With spring comes spring cleaning. When you do your spring cleaning, there are ten dangerous items to your health you no longer want in your home.

Unused or Expired Medications

Regular readers of my blog know that I’m not a fan of prescription medications except in the event of extreme emergencies. If you have any in your home that aren’t being used or have reached their expiration date, dispose of them in a legal, safe way. The National Take-Back Initiative Day is April 27 and it’s been designated as a national day to return unused and expired medications. Check here beginning on April 1 to see a list of official collection sites.

Plastic Containers and Bottles

BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical in plastics that causes cancers and disease. It leeches into food and water as containers get used. Replace plastic with glass whenever possible.

Sponges

Study after study shows kitchen sponges to be full of bacteria and mold. Wet sponges near sinks are ideal conditions for germs to thrive and multiply. Sponges are so bad that even the Food and Drug Administration prohibits restaurants from using sponges to make the final wipe of surfaces that come into contact with food. Use a cloth instead that you wash regularly.

Non-Organic Foods

Most foods in the U.S. and other developed countries are grown with pesticides. These chemicals cause cancer and most diseases. Always eat organic foods. See my guide on how to identify organic foods. Make sure to choose hormone and antibiotic-free meats and poultry raised in free range environments while being fed their native foods.

Anti-bacterial Soaps

The agents and additives in these soaps have been linked to cancer, immune system dysfunctions, liver toxicity, and developmental defects. Skip the anti-bacterial soaps and those with triclosan, sulfates, parabens, ureas, and synthetic colors and fragrances. Use organic, not toxic soaps instead. One place to find them online is at Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.

Hair Care Products

Shampoos, conditioners and just about any foaming product contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a really nasty toxin that impacts the heart, liver and the brain. Other common health problem ingredients include sodium laureth sulfate, DEA, MEA, TEA, fragrances, parabens, and DMDM hydantoin.  Again, stick with organic hair care shampoos and conditioners. I use hair care products made by Thorne.

Air Fresheners

When you use an air freshener, you are simply using chemicals to get rid of a smell. Many of these products contain artificial perfumes and could contain up to 400 different toxic ingredients. We won’t list all the health hazards here. Look for the warning signs on the labels…they’ll tell you that inhaling the stuff can be harmful to your health. An easy solution is to make your own non-toxic alternative. Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of essential oils like orange, lemon or lavender. You can also find chemical-free sprays in places like Trader Joe’s.

Pillows

Pillows accumulate dust mites, dead skin, and fungi. This aggravates asthma, allergies and sinusitis. You should get a new pillow at least once a year. Look for non-toxic, organic pillows and bedding.

Vinyl

Phthalates are chemical plastic softeners linked to a variety of nasty ailments: stunted growth, hormone disruption, obesity, low IQ and more. Replace plastic shower liners or curtains with organic cotton or hemp. It’s easy to do and doesn’t cost a fortune. When you need new flooring, replace vinyl flooring with wood, bamboo or cork.

Sugar

This killer has been linked to a variety of ailments, including heart disease, obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease and more. Get added sugar out of your house and your life. If you need to use an added sweetener, consider raw honey, molasses, grade B maple syrup or stevia.