Did you know? The average household contains 62 toxic chemicals (source). They usually come in an innocent looking bottle, you can buy it at the supermarket and it sits in your cupboard at home. At first glance, these products don’t appear to be hurting anyone. However, it’s what’s on the inside that matters most. Household fabric protector sprays and cleaning products are the silent sinners, wreaking havoc on our health and the environment. For years, mainstream fabric protectors were praised for their remarkable ability to repel anything from water to wine, dirt and oil. We’ve since discovered that the adverse effects of these toxic stain guards significantly outweighs their value when they contain fluorocarbons, which are believed to be carcinogenic. So much so, that one of them had to be banned a few years ago, when traces of the toxic chemical it contained were found in blood samples of the general population. Protecting fabrics using highly toxic products is coming at a significant cost to our health and the environment. Knowing what’s actually inside the bottle and what each ingredient does to our health is the first step in banishing the bad guys once and for all, and in finding eco friendly alternatives.   The main culprits Until now, the hazardous and toxic chemicals in fabric protector sprays may have simply been words on the back of a bottle that you probably glanced over. Most of us are unable to pronounce these words, let alone comprehend their effects on our livelihood. Keep your eyes peeled for these chemicals: Hydrotreated heavy naphtha Propane, Butane, Isobutane or Ethylbenzen Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane Flammable Aerosole These chemicals, known as PFAS, PFOS or PFC, are manufactured compounds that do not break down. This applies to the environment, and also to our bodies. Exposure to these harmful toxins can lead to their accumulation in our bodies, raising the likelihood of long term health concerns. In tests, 3M gave very high dosages to monkeys, who had convulsions, and to rats, whose offspring died. The main culprits that contain these toxic ingredients are fabric protectors and water repellent sprays, but also cleaning products, paints, varnishes, non-stick cookware and (even more shockingly) personal care products. Other toxic additives include fragrances and carcinogens, which can be problematic for allergy or asthma sufferers.   What they’re doing to you Studies* undertaken on humans with PFA exposure have shown that the compounds could induce the following: Growth, learning or behavioural defects in children Reduced fertility Hormonal imbalances Increased cholesterol levels A weakened immune system Increased risk of cancer Disruption to liver, thyroid & pancreas function Scientists are continuing to study the effects of PFAs on human health, and it’s likely the results will be daunting. *Sources: NSW Government, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USA Environmental Protection Agency, MLive.com.   Make the change to non toxic products It’s time to detox your home and put your family’s health first! The good news is non-toxic household products exist. Choose water-based fabric protectors and natural all-purpose cleaners that won’t pose a long term risk to you and your family’s health. Contrary to popular belief, eco friendly stain guards are actually more effective and durable than mainstream products containing unnecessary, harmful ingredients. Start making smart choices that will have a positive effect on your future! View our range of non-toxic fabric protectors and start protecting your family, as well as your fabrics.

You've embraced meat-free Monday, you remember to pack your reusable shopping bags, and now you’re looking to take that next step in sustainable living. Switching to vegan and cruelty-free household products is a great way to support ethical brands and eliminate toxic chemicals and other nasties from your home.   Conscious protection: vegan AND cruelty-free What are vegan and cruelty-free products? Vegan products do not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients Cruelty-free products are created without any form of animal testing Beware, vegan products aren’t necessarily cruelty-free and cruelty-free products aren’t necessarily vegan!    Ingredients to rethink Making ethical choices about your fabric protector can be difficult. Just like harmful chemicals, animal products are often listed under long, hard to pronounce names. We’re often left with no clue as to what's actually in the bottle.Here are a few you’ll need to keep your eye out for: Lanolin – A waxy substance from sheep wool Bees wax – A wax made by bees Oleyl Alcohol – An unsaturated fatty oil from fish Caprylic Acid – A fatty acid from milk Tallow – Rendered beef fat Unfortunately all of these and many other animal products are common ingredients in mainstream fabric protectors.To help protect and prolong the life of your upholstery, clothing and car interiors the clean way, look instead for protectors that contain no animal products or toxic ingredients. protectME is a vegan and cruelty free stain guard (not to mention eco friendly) that you can feel good about. With no animal products, no animal testing and fully recyclable packaging; you and your family, fur babies included, can enjoy the benefits of a fresh and stain free home, without the ethical concerns. Read our Ingredients and About us pages to find out more about our ethical commitment.   Love for our animal friends A sterile, indoor laboratory is no place for an animal. Animals are subject to harmful and often fatal experiments, and it’s no surprise more and more people are making the change to support more sustainable brands that have a conscience. Even if you don’t personally follow a vegan or a plant based diet, choosing ethical and local brands is a no brainer.There are lots of options available when it comes to stain proofing your life, and it can be hard to navigate the labels while you try to make an ethical choice.With protectME, you can protect with confidence. Our vegan fabric protector is a cruelty free alternative that hasn’t sacrificed quality. The absence of chemicals and animal products doesn’t mean your home is any less protected.Our water based, vegan stain guard is proven to perform better than traditional fabric sprays in every way: it is more durable, and won’t poison you or our Mother Earth.Protect your items from day to day wear and little accidents rather than paying for expensive professional cleaning or replacing them every time they get a stain. If you’re on a journey to reduce your waste, you’ll also appreciate that this leads to less household wastage, a greener, more sustainable lifestyle, plus more money in your pocket.Protect your home with our vegan stain guard and feel confident about reducing your impact on the environment! For more inspiration on how to live a non-toxic life with your family, check out our other articles and follow us on social media.