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Reducing toxic cleaning chemicals is
not only good for the planet. It's good for our health. Is there a
difference in so-called natural cleaning products? What is
eco-friendly and what is simply a good advertising campaign?
Claims for “natural” products are made by many manufacturers. The
word is unregulated by the government so companies who want to get
your attention can use the word without recompense. When you think
about it, dirt is natural. But that's what you're trying to get rid
of. Let's get serious here and find some easy ways to clean
naturally.
Take a look at your
cleaning supplies. In one year, cleaning products were responsible
for approximately 10 percent of toxic exposures reported to the U.S.
poison control centers. And worse of all, over half of these calls
concerned children under the age of six. Corrosive drain
cleaners, oven cleaners, many toilet bowl cleaners and anything that
contains chlorine or ammonia can be extremely hazardous.
Read the ingredients
and if you must use one of these, be sure it is kept safely away
from small children.
In the meantime, you only need a few
simple ingredients for keeping your home spotless. Stock up on
Castile or vegetable oil based soap, baking soda, vinegar (a huge
favorite), sodium carbonate, lemon juice, orange oil and borax. They
are just about the only products you really need.
For a general cleaner mix 3 teaspoons
vinegar, one half teaspoon washing soda, one half teaspoon liquid
soap and two cups water. Place the mixture in a spray bottle. One
half cup Borax and one gallon hot water or undiluted vinegar makes a
good disinfectant. Baking soda can be used straight out of the box
or make a paste with a little water. It not only removes tough
spills and cleans silver but it leaves a clean smell – and best of
all, it's cheap, cheap, cheap.
White vinegar is the workhorse of cleaners
with thousands of uses. It will cut grease; clean windows and
mirrors; shine chrome fixtures and remove the soap buildup in your
dishwasher. Use it full strength to remove hard water deposits.
Nothing works in the kitchen like citrus
cleaner. Make a pleasant-smelling floor cleaner by combining a
gallon of hot water, 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 15 drops
of sweet orange essential oil and 8 drops of lemon essential oil (or
one-quarter cup of lemon juice instead of lemon essential oil). Mix
the ingredients in a large bucket. Dip a mop into the mixture and
wring well. Mop the floor in sections, using short strokes. Dip and
rinse the mop as needed. Rinsing isn't necessary.
When you spray air fresheners you are filling the air with
chemicals. For a more natural approach simmer water with bits of
cloves, cinnamon, vanilla or lemons, limes and oranges. Make your
own spray freshener using essential oils such as lavender,
lemongrass, pine or wintergreen. Mix four drops of the oil to one
pint of water.
Copyright 2008 PropertySource Network
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