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Posted 7/31/2012 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if any of you have issues with cleaning products. I use the Seventh Generation laundry detergent otherwise my sheets and clothing would itch more than they already do. I also use the Seventh Generation dish soap and cleaning solutions.

I can't handle strong chemicals. How about you?

Posted 7/31/2012 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I've always had a really strong sense of smell since a kid...So I can't put this one on Fibro for me.

I've been using the Seventh Generation for years....love it!!
Posted 7/31/2012 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a bleach-aholic. :-) LOL The things I can't bleach, I use diluted rubbing alcohol. (windows, stainless steel etc) I don't have any issues with those, but that's all I use.
Laundry soap has always been Tide, always will be Tide. My husband is allergic to every other detergent.
Posted 7/31/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
No perfumes, no dyes, no makeup...
All of my paper products have to be plain paper.
I'm even allergic to all toliet tissue except Scott's 1000. :(

I'm very sensitive to odors.

Today I was walking around a store and I caught a whiff of an smell I almost gagged on. I looked around and saw a person walking about five feet away from me. I discovered I had walked in the path of a guy with bad BO. As soon as I could I got out of his "jet stream". Next I walked by a woman who must of bathed in her perfume bottle that morning.

My nose was under extreme assault today.
Posted 8/1/2012 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
I use All Free & Clear laundry detergent. I tried mixing it with one of the scented ones (same brand) because I like being able to tell my clothes really are clean - but I started having itching issues again, so that was out.

I can't clean much these days (body won't allow) but when I do I usually use something like Seventh Generation, because I'm like you - I can't take the strong chemicals. My mom used to use a ton of Comet to clean the sink, Lysol for everything, and ended up with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Coincidence? I don't know, but it sure made me cough...

Debbie
Posted 8/1/2012 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I have always had sensitive skin and sense of smell. I use arm and hammer fragrance free. But now I am curious of seventh generation, where do you get it? I have never seen it where I live. I will have to look for it.

I think a lot of us are or were allergic to perfume products. I was shopping today and walked next to a lady with strong perfume on. It almost gagged me. I can't stand it. Our post office has two doors and perfumes get caught in between the doors. I have to hold my breath.

So I can sympathise with you all. Though I think I have always had these problems.

Good topic...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/1/2012 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Anybody use white vinegar? I find that to be a most excellent cleaning product. Sometimes I mix it with some Seventh Generation.

Use it on floors too - everything.
Posted 8/1/2012 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing, everyone.

Debbie, I've found Seventh Generation at Target, sometimes at Walmart and at one of our grocery stores called Woodman's. Good luck.

Mommakiki, I admire how much you enjoy using cleaning products. I'd like to share a website with you that talks about the harm that can come from being around harmful cleaning products.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html


My mother used Pledge, Comet, bleach, and rose scented bathroom spray. I have always disliked being around those smells and many others. Not long ago I heard it's harmful for children to be exposed to products like Lysol and room spray. Did anyone else hear that?

Posted 8/1/2012 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
I was taught "everything in moderation".  I use Tide and Downey for my laundry, I use Clorox products for laundry and also bathrooms because they really kill the germs.  I have a Lysol kitchen spray that I use if blood from any meat that I'm preparing goes on my counter.  I will use a wet paper towel to get the blood up and then I spray the area and wipe down with the Lysol and a dry paper towel.  The spray bottle that I have is about 8 years old!  I use soft scrub for my stainless sink and Bon Ami for my other sinks and I mop the tile floors with white vinegar and water.  I have no problems at all using these products but I also was brought up in a different day and age. 

 

I think people over-clean!  My niece was constantly going around with antibacterial products on any surface you could use them on.  Her kids were ALWAYS sick because they were never allowed to build up a resistance to bacteria.  Golly, we ate a lot of dirt back in the "old days".  We would make mudpies, dig miniature ponds for salamanders, etc. and not go running in the house to wash our hands.  We just went on playing. 

 

I was raised in the 1950's and early 60's and people weren't sick like they are now.  Through government studies, they have put the fear of God in us.  We can't eat this, can't use that, everything causes cancer...I think you catch my drift.  Consequently, people are using antibacterial products all over the place and more and more people are having problems with cleaning products.  At least this is what I think is going on.  Golly, they used to put kerosene on a child's head to kill lice back in the 1800's!

 

I agree with Karen that some of us are allergic to perfumes and products that have scents like that.  That's why you find many cleaning products with an unscented version.    And of course there are people like Couchtater who are allergic to just about everything.  I had a dog that was like that, too!  (No offense, Tater!  tongue )  She was tested for 40 allergens and was allergic to 38 of them.

 

This is what I think is going on.  I know it's not the general opinion on this forum but all I know is I have no problems with cleaning products.  I use them in moderation, I don't slather the products on when I do use them, and I have never gotten sick from using them either.  

 

Sherrine 

Posted 8/1/2012 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
My oldest daughter has asthma and has severe seasonal allergies. Her rast test showed positive for nearly every type of tree, pollen and dust. That's why I maintain as sterile of an environment as I can for her inside the house.It was by suggestion of her allergy specialist that I use these products (as well as buying a $700 vacuum cleaner with a true HEPA filter and special mattress and bedding for her) to keep allergens that bother her at bay. Her symptoms have significantly improved since I started using bleach and alcohol to clean. I'm sure it isn't the best thing for my body, but as a mother that's the sacrifice I will make for the health of my child. :-) If that's what she needs, I'll do it at any cost to my own well being.
Posted 8/1/2012 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Of course you would, MommaKiKi!  In the case of my niece, they had no allergy problems.  She just was trying to protect them but they were sick all of the time.  I talked to her about this and she stopped wiping everything down like she was and her kids slowly but surely cleared up. 

