Green Cleaning Products

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.