Green Cleaning Products

Common household cleaners have VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) which evaporate and contaminate the air inside the house. They have many reported negative health effects.

Anti-bacterial products are not more effective at killing germs and can contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria population growth among other negative effects.

Non-toxic home-made cleaners:

• Baking soda: good for scrubbing, kills odors
• White vinegar: disinfects
• Hydrogen peroxide: disinfects and bleaches
• Lemons: cut grease
• Olive oil: polishes wood and picks up dirt
• Water and lemon juice or white vinegar: clean glass
• Half cup white vinegar and 2 drops of olive oil: polishes wood furniture
• Get fragrance free laundry detergent which has fewer chemicals
• Make your own laundry detergent out of castile soap, washing soda and borax.
• Instead of bleach, mix in half cup baking soda or washing soda. (wear gloves)
• To avoid static cling, put cotton and synthetics in the dryer separately or add a quarter of a cup white vinegar to the wash cycle

Stay local and consider places to refill cleaning products in reusable containers such as Fill & Refill, and Knapp Harvest.

Enjoy green products at City Market such as Ecos, and Simple Truth.

• Use a rag instead of paper towels when cleaning.
• Buy recycled products with the highest percentage of post consumer waste (PCW).

Air Fresheners

• Don't use aerosol which makes inhaling chemicals unavoidable, instead ventilate the house or leave out baking soda or white vinegar.
• Switch to pure essential oils.
• Avoid incense which have particulate matter in their smoke and may be carcinogenic.
• Use beeswax or soy instead of paraffin candles, which release toxins into the air when burned.