 

Most of us don't have those physical issues and sometimes you can outgrow them, too.  I have a relative who couldn't be around cats and dogs but he now owns a dog and isn't having a problem.  He still does with cats, though.  My son had juvenile asthma so we had to be careful about that.  My husband and I were both smokers at that time and realized the smoke would bring on an attack so we made changed to accomodate his situation but now he has no asthma...thank God! 

 

Now, let's pray that your daughter doesn't become allergic to Tide!  You'd have a mess on your hands.

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/1/2012 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have asthma, allergies and eczema so there's no blaming Fibro for itchyness. I can only use certain products for soap, shampoo/conditioner, laundry soap yadda yadda. Just part of my oh so fun life.
Posted 8/1/2012 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Mommakiki,

I admire how well you take care of your daughter. You're doing the best that you can for her.

Keep up the good work.

Posted 8/1/2012 1:35 PM (GMT 0)

Sherrine said...
this and she stopped wiping everything down like she was and her kids slowly but surely cleared up.
Most of us don't have those physical issues and sometimes you can outgrow them, too. I have a relative who couldn't be around cats and dogs but he now owns a dog and isn't having a problem. He still does with cats, though. My son had juvenile asthma so we had to be careful about that. My husband and I were both smokers at that time and realized the smoke would bring on an attack so we made changed to accomodate his situation but now he has no asthma...thank God!

Now, let's pray that your daughter doesn't become allergic to Tide! You'd have a mess on your hands.

<font color=#0000ff>Sherrine


Oh Sherrine! I'm on the floor howling!! LOL yeah I'd have to hire a laundress to take care of the laundry needs of these yahoo's in my house. LOL

You mentioned smoking... sadly I admit that I smoked throughout my whole pregnancy with her. My OB told me it would do more harm to the fetus if I quit (withdrawl) so I cut way down but I still smoked. I feel a ton of guilt and I just know that it's my fault for her having asthma, even though the doctor says it's not my fault. She is 8 1/2 (you KNOW how important that 1/2 is to an 8 year old) LOL and I pray everyday that she will outgrow this. Several of my now adult cousins had the same troubles as kids, but now that they are grown they are asthma free! I'm crossing my fingers that it ends up that way for her too!! :-)
Posted 8/1/2012 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, don't feel guilty about that.  I smoked throughout my pregnancy and I was a 2 1/2 pack a day smoker!  We didn't know any better back then.  I have three children and only my son had asthma and none have other allergies.  There probably is asthma in the genetics down through the lines.

 

We noticed that my son would have really bad asthma attacks in the fall.  It finally dawned on this dummy (me) that in the fall we would close up the house and turn on the furnace and recirculate the air in the house.  That's when the asthma started!  We both quit smoking and his asthma was 100% better!

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/1/2012 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Mommakiki,

I've had asthma for many, many years. What has helped me the most is getting off of dairy products. One of my doctors told me dairy products produce excess phlegm in the body. In fact, my kids doctor said when they had a cold they should stay away from dairy products and this was a conventional doctor.

Being around pets, smoke, mold, dust, and chemicals aggravates my asthma. Please don't feel guilty about your smoking, we all know how highly addictive it is.
Posted 8/1/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Officially allergic to dust.

I do like strong-smelling products, for the most part. I like the smell of a clean bathroom, a clean kitchen. When things have a more natural smell, like lemon or orange, bonus. I tend to avoid flowery smells, because those make my head ache.

I have bought a few natural cleaners that didn't clean to my satisfaction.

There are times when I have a migraine that the smell of products bothers me. And, flower-scented laundry products make me itch.
Posted 8/1/2012 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
The good part is that many children can grow out of having asthma...

I had this as a child back in the 70's and this is when they would send you to the ER and have you drink a gallon of orange juice and beat on your back up and down to loosen the phlegm!!! As well as give me an inhaler....

And yes...my mom was a heavy smoker so I'm sure that contributed but as you said Sherrine...everyone did pay as much attention to all of that back then...Heck...we never wore helmets....or even seatbelts most of the time! And yep...my mom smoked and even drank while pregnant with us!

But thankfully by my mid to late teens I grew out of the asthma! And I always wear my seatbelt, especially because I was a volunteer Firefighter/EMT for over 10 years and saw how easily someone's life was taken or ruined in even a 25mph accident:(

But as I mentioned....it's not because of Fibro or any health issue that I can't stand certain strong smells....

I really, really, dislike the smell of vineger, Lysol, or bleach....I can't be around it...LOL....

It's just because my sense of smell is so strong/powerful it magnifies anything...Like I have to walk way around those candle/potpourri stores in the mall.....and I can even smell when driving on the highway and someone is smoking in a car up ahead...

Myself...I am like you in that I like more of the natural smells than the flowery ones...Orange and lemon I can handle in most products.
Posted 8/1/2012 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
My allergist told me he was going to put me in a bubble if he found anymore allergies for me. :))

I'm even allergic to many antibiotics, which is bad for someone with lupus. :(
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