10 Everyday Things That Aren’t as Harmless as We Thought

Every day, we come across a lot of different things, and they seem convenient and modern. We feel really progressive with them, and we believe we care about ourselves and the world. And we use most of them without even thinking. Unfortunately, when used in the wrong way, some of them can easily harm our health.

We at Bright Side have found out about the downsides there are in the things we think are useful, and we will offer some tips on how to deal with them best.

Cotton tote bags

If you regularly use the same cotton tote bag, it’s most likely very dirty. We use them as an alternative to plastic bags that we obviously don’t wash. But cotton bags need a different approach.

Most people admit that they have never washed their reusable bags, and that’s a mistake. Residue from foods like meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables inevitably leads to the development of dangerous microorganisms, so you should wash your bag at least once a week, if not after each use.

Besides, reusable cotton bags are not as eco-friendly as we think. Their production requires tons of water. They are not always possible to recycle because the logos of the brands printed on them often contain PVC. The most eco-friendly bags are those made from recycled plastic.

Memory foam pillows and mattresses

These mattresses and pillows bend under your weight and then restore their shape. This way, the neck, head, and entire body are supported. Depending on the position a person sleeps in, they need different types of mattresses and pillows. This is why it’s important to make the right choice, or you will have very poor sleep and aches and pains.

Those that feel hot at night should remember that some memory foam pillows retain body heat. If you sleep with someone else in the same bed, the mattress that is good for your back may be bad for the person next to you or vice versa.

Menstrual cups

Menstrual cups are usually considered safe in the medical community. And even though negative consequences are unlikely, it’s better to be as safe as possible.

The wrong size cup may cause irritation. To prevent infection, wash your hands very well before and after using one. These simple rules may help you avoid a lot of unpleasant problems. Also, read the manual carefully before using.

Lace underwear

Good-looking underwear hides a lot of dangers. Very often, lace underwear cause irritation or press on tender skin too hard. Besides, synthetic fabrics, silk, and polyester retain heat and moisture which creates a good environment for bacteria.

Ideally, every inch of the underwear should be made from cotton or at least have a cotton lining. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear lace underwear at all, but it’s better to wear it less often.

Wet wipes

Wet wipes seem very practical, and they are very convenient to carry with you.

But there are some problems. Wet wipes spread bacteria if you wipe several surfaces with the same wipe. So, if you need to do a little cleaning, it’s better to use water and soap.

Besides, most wet wipes contain microplastic fibers that are partially non-biodegradable. If they get into the sea, they harm sea life.

Toothpaste

We mean the kinds of toothpaste that contain micro granules that whiten and polish tooth enamel. The thing is, these granules are microplastics. They might contain toxins that are bad for our health.

Also, not using this toothpaste will improve the ecological situation on our planet, making it a healthier place for us to live.

Cotton pads

Cotton pads help us remove makeup and apply beauty products to our faces. But you might have noticed that cotton absorbs more liquids than it distributes.

Besides, cotton is a pretty rough material that can be abrasive to tender skin. The fibers can get stuck in the eyes or eyelashes, and on the skin. And cotton pads are not that great for removing makeup.

Air ionizers

Air ionizers are very popular among people that care about the air in their homes and their health. Manufacturers claim that these devices can destroy viruses and bacteria and improve how we feel. As it turns out, there are some downsides.

Studies show that ionizers really do decrease the presence of some bad organic compounds in the air. But at the same time, they might increase the amount of acetone and ethanol in the air. These compounds may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. To avoid these risks, it’s better to use air purifiers with filters and without ionization.

Glitter

For many decades, people have used glitter to decorate things. In different time periods, glitter was made from rocks, glass, and even insects. Modern glitter is made from aluminum and plastic. Lately, it’s become trendy to put glitter on the face as part of makeup. But there are certain risks in this application.

You can easily inhale the small particles, or they might get into your body with food. This is just as bad as inhaling exhaust. Besides, glitter has very sharp edges, so don’t let it get into your eyes.

Protective footwear

Of course, protective footwear helps us avoid spreading dirt around the room and keeps the floor visually clean. But it doesn’t mean that the invisible germs from the soles of our shoes are not on the floor.

Studies show that people that wear protective footwear leave almost as many germs as those that don’t.

Which of these things do you use regularly? Have you noticed any negative consequences?