Ok, be honest. Have you ever thought about the impact of chlorine on your family? It can seem tiring to feel like you’re always reading labels and figuring out what chemicals are in products. But ya know what? It’s 100% worth it!
I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about our toxic bucket that we all have. We may *seem* fine or our kids may appear to not have health issues, but we have to work against this toxic load. Summer is such a wonderful time, but I think a lot of the time, we take a break from health. And I believe this is EXACTLY the time we should be thinking about health! We’re building the foundation for a solid immune system, decreased toxic burden, and healthy bodies come fall and winter. So let’s talk about why this spray is important.
CHLORINE
Swimming is such a fun summertime activity and yet, a couple of years ago, I noticed that my kids were getting tummy aches and dealing with a lot of congestion after we swam. It got me thinking, so of course, I started to do a little research.
Turns out chlorine exposure has a dirty laundry list of effects on our bodies. Now, I’m all for sanitation and am all for keeping pools clean from bacteria, mold and other growing organisms. But all in moderation, right? Check these out…and this is just a few of the MANY things that I found when delving into the research out there!
- increased risk of allergies
- increased chance of asthma in younger children
- risk of exposure for babies in utero
- increased bladder cancer risk
And The Centers For Disease Prevention And Control (CDC) says the level of poisoning brought on by chlorine depends on the person’s amount and length of time of exposure to the chemical.
If there is anything I’ve learned about health, it is that our bodies respond to environmental factors in highly variable ways! So watch yourself and your children, and be sure to notice any reactions that might be occurring due to consistent chlorine exposure. Even from pools with levels that are low.
I have some VERY simple safety tips below for ya too! Let’s just say that the “safety data” that comes from our public agencies isn’t always in amounts that I’d agree with.
WHY DID I CHOOSE THESE INGREDIENTS?
Vitamin C – Vitamin C is known to neutralize the chemical impact of chlorine! While there are two forms and we sometimes use both in our home, sodium ascorbate is more easily absorbed and also does not lower your body’s Ph. We definitely don’t want to do that after a chemical exposure!
Lavender Essential Oil – An essential oil that soothes the skin and is great for after sun exposure. Also supports healthy pathways in the sinuses and ears which can be aggravated after swimming!
Geranium Essential Oil – Another powerful skin soothing oil that also supports the respiratory system and calming the nervous system. When we’re exposed to chemicals like chlorine, our nervous system can be ramped up and looking for a fight.
SAFETY TIPS
Before I dive into this recipe, let me give you a safety tip that has made a HUGE difference in our home. With all three of my pregnancies, I swam 3-4 times a week for an hour.
It was the only exercise I could do without pain. With my oldest, I would wreak of chlorine no matter what I did. I always showered and soaped after and still could NOT get rid of that stench! With my second I started showering BEFORE because I had seen an article talking about saturating your pores with water before jumping in the pool. And you know what? It made all the difference.
I never smelled like chlorine, and I’d also started using my detox spray with great results!
BE SURE TO SHOWER BEFORE GETTING IN A CHLORINATED POOL WHENEVER POSSIBLE!
AFTER SWIMMING DETOX SPRAY RECIPE
- 4-5 oz spray bottle ( I use THIS one because it sprays on so well and makes it easy on the mom of all toddlers!) –
- 2 teaspoon vitamin C (as sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid)
- 15 drops Lavender
- 15 drops Geranium
- Fill with water and spray on the skin over as much of the body as possible after swimming in chlorinated pools!
DECREASING THE TOXIC LOAD
As you know from above, we need to be aware of that toxic bucket. We’ve been able to replace nearly ALL the products in our home with safe, effective, AND health supportive products. To find out more about what we use, click HERE. You can also click HERE for a few of our education classes we have up for ya!
Hello,
For the after swimming detox spray can we use one of the Young Living Super C options?
You can definitely crush up the Super C and use that!
It says 2teaspoons vit c, would you recommend 1 or 2 crushed up super c chewables?
Nikki, you can definitely use the Super C chewables. I don’t know how many would make the 2 teaspoons, but you can just measure it out as you go. Let us know if you try it!
Thank you so much for this Beth.
As long as we give you the credit may we use this information on our posts?♥️
Hi Brenda! Like with any blog, the site with link would need to be referenced when sharing. Thanks so much for checking!
Do you have any recipes to support healthy hair with all the chlorine? My daughters both swim on teams and their hair is a mess!
Hey Samantha, I have read a bit on that and I’ve found that Lavender and Geranium essential oils tend to be at the list for helping keep hair healthy. Sulfurzyme, an MSM supplement is also phenomenal for hair as well as athletes to help repair and rebuild muscles and tissues. Shoot me a note if you want more info on that!
Is it normal for the spray to turn orange? Is it still o.k.to use? It did this about 2=3 weeks after it was made.
Hey Elizabeth! Yes, it can! The vitamin C, depending on what you use, can turn a little orange. Mine does with the sodium ascorbate!
This is great! Thanks Beth for sharing these tips!
You’re so welcome, Shadi!