Healthy Home Cleaners

We all like a clean home, and spring is synonymous with cleaning. But what about the products we use? Are they cleaning the home but harming our health? If you read the label on your bathroom or kitchen cleaner, it likely includes warnings about exposure to skin, or maybe warns of possible breathing problems. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals we use in our home to clean and disinfect can come at a cost to our health and the environment. There are many products you can use for a squeaky-clean and healthy home.

Here are some ideas to consider when getting ready to spring clean.

Healthy Home Cleaners

Baking soda

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, has been used for cleaning purposes for thousands of years. Baking soda is a good option when scrubbing is needed. A paste made with baking soda and a little water will scrub most stains from the oven or refrigerator. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so don’t use it on any surfaces that can be easily scratched.

Tips for using baking soda as a cleaner:

• Soak glass baking dishes in soapy water with two tablespoons of baking soda. They can be cleaned easily after a short soak.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet about 15 minutes before you vacuum.
• Baking soda will help eliminate odors; place an open box in your refrigerator to absorb food odors.
• Baking soda will safely remove stains from sinks, bathtubs, and is great for cleaning greasy pots, pans, and baking sheets.
• Create a paste with baking soda and water or vinegar to use as a cleanser.  

Vinegar

Vinegar kills bacteria and eliminates mold and mildew and is environmentally friendly. A good all-purpose cleaner, vinegar cuts through grease and dirt.

Tips for using vinegar in household cleaning:

• Combine vinegar with baking soda to help keep sluggish sink drains moving.
• You can create a very simple “general purpose” cleaning spray using one-part vinegar to one-part water.
• If you don’t like the smell of the vinegar by itself, add a few drops of organic essential oil, such as tea tree, peppermint or lemon.
• A combination of vinegar and dish soap can also be used for general cleaning in bathrooms and kitchens. Combine one-part vinegar and one part dish soap to two parts water. Mix well and use in a spray bottle.
• Create a household cleaner with a 50-50 combination of vinegar and water.
• Olive oil mixed with vinegar can be used as a natural leather cleaner and rejuvenator. Be sure to test all cleaning solutions on a small area first.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to whiten grout and clean the toilet bowl. A 50-50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water will work to soak out the stink from kitchen sponges.

Read Cleaning Product Labels

Look out on cleaning product labels. According to the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Working Group and the American Lung Association, these are some of the top harmful ingredients to look out for in householder cleaners, air fresheners, dish soap, and laundry detergents and fabric softeners:

1. Phthalates
2. Perchloroethylene (PERC)
3. Triclosan
4. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS)
5. 2-Butoxyethanol
6. Ammonia
7. Chlorine
8. Sodium Hydroxide

Organic and Green Cleaners

There are a number of products sold that are labeled organic or green. Many companies market products as natural but include ingredients that are harmful to your family, your pets, and the environment.  Be sure to read the label carefully to verify ingredients. Make sure that the ingredients do not include toxic chemicals and that the cleaner is not abrasive. Research products for effectiveness and health. One website that does this is the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), a nonprofit organization that has a variety of guides for the consumer, including recommendations of cleaners and personal care products. If they don’t have a specific product listed, you can look up an ingredient to see its toxicity ratings. toxic chemicals and that the cleaner is not abrasive.

Avoid Mixing Chemicals

Ammonia and bleach are two common ingredients in household cleaners. They do the job, eliminating mold and bacteria from surfaces. However, they are irritating to the respiratory system and skin. More seriously, mixing the two together can create a toxic gas that can be fatal.

Your home should be a comfortable and healthy place for you to relax and recharge. Eliminating toxins is an important step in making your home a place of wellness for you and your family. Once you have swapped out healthier versions of cleaning products, consider looking at your choice of laundry detergent, shampoo, soap, deodorant, makeup and toothpaste to see if there are healthier options that are available to you.