Natural Living

In modern life, cleaning is a common way people expose themselves to irritants and damaging chemical compounds. No matter what you are cleaning, it is always important to take extra care to reduce and avoid this potentially harmful exposure. This concept is important for everyone, but especially for people with Scleroderma/Systemic Sclerosis. Many people are lead to believe that cleanliness, in all aspects of life, is only achieved through branded store-bought products composed of harsh chemical ingredients. Not only is this belief not true, it’s dangerous.

For most of my life I also believed these same mistruths about cleanliness. I believed these things because I was never shown that alternatives exist. I remember cleaning my bathroom as a child using a dangerous concoction of chemical cleaners. The fumes from the sprays and powders were so strong I would cover my mouth and nose with a cloth or hold my breath while I cleaned. At the time, I did not realize that coming into contact and inhaling those cleaners was dangerous. I falsely assumed this because all the products were advertised on TV, sold, and commonly used. Just because a product is marketed and sold in grocery stores does not mean it does not harm human health or the environment. I wish I knew as a child what I know now.

This section is dedicated to cleaning, personal hygiene, and a few helpful “natural remedies” for everyday life. Everyone needs to know that cleaning almost anything, whether it be your laundry or your hair, can be achieved safely, cheaply, effectively, and with a handful of common items.