Clean and Green

Randi Ragan
March 26, 2011

Spring cleaning is upon us once again, and rather than dread the chore of rolling up your sleeves and getting into the old "elbow grease," consider that this year, very simply and with no great personal expense, you can green up your cleaning practices.  You'll not only save money, you'll rid your home of harmful chemicals, and take a stand for dear old Mother Earth.

Why Clean Green?

Many of the antibacterial products heavily marketed and expensively packaged for consumers, clean no better than soap and water. They can also breed some forms of "super bacteria," which becomes resistant to regular cleaning with soap and water.  A key component of many anti-bacterial soaps and cleansers is triclosan. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems.

The contents of many chemical cleaners leave residues on surfaces and toxins in the air, and then later leach into the environment and ground water.

Here are some common major brand cleaning ingredients and their potent effects on human health:

• Ammonia: Eye and lung irritant, dangerous and poisonous when mixed with bleach.
• Formaldehyde: Intense irritant and suspected carcinogen.
• Hydrochloric Acid: Can burn skin and is a severe digestive irritant if swallowed. Subtle and dangerous.
• Sodium Hydroxide (Lye): Poisonous and corrosive, fatal if swallowed.
• Paradichlorobenzenes: Highly irritating to mucous membranes, very toxic.
• Butyl Cellosolve: Easily absorbed by the skin, and can cause harm to liver, kidneys and nervous system.
• Ethanol: An alcohol, extremely flammable, and if ingested can cause severe digestive upset, nausea, vomiting and even death.

Green Cleaning Solutions

These are the essential products to have in your green home cleaning cupboard. They are cheap, natural, and easy to buy:

• Baking Soda: Natural deodorizer and lightly abrasive.
• Lemon Juice: Wonderful de-greaser, deodorizes.
• White Distilled Vinegar: All-around great cleaner.
• Grapefruit Seed Extract: Has amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it indispensable. Please note: Must be used with caution - it's powerful!
• Salt: Super cleaner and degreaser.
• