to not understand why people spend money to pollute their homes with pointless chemicals?

Micro plastics and chemicals are in our water. There is no getting away from that.

Well there is an epidemic of cancer and my guess is all of the artificial and new chemicals introduced into our environment is probably not helping.

That isn't to say all "natural" stuff is good for you and all "artificial" stuff is bad for you, but basically the more different stuff you expose yourself to on a long term basis the more likely you are going to be impacted by it in a negative way.

So I try to avoid exposing myself to what I believe are unnecessary chemicals where possible. including stuff like hairspray and air fresheners.

I think this all the time. I think it's incredibly bad for our lungs, and am convinced it has to be impacting on human health in other ways. I am appalled by those new adds for "the scent will last on your sheets for 8 months!" - what they hell are we inhaling? Fairy washing machine pods is the max scent I can handle. I really hate the stench of strong washing powders. My husband sometimes gives the kids the job of wiping down the kitchen cupboards. He hands them some branded spray bottle and I usually whip it out of their hands when I see them spray a cupboard and can see the spray droplets landing on their faces. It does my head in. I used to work in an office with a motion detector spray in the loo. You'd walk into the loos, and be sprayed with noxious chemicals.

Perfume has existed for centuries too, and was popular with the wealthy in Elizabethan times, especially with the importation of new, previously unheard of spices and scents.

It was used to mask the smell of their unwashed bodies and under laundered clothes. People were pretty stinky back then,even rich people. Elizabeth I bathe once a month and some people thought that was excessive.

When we were having a discussion about the effects of food, drink, beauty products, environmental pollutants, household cleaners, etc, at uni a few years back, the lecturer commented that individual products are safety tested before being sold (although tobacco and alcohol makes a bit of a mockery of that!). But, what he did get us to question was whether these individual products are safe or harmful when used in conjunction with everything else we use, especially in the long term.

So, does anyone know what testing is done during product development to see how common items interact with other common items? I'm assuming that, for example, a skin care manufacturer will test combinations of their own products, but won't test how they behave with unrelated items(?) I mean, individually, bleach and other toilet cleaners are safe, but harmful if mixed together, for example.

Congratulations 👍

It didn’t make me remotely uncomfortable though 🤷‍♀️

I have a friend with a Bengal who likes to jump into the bath and swim around. My cat would tear me to shreds if I attempted it.

Had lots of thanks for my comment, so not concerned if you feel uncomfortable about this subject, maybe you need to be 🤷🏼‍♀️

how are baby wipes ok for a cat but not a nice bath?

Because baby wipes only touch the surface of the fur, they don't go down to the skin. They don't need a "nice bath" - they're self cleaning creatures.

do none of you have cats that steal baths when you try to run one for yourself?

No, my cats are all terrified of the bath.

Because I wipe the fur, not the skin. And only the little amount affected.

Soap on cat skin is nasty. It causes skin problems. Cats don't need baths.

Also water feels dirty to cats. They don't feel clean after. They are stressed.

That's your choice.
I chose other products.

I used warm water and wash powder and gave mine a good scrub. It was in the boot. Took a few washes and rinses and I left the boot open (it was summer) to dry out.

I have used sodium percarbonate as a cleaning agent for years. It's much cheaper than branded products and works better - it's oxygen bleach and one of the main active ingredients in Vanish. It's non-toxic and bio degradable. A scoop in the washing machine gets out nearly all stains without bleaching, as it's not a chlorine bleach. I use it to clean loos, kitchen sink, garden paths, the floor, amongst other jobs. My house smells clean. I really don't like room scents, they smell artificial, make me feel breathless, and in the end, they're just covering up other smells and making the manufacturers wealthy and contributing to landfill.

I didn’t tell people to mix them.

those of us who have no choice but to use basic soap, vinegar, and baking soda to clean have perfectly clean houses. It just takes a bit of elbow grease.

vinegar is good getting rid of odors and helps get a nice shine on things

baking soda is just a mild abrasive, mix it with a bit of water

how are baby wipes ok for a cat but not a nice bath?

do none of you have cats that steal baths when you try to run one for yourself?

No. If something gets in your car just paper towel it off. Use soap if you must.

Do not bathe your cats! That's awful and unnecessary.

My cat had Ibd so gets poop on herself often. I use baby wipes.

YANBU
Terrible for you, full of carcinogenic chemicals and microplastic. All to smell like cheap synthetic scent or ‘destroy 99.9% of bacteria’ which is an unnatural and unhealthy way for humans to live anyway.

A good foamy cleaner and Febreze.

I have no clue how to get rid of it then 😩

As to the scented candles/wax melts vs essential oils, my asthma and allergies don’t react to natural pure essential oils. They do react to manmade chemical scents. I wouldn’t visit anyone that had them in their home. I can’t even talk to someone that has strong perfume or deodorant on. Allergic asthma is awful, oh and add I can’t buy anything second hand as they will have been washed in normal washing powder.

Pets can get really sick from scented products and even some essential oils are toxic to animals.

Im absolutely with you OP. I can’t stand any scented household items but most people on here seem fine with them. I can still smell whatever is being covered up but mixed with the artificial smell. Not a good combination.

Vinegar and baking soda (bicarb) is one of those kitchen cupboard myths. They will clean, but not very well. And as a deodoriser they’re hopeless - although you do get eau de chip shop for a bit, if that’s your thing.

Vinegar’s mildly acid and baking soda is mildly alkaline, so if you mix them you just neutralise both. And each on its own is pretty ineffectual.

Really?! Unfortunately someone spilt milk in my car boot looking at you mother

I didn’t realise until I got in the car and wondered what the awful smell was!

I’ve used bicarb and white vinegar in generous amounts and the smell hasn’t even faded? Also used my vax spotwash.

Are they as good at cleaning as everyone makes out because I’m having no joy. 🤯

I do have a new tee freshener to hang in there though. 😉

I don’t bathe them often, but haven’t you ever had a cat get into a mess that had to be cleaned off? Run through paint? Had a child cover them in yogurt?