Monthly Archives: October 2021

Repurpose tired exfoliating gloves

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Are your exfoliating gloves looking worse for wear? Instead of throwing away, recycle by wearing over rubber gloves then get to work on stubborn marks in the kitchen or bathroom.

And if you have a household tip to share with our followers just click here >

And did you know that Aggie Mackenzie is a qualified Yoga Teacher? Join her now for “Aggie’s Yoga!”

How to freshen up suede shoes…

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Hold the shoe over the spout of a boiling kettle for a few moments (careful – don’t burn yourself!), rubbing gently with a suede brush.

The steam and brushing will lift the dirt without leaving watermarks.

And if you have a household tip to share with our followers just click here >

And did you know that Aggie Mackenzie is a qualified Yoga Teacher? Join her now for “Aggie’s Yoga!”

Yes, pillows do need to be washed

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Up to 10 per cent of a pillow’s weight is sweat, skin, dandruff, saliva…enough said. Check labels for wash instructions and put two at a time in the machine.

Peg on the line early on a sunny day and they’ll dry by the evening.

And if you have a household tip to share with our followers just click here >

And did you know that Aggie Mackenzie is a qualified Yoga Teacher? Join her now for “Aggie’s Yoga!”

A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Phthalates

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  • pronounced ‘thalates’, they are salts or esters of phthalic acid.
  • Phthalates are used in a variety of personal care products as fragrances – to make them linger.
  • They are also used as a lubricant in cosmetics.
  • Commonly found in plastic food and drink containers they are also present in our food and water (from pesticides sprayed on our food), in dairy products and meats, plastic toys and medical instruments amongst a host of other consumer products.
  • Phthalates are thought to mimic, displace and disrupt our hormones, which subsequently lead to imbalances in our body.
  • The two phthalates most extensively used in cosmetics are: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) Diethyl phthalate (DEP).
  • Found in:
    • Perfume, fragranced lotions, body washes and hair care products, talc, deodorant, nail polish and treatment as well as hair spray.
    • Even products labeled “unscented” contain phthalates as a chemical scent masking agent

A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Triclosan

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  • Triclosan and triclocarban are chlorinated aromatic compounds highly soluble in water.
  • They are registered as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency since 1969, and used in personal care products and detergents, to name a few, as a means to slow down or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and mildew.
  • Research proves that this active agent is highly toxic to aquatic life.
  • A study in young male rats proves that it disrupts thyroid functioning in low dosage levels.
  • Ongoing research is being conducted on its effect on human beings. We do however know that extensive use of this chemical as an anti-bacterial allows bacteria to become resistant to it making antibiotics meant to cure related diseases completely ineffective.
  • Research has proven that plain soap and water to clean and wash do the job as well as one that claims anti-bacterial action, making this an unnecessary ingredient in our personal care products.
  • Found in:
  • Soaps, toothpastes, hair products, underarm deodorants, mouthwashes and household sanitising products
  • Read the label for:
  • “Active ingredient”, “anti-bacterial” and “odour-fighting”
  • Problems associated with it:
  • Liver and inhalation toxicity, hypothyroidism, oestrogen dominance/excess oestrogen, endocrine disrupter (chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife), hormonal disorders in children, reduced immunity, allergies

A – Z of Toxicity in our home – PEG compounds

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  • Polyethylene glycol is a family of petroleum compounds widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, moisture-carriers, solvents and softeners.
  • As a penetration enhancer, it allows other harmful compounds often found in PEGs to be absorbed by our skin.
  • This includes 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen, as well as heavy metals such as lead, cobalt, iron, arsenic and cadmium.
  • PEGs are followed by a number correlating to the number of ethylene glycol units in it, as well as its absorbency rate.
  • The lower the number the higher its ability to be absorbed by our skin.
  • Problems associated with it:
    • Systemic toxicity and if used on broken skin it can cause irritation
  • Found in:
    • Cosmetics as cream bases

A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Oxybenzone

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  • Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 (trade names Milestab 9, Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567, KAHSCREEN BZ-3) is an organic compound.
  • It is a pale-yellow solid that is readily soluble in most organic solvents.
  • Oxybenzone belongs to the class of aromatic ketones known as benzophenones.
  • Studies have shown its high penetrative capacity as well as our bodies ability to store it.
  • This is potentially harmful since it is known to mimic oestrogen in our body and has been linked to breast cancer.
  • Found in:
    • Sunscreens, lipstick, moisturiser and fragrance for women.
  • Read the label for:
    • Benzophenone-3, oxybenzone
  • Problems associated with it:
    • Hormone disruption, allergies, cell damage