it accelerates your bone-building capacity by effectively balancing your body’s pH. You’ll also get mouth-watering recipes, including ingredients shopping lists, and best of all, clear, easy to understand step-by-step instructions that leave nothing to chance.

To your “clean” life!