Freshen safer

I love the pretty things in life, especially when they are natural and versatile! Take for example my room sprays. I can safely use them for a bathroom, in the shower, on my linens, in my car, pretty much anywhere and not worry if it may be harmful to my family or guests. The only complaint I have heard so far is that I do not use an emulsifier, and after some research I have concluded that for now I will continue making them just as I do, and here's why;

One of the most commonly used emulsifying agents used is Polysorbate. For such things as sprays I would need polysorbate 20. It is widely used in the cosmetic and beauty industry included natural cosmetics. Okay...so why don't I use it? Here's the low down :)
Polysorbate is derived from sorbital. Sorbital is a sugar alcohol found largely in fruits. Now the key word here is Derived. Anytime I here plant based or derived from that sends up a red flag. It is a marketing tool used to appeal to the masses. You think you are doing so well and going a little more green, but chances are not so much.
To make polysorbate well, polysorbate they add ethylene oxide.

 

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas at

temperatures above 51.3 ºF (10.7 ºC) that smells like

ether at toxic levels. EtO is found in the production of

solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives,

polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. Smaller

amounts are present in fumigants, sterilants for spices

and cosmetics, as well as during hospital sterilization of

surgical equipment.

 

This is taken from OSHA Fact Sheet. OSHA is Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

So....Sound safe to you? The higher the number behind polysorbate(20,40,60,80) the higher the amount of Ethylene oxide.

Well what does that leave me with then? I can blend the sprays with a much higher amount of alcohol, but that can cause it to be an irritant for the throat and lungs. I could use and oil base such as coconut. I do love coconut oil! The issue with that is now one has to deal with oil stains. The room spray now leaves you with  an oily residue on all your surfaces that isn't great to clean, I mean have you ever tried cleaning oil stains from clothing and linen? No thank you!

I suppose for now, I will keep my sprays just as they are, safe and soothing. Though it may seem like a rather petty thing in the grand scope, but it's the culmination of little things that make a big difference, and in the information age that we are in there is no reason not to educate yourself. I am a huge advocate for reading the Ingredients part of the label and if I am not sure what it is, then I look it up. Like I said before, it is a huge marketing ploy when they place words like Derived and Plant based. Companies spend millions on marketing so you will buy their product and it is a well known fact that making it sound sustainable and green will do the trick.

We always have a choice.

 

One Earth.