Bathroom
Bath MatWhat You Need To KnowBath mats are useful to make sure you or your children don’t slip and fall while in the tub. Unfortunately, many bath mats have chemicals in them that may be harmful to you and your family. Here are some tips for choosing a healthier bath mat:
What To Avoid
PVC:Many bath mats are made of Polyvinyl chloride (pvc) plastic. What makes the PVC plastic soft is a class of chemicals known as Phthalates. Phthalates are often released into the air and inhaled. Exposure is linked to reproductive health issues, brain development, liver cancer, birth defects, asthma, and allergies.
Safer Choices
Natural rubber:Natural rubber bath mats are made from the sap (Latex) of a rubber tree. Natural rubber doesn’t contain Phthalates. However, make sure the mat is 100% Natural rubber without any synthetic chemical additives.
Silicone:If you or your child is allergic to Natural rubber Latex, then Silicone might be a good alternative. Silicone has some of the same characteristics as rubber and plastic, but it is more temperature resistant and doesn’t leach harmful chemicals. Note that “Latex free” claims by the manufacturer may be misLeading, so try to ensure that it is 100% Silicone without other fillers.
Bioplastics:Some bioplastic bath mats are now available. They’re made from renewable plant sources, such as corn or sugar cane, rather than Petrochemicals. They are free of PVC plastics and VOCs, though how these plants are grown can have negative environmental impacts.
Stay close:Best yet, just stay close to your child while they bathe so if they slip, you’re immediately able to help. That way you don’t have to use a bathmat at all.
Your old mat?What to do with your old plastic bath mats? Rather than throw them into the landfill, you might consider putting them under your sink where cleaning solutions, shampoos or other liquids are stored to make sure the cabinet floor stays dry, for example. Make sure that cleaning products and Pesticides are always kept out reach from young children or locked!
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.