Be a Mean, GREEN, Cleaning Machine!

          A few years ago when our lovable golden retriever was just a puppy, my husband, George, was cleaning the toilet. He walked away for a minute to answer a phone call when Hallie (our furry first born child) decided to seize the opportunity to investigate the delicious looking blue liquid. She got one good tongue full before George caught her. Needless to say we were terribly worried about our baby and rushed her to the vet. Luckily, she was fine.
          Not far into the future and I was pregnant with our first child, Brayden. I decided that I no longer wanted all these chemicals in the house. If I couldn't even clean the house myself when I was pregnant, I certainly didn't want my child getting into the stuff. But we live in a time where we are bombarded with ads for the newest and greatest chemical laden cleaner for this and that. We are had to believe that we need a separate cleaner for every surface in our homes. One for the kitchen counter, one for the bathroom sink, one for the toilet, one for the floors, and well you get the point.
          Detergents, degreasers, stain removers and pesticides have made our homes miniature chemical factories. . If these hazardous products in the home are ingested, absorbed through the skin or inhaled they can cause illness that may only appear years later.
Over 100 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, psychological abnormalities, skin reactions, headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, loss of sleep, asthma. . .the list goes on.
          Research suggests that exposure to cleaning products or air fresheners that contain a certain volatile organic compound (VOC) called 1,4 dicholorobenzene (1,4 DCB), can reduce lung function by 4 percent. Another study found that the use of spray household cleaners could increase the risk of developing asthma by nearly 50 percent.
          A third study, reported by University of Washington researchers in the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review, found that the fumes from air fresheners and fragrances contain hazardous toxins, none of which were listed on product labels since companies are not required by the federal government to disclose the ingredients in these products. Yet another study suggests that there is a strong link between breast cancer and air fresheners and mould and mildew removers.

          Here are the top six worst household offenders:
1. Ammonia
Not only can ammonia trigger asthma, it can kill if mixed with common bleach. Prolonged exposure to ammonia can cause chemical burns to the lungs and skin as well as scarring of the cornea.
2. Carpet Shampoo
Some shampoos used for carpets contain perchloroethylene, a known carcinogen, which can cause kidney, and nervous system damage. Some also have ammonium hydroxide, which is an eye, skin and lung irritant.
3. Dishwasher detergents
Many of the common dishwasher products have dry chlorine and are the #1 cause of accidental child poisonings. You can possibly absorb the particles of dry chlorine that may still remain on your dishes as you heat your food. Damage to mucous membranes and the throat are also some of the problems associated with dishwasher detergents.
4. Furniture polish
Petroleum distillates are often found in many furniture polishes. Now only are they very flammable, but they can also cause lung and skin cancer. Other chemicals in furniture polishes to watch out for are phenol and nitrobenzene which can be absorbed through the skin.
5. Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Often containing hydrochloride acid which is a corrosive, they can irritate the eyes and skin and can cause possible damage to the kidney sand liver. Toilet bowl cleaners are very dangerous if swallowed, causing vomiting, coma and under some circumstances, pulmonary edema.
6. Air fresheners
A common chemical in many air fresheners is formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen, as well as phenol which can cause hives, and the burning and peeling of the skin.         

          Not only are these cleaners hazardous to your health, but they endanger the environment by contaminating our groundwater, lakes and oceans. Many common household cleaning products are actually classified as hazardous waste! The average household disposes of their cleaners in the trash or dumps it down the sink. Think before you pour waste down the sink. Only natural substances should be disposed in our sewer systems. If you decide to get rid of yours please take them to your county's hazardous waste collection center.
          The good news is you don't have to use any of this junk to have a clean house. Many brands offer "green" cleaners without harsh chemicals. Brands like Seventh Generation makes great eco-friendly cleaners. Even the makers of Clorox now have a green line called Green Works. While these are a vast improvement over the traditional cleaners, why spend $3-10 on a bottle of green cleaner when you can easily and cheaply make your own?

          In our house, we now use white vinegar and baking soda to clean almost everything. You can buy both in bulk for pennies on the dollar compared to the brand  name commercial cleaners. Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring.
         White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. 

• One part vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle will clean most countertops, floors, and mirrors.

          Undiluted white vinegar, straight from the jug, makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum.

• Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

• Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.

• Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue--a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

• Put a bowl of 1-2 cups of vinegar in the microwave for 30seconds to one minute. It will loosen up food particles and stains to easily be wiped away.

          Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders.

• Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink.

• For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove. 

• Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! However, don't use this method on blocked drains.

• We also use baking soda to sprinkle in our diaper pale and trash can to keep odors at bay.

          When it comes to harsh chemical that can harm you, your family, your pets, and the environment, Less Is More! Happy cleaning!