Clean and Green Solutions
For a better environment, a better mind, and a better
future.
What are the risks of the commercial cleaning products you use in
your home and around your family? Are you familiar with the toxins
in them?
Aside from having a negative impact on the environment, many toxins
in these products are absorbed through the skin or through
inhalation. What if you could easily and inexpensively clean your
home the NON TOXIC way? Would you choose to do so?
FIRST...SOME FACTS
Commercial cleaning products and their ingredients;
Complex phosphates chlorinated phosphates, morpholine, naphtha,
Butyl cellusolve, sodium nitrate, stoddard solvent; these are common
ingredients found in all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, and glass
cleaners.
Stoddard solvent, naphtha and very toxic materials such as
morpholine are considered hazardous waste. Chlorinated materials can
form organo-chlorine compounds which in turn are stored in fat cells
and can enter mothers' milk. Butyl cellusolve is highly toxic. Many
of these ingredients are neurotoxins and central nervous system
depressants which can cause headaches, lack of concentration,
confusion and symptoms of mental illness.
WHAT YOU CAN DO! THROW OUT THE TOXINS IN YOUR CABINETS - THERE ARE
BETTER WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR HOME.
Here are some products to purchase to help keep your home clean AND
safe;
ESSENTIAL OILS
BAKING SODA
WHITE VINEGAR
CASTILE SOAP
GSE (grapefruit seed extract) **
SAFE INGREDIENTS
Essential Oils are the volatile liquids derived from plants, trees,
shrubs, flowers, etc. They are the life force of the plants, much
like blood is to us. Some of the qualities of Essential Oils are
known to be:
Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-microbial, Anti-infectious,
Antiseptic, Anti-parasitic, Anti-viral, etc.
Baking Soda is derived from a naturally occurring mineral left
behind after the evaporation of an inland lake in Wyoming. The
mineral is converted into sodium bicarbonate - baking soda. It is a
mild abrasive and absorbs odors well.
White Vinegar is a food grade product that everyone probably already
has in his or her cabinets. Vinegar cuts grease, inhibits mold
growth, dissolves mineral accumulation and freshens the air.
Castille Soap is a mild liquid soap derived from olive oil.
**GSE or grapefruit seed extract is a product that is said to
destroy over 800 varieties of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. There
is a controversy over this product as there are 2 studies that
indicate the anti bacterial action is causes by a preservative. I
personally am continuing to use this as my instinct tells me that
the studies were commissioned by someone with an agenda. There are
dozens upon dozens of studies touting the proof of the anti viral,
fungal and bacterial properties and none of the authors of these
studies discovered any constituents in GSE that the 2 studies
mentioned above did.
CLEAN SOLUTIONS
Now some ways to use the above ingredients to help clean your
home...naturally!
ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
1 Quart Spray Bottle
1-3 cups White Vinegar (the stronger the job, the more vinegar)
1 Teaspoon Castille Soap
25-35 drops Essential Oil
35-50 drops GSE
WINDOW CLEANER
1 Quart Spray Bottle
White Vinegar
10-15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Fill bottle half way with Vinegar. Fill balance of bottle with water
and add Essential Oil. Shake and use. **It may be advisable to clean
windows/mirrors with alcohol first to eliminate build up from
commercial window cleaners.
AIR FRESHENER
Diffuse essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser or make room
spritzers by filling a spritzer bottle with water and adding EOs.
OVEN CLEANER
It's easiest to care for your oven if you clean it regularly. Wet
the tough spots with water, cover in baking soda and let sit for at
least an hour. Scrub with a sponge and sponge rinse as well.
ANTI BACTERIAL SOAP
Fill pump dispensers with Castile Soap, add GSE and EOs (lavender,
melaleuca to name 2).
More recipes to follow as I try/use them. Currently, we use store
bought natural Dishwashing liquid, Dishwasher liquid and Laundry
Soap. I've tried some laundry soap recipes without any luck but
haven't given up hope.
In the meantime, try
http://www.care2.com for more recipes.
Written by Lauren McGinley, AP mama to 2 spirited
boys. Visit her site:
http://www.healthyparenting.net for more about attachment
parenting, alternative parenting, positive discipline, natural
living, organic whole food eating and holistic health.
See also:
Natural Carpet Cleaning
Recipe
Natural Dishwasher Soap
Recipe
Green Cleaning Products:
