Household Cleaners and your Health.
Even in the cleanest homes.. our homes are filled with toxic and polluting substances disguised under the name “household cleaners.”
Designed to make domestic life easier, the price may be cheaper than the rival green solutions BUT the cost of these chemically derived products are high. Health concerns regarding household cleaners isn’t something new. They can cause long term health concerns for your family, pets, and the environment.
For many home chores, you can easily make your own products or switch to the commercial non-toxic brand alternatives. Buying these products helps promote growth of green oriented businesses which help contribute to a sustainable economy. You can vote for a healthier and environmentally responsible culture with your hard earned dollars. You want the best for you and your family, right? Why not the best health and wellness? Start right in your own home with these small steps.
Homemade House Cleaning Alternatives:
This can be really inexpensive, easy-to-use, and all natural. Below I have cultivated a list of the common, environmentally safe products that I have IN my pantry that I use solo or in combo for a variety of household uses.
Baking Soda cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap (avoid any containing petroleum distillates) unscented soap comes in liquid, flakes, powders, or bars. It is biodegradable and will clean just about anything.
Lemon one of the strongest acidic foods, effective antibacterial and antifungal properties, lemon is a great cleaner! Gentle but tough enough for cleaning the body, metal surfaces, dishes, and clothes.
White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. An entire jug is SUPER cheap and goes a long way.
Cornstarch – can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
Combination Homemade House Cleaning Alternatives:
I make sure I label all my combinations so that I don’t mix any of them up. Easy to put into recyclable containers and store. They can be just as convenient as commercial cleaners.. and without all the harmful added fluff and cost.
All Purpose Spray/Scrub: Mix 1 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda into a recycled gallon. Add in 1/4 cup lemon essential oil for added antibacterial and anti fungal properties. The lemon-zest scent is just the added PERK! You can use this all-purpose cleaner for removal of water stains, mildew in the shower, on your bathroom fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. The uses are almost endless. IF you have a surface you are worried about the cleaner being problematic, always test a small spot first to make sure. I haven’t found a normal home surface that this stuff doesn’t clean like a pro.
Odor Reducers:
Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small reusable containers absorb odors around the house and prevent you from having to buy things like febreeze that can be detrimental for your health.
One thing my grandma swore by was: houseplants. They help reduce odors in the home and naturally detoxify your air.
Decrease cooking odors by simmering white vinegar (1 tbsp to every 1 cup of water) on the stovetop while cooking. You can also rid strong scents like onion off utensils and cutting boards by wiping them with white vinegar and washing them in soapy water.
Weird odors from the sink?? Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
Especially during the fall and holiday season when its too cold to open the windows for fresh air, I LOVE to simmer water, cinnamon, and other spices on stovetop for a safe and aromatic alternative.
Plastic food containers: soak overnight in water and baking soda. Clean normal after.
Carpets: sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming.
Mildew and Stain removers:
Bathroom mildew: Mildew in bathroom tile is common and can be a health concern. Why add more harsh chemicals to the one place you are trying to cleanse from the day’s work? Mix one cup hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two cups water in a spray bottle. You can simply spray on areas with mildew and wait one hour before rinsing or using shower.
Carpet spots: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on the stain, let sit for several minutes, and scrub with a sponge using warm soapy water.
Cutting board cleaner: Beets for me are the WORST. Lemon to the rescue. Half a lemon and wipe that board down. For harder stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto that spot and let sit for 20 minutes, then wipe and clean per normal.
To disinfect my kitchen sponges, I just run them through the dishwasher with a load.
Drain Cleaner: Pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1 cup white vinegar and let soak 20 minutes. Then pour 6 cups boiling water to clear the residue. Should be squeaky clean. Do not use this after trying a commercial drain opener. Vinegar can react with the commercial drain cleaner and produce dangerous fumes.
