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Mom Saves World One Cleanser At A Time

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

In The Loop

Published: December 14, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - As a stay-at-home mom, Sarapage Bauguss was often cleaning up after her two young daughters. But she's changed her habits.

After doing countless hours of research on what is in cleaning products and the toxic effects she believes they have, Bauguss said she immediately decided to get rid of everything she had. She then made it her goal to help others learn about what she believes are the toxic effects and, later, decided to start her own company, Baby Girl Products, which she says sells cleaning products that are safe for the whole family.

"When they started to do all those recalls on the toys because of the lead in them, I didn't understand it," Bauguss said. "I always thought if they sell it in stores then it must be safe. I started doing research first about lead in toys, then about soaps, cosmetics and cleaning products.

"I found out most of the stuff I was using had carcinogens, reproductive toxins and neurotoxins. It is bad for you if you just breathe in the fumes or if it touches your skin, it can absorb into your bloodstream."

For about a year, Bauguss said she would tell people about the toxic environment they were creating by cleaning their homes. After a while, she was tired of just telling people about the problem, so she decided to do something about it and created more healthful products with her friend, Teresa Arrighi.

"I was the scary friend, and I didn't want to be that way," Bauguss said. "I wanted to give them something safe they could use instead of just telling people what not to use. I did research and I worked with chemists and the Environmental Protection Agency to make sure the products were safe and effective."

Bauguss started selling the cleaning products online and at parties about four months ago. The line includes dish and hand soap, glass cleaner, disinfectant, bathroom cleaner, wood furniture polish, an all-purpose cleaner and microfiber towels.

The products are so safe, she mixes and bottles them at her house in Land O' Lakes. She said now when her daughters Brinly, 3, and Bradyn, 1, want to help her clean, she lets them.

"My 3-year-old can now clean the bathroom with me, and I don't have to worry about her inhaling the cleaner, getting it on her skin, or God forbid, if she were to eat it," Bauguss said. "Many of the products I sell are edible, and if they are not, then they are still not toxic. The products I sell work as good or better then the products available and they are a much safer option."

Kristie Serra of New Tampa said she loves the Baby Girl products. She said she has been using only Baby Girl products in her home for months because they are safe for her 4-year-old twin boys Matthew and Alexander, and because they work so well.

"I love what Sarapage is doing," Serra said. "When I learned about the products, a light went off in my head. It was things I had learned about, but I had never done anything about. I tried out the products and they are just amazing. I avoided cleaning at all costs before but now that there are no fumes and no harsh chemicals, I actually like cleaning. The products work really well, they are easy to use and they work better."

Even if you don't have children, Bauguss said the switch to safer products is beneficial.

"Using the regular cleaning products makes the air inside a home three times more toxic then the air outside," Bauguss claims. "People think this is just if you have kids, but if you use cleaning products it can cause many problems. The carcinogens and toxins can cause cancer in reproductive organs and other places."

For information, visit www.babygirlproducts.com.

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