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.