Elizabeth Bates's Blog

BLOG: Non-Toxic Cleaning In Your Home

Green Slate (8/19/10)

More than 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities¹. That’s scary news—where are they all hiding? The answer might be even scarier—these chemicals are on the floor, in the air, in the bathtub—sneaking into people’s homes under the guise of common household cleaners.

Not to worry, it’s possible to avenge these elusive perpetrators! In today’s column, we’ll explore the possibility that making your own products could be easy and even fun…probably more fun than actually cleaning.

It’s easy to find recipes for homemade, non-toxic cleaners online, but unfortunately many of these don’t smell any better than the toxic ones they’re replacing! While vinegar is an extremely versatile and safe ingredient in many of these recipes, there’s a good chance it will elicit nose-scrunching from big people and little people alike. But wait—with a little creativity and experimentation these recipes can not only perform but also delight!

First, check the cupboards for the following key ingredients:

* Baking soda

* White vinegar

* Lemon juice

* Vegetable or olive oil

* Ethanol/rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol is petroleum-based)

Next, take the kids to the store to buy any missing ingredients, a few plastic spray bottles and Tupperware containers for storage. On the way home, stop by a natural foods store for some environmentally-friendly dishwashing liquid. Here’s the important part: before heading home, explore their essential oils to custom scent the cleaning products. Kids will enjoy sniffing the different flavors and maybe even combining them for their very own custom blend (maybe “Paige’s Peppermint Potion” will motivate her to clean up that plopped peanut butter)!

The addition of essential oils will not only make the finished product smell lovely and get the kids involved, but will also add an aromatherapy aspect each time they’re used! For example, lavender essential oil is calming and therapeutic for asthma and allergies, citrus is known for its refreshing and uplifting properties, while peppermint is energizing. Use the same scent in each product for a consistent atmosphere in the home, or mix them up for something different in each room! However you choose to do it, just be sure you label the bottles and containers, because while these recipes are non-toxic, they are not to be ingested.

As the owner of a local cleaning company, I can offer the following additional tips based on my own experience:

* When using a homemade formulation for glass and windows for the first time, wipe down the surface with pure ethanol alcohol—mainstream glass cleaners leave behind a residue that needs to be removed for optimum effectiveness.

* When using the homemade recipe for wood cleaner and polish, keep the furry ones away—not because it’s dangerous, but because it tastes good! Ingesting olive oil and lemon juice won’t hurt Sparky, but it does remove that beautiful gloss the table legs had a moment ago.

* Razor blades are surprisingly handy—use them on those near-impossible tasks such as removing burned-on food from inside the oven or the buildup that accumulates around faucets and drains. Use them as a scraper and simply wipe clean with an all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth.

* Microfiber rags are a great investment—they use less water/product and since they ‘grab’ onto dust and dirt they reduce cross-contamination. Plus, kids (or adults?) with short attention spans will love that they can make chrome accents super shiny with just a few quick polishes—no products necessary!

Let me know what you think of these recipes, or if you have run into any snags in your quest to clean green—I’d love to help!

SIDEBAR 1

Really All-Purpose Cleaner

* 1 gallon water

* 1/2 cup white vinegar

* 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

Mix together in a large container, shake gently and pour into a spray bottle for easy application. The dish detergent in this recipe not only cuts the vinegar smell but also makes it possible to use it on glass and windows as well as countertops, etc.

Bathtub + Sink Scrub

* ½ c. baking soda

* Liquid dish soap

* Essential oil to smell, if desired

In a small plastic storage container, pour in the baking soda and add any flavor of liquid dish soap. Stir the mixture until it forms a paste. Add essential oils for extra aromatherapy oomph if desired!

Wood Furniture/Floors

* 1 c olive or vegetable oil

* ½ c lemon juice

* Essential oil to smell, if desired

Store in spray bottle and gently shake before each use—spray on a microfiber or other soft cloth or mop to apply. Leaves behind a wonderful nutty, lemony smell! Store this one in the fridge to keep the lemon juice from souring.

All-Purpose Deodorizer

* 16 oz Baking soda

* 1/2 tsp essential oil of your choice, if desired

Mix well and store in covered glass jar. Set some out in a bowl for room or fridge deodorizing, shake some in the bottom of the garbage can, or sprinkle onto your carpet by hand or with a sugar shaker, then wait 10-20 minutes and vacuum normally.

Use this to clean the toilet as well by simply shaking about 2 oz. into the bowl. Let a little helper pour in some vinegar and watch it fizz, give it a swish with your toilet brush and flush!

¹Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Posted by Elizabeth Bates on Thu, Aug 19th, 2010
Last updated Thu, Aug 19th, 2010

Keywords

green elizabeth bates cleaning clean san diego green cleaning homemade cleaning products

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