Thank you for asking! I wouldn't make a reservation based on the consistent use of scented laundry detergent and the other regular cleaners being used in the bathroom and toilet. The scented laundry detergent will permeate the pillows and mattress and the bathroom cleaners will permeate the curtains/shower curtain, etc. I could bring all of my own stuff, but then all those smells would permeate my stuff. Unfortunately, the chemical residues don't automagically disappear once the products aren't being used. It takes time, and sometimes, the effects are only minimally lessened, never removed. I used to use all the fragranced stuff, too, and had to dispose of many things once I changed my lifestyle habits.
1) For laundry, I now use a fragrance-free detergent that I purchase in bulk at our local refill store (prior to finding that, I mostly used baking soda and white vinegar - but for whites, I'd use hydrogen peroxide), white vinegar is my fabric softener (the smell leaves once the item dries), and wool dryer balls in the dryer, or I hang certain items outdoors to dry. Using the white vinegar also eliminated the need to do a special cleaning session in our High Efficiency washing machine. When I used regular Tide detergent and Downy fabric softener prior to having MCS, there would be a nasty smell that I then had to buy yet another fragranced product to run in a special cycle just to "clean" the machine. After switching to white vinegar, that smell never returned and the machine stayed clean. The scent that to you and most non-MCS folks is barely noticeable would be super noticeable and problematic to someone like me and most other MCS/TILT folks. That's where the comparison of telling someone with a nut allergy that you only tossed a few in the recipe comes into play - or telling someone in a wheelchair that they only have a few steps to go up. It's similar to having someone tell us that it's "just a light scent", or "I only used a little fragrance".
2) For the toilet and tub, I personally use white vinegar that's been infused with citrus peels from the oranges/grapefruits/lemons/limes that I consume for at least 2 weeks, and mixed with the fragrance-free liquid dish detergent that I also buy in bulk at my local refill store. It's approximately a 3:1 ratio of vinegar to dish soap. It cleans better than ANY store bought product I used to buy.
3) For dishes - we wash the old school way by hand - and use a fragrance-free dish detergent I buy in bulk at our local refill shop. I've seen commercial products of dish detergent (Field Day is a brand that comes to mind) as well as laundry detergents (Seventh Generation and Charlie's are two brands that come to mind) that are also fragrance-free in regular stores and online, but choose to use the refill shop to lessen the plastic waste and shorten the supply chain as well.
I also recently purchased Norwex brand enviro-cloth, dust mit, ceiling fan duster, and window cloth and have found they clean the windows better than the vinegar/water solution I was using before. No streaks left behind and all I need is enough water to dampen the cloth. The dust mit is super helpful in cleaning blinds and the furniture. I used to have to dust a couple times a week, but have only had to dust once in the last 3 weeks. They have many products that only require water and no other chemicals. I wouldn't purchase their detergents, cleaning pastes, etc., though, due to them containing fragrance.
Additionally, I know that disinfecting surfaces is a major concern, especially in these times of the pandemic worries. Hydrogen peroxide is a great fragrance-free solution when used correctly. Here's an article from a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio that explains it further:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for/
Copied and pasted from the article:
Disinfect
Move your peroxide from the medicine cabinet to the cleaning cabinet. It’s a great alternative to bleach and won’t make your house smell like a swimming pool.
Use peroxide in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves. “There’s a chance of toxicity if you inhale it, and it can irritate the skin and eyes,” Dr. Beers says.
To disinfect, first clean any visible dirt or grime off the area with plain soap and water. Then spray surfaces with a 50/50 mix of peroxide and water. Let it sit for five minutes or longer. Rinse surfaces that touch food, like cutting boards, but let other surfaces air dry.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great germ-killer for:
- Bathtubs, sinks and showers.
- Counters.
- Cutting boards.
- Doorknobs.
- Garbage cans.
- Mirrors.
- Refrigerators.
- Toilets.
- Toys.
“Peroxide kills bacteria, fungi and viruses,” Dr. Beers explains. “It can come in handy if you don’t have disinfecting wipes or bleach. Just be careful not to get it on your clothes or furniture, or it may bleach them.”
I hope this information is helpful and thank you for being interested in finding solutions and making spaces safer for everyone to more safely be able to partake in.
