Green Your Clean - Household Essentials

It doesn’t take a scientist to tell you that products labeled with warnings such as "danger" and "harmful or fatal if swallowed" should not be used around humans, particularly younger, inquisitive, crawling types. If you are committed to creating a healthy, non-toxic household environment for your family, I recommend taking a toxic tour of your home. You may be surprised to find the dish on your favorite detergent.

Many companies now offer green alternatives to all-purpose cleaning agents, laundry and dishwashing detergents, and other conventional cleaning products. Check out The Green Guide for the top ten ingredients you should avoid. If you are uncertain about a company’s claims, be sure to visit the eco-labels center on GreenerChoices.org.

In your fervor to rid your home of toxic toilet bowl cleaners and the like, remember to dispose responsibly. Check out your local Department of Public Works for information on proper disposal.

With a few ingredients you probably have around the house, you can clean virtually anything. Here is a list that will help get you started on your green path to clean.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Use a 3% concentration as a bleaching agent, stain remover, disinfectant, and antiseptic

Baking Soda: From stain remover to odor remover you can use this fabulously inexpensive product in 500 different ways.

Lemon Juice: Why stop at cooking? Use it to deodorize, remove grease, bleach stains, and disinfect.

Borax: Freshen and sanitize with this common component of over-the-counter detergents. Use caution around children as it can be toxic if ingested.

Castile Soap: It’s uses are many and include all-purpose cleaning and de-greasing. Use it in both your clothes and dish washers.

Vinegar: Among it’s 400 documented uses, vinegar can be used as a disinfectant, deodorizer, stain remover, drain cleaner, window cleaner, and fabric softener.

Washing Soda, Soda Ash: Chemically related to baking soda, use it as a water softener with your laundry detergent, a grease and stain remover, descaling agent, and mold remover.

Mineral Oil: Use it as a stain remover and natural furniture polish and floor wax.

Club Soda: Use it as a stain remover on carpet and upholstery and as a polish cleaner on floors. I’ll drink to that!

Cornstarch: Clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets, and starch clothes with this binder typically used in foods.

Don’t forget to pick up some organic pure essential oils. They smell wonderful and each has it’s own unique cleaning properties. Be sure to store them out of reach since their highly concentrated nature can be hazardous to children and pets.

Lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus oil are notable for possessing antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Eucalyptus oil is effective at cutting grease and soap scum. Use it on dishes, countertops, and shower doors.

Lemon oil is effective at eliminating odors. Add it to any of your natural cleaning products for a fresh lemon scent.

Jasmine oil is particularly effective against mold and mildew.

Check out Mountain Rose Herbs, and Florapathics for lavishly green essential oils!

Next week I’ll give you some fab ways to use your new green, all-natural ingredients for cleaning everything…including the kitchen sink!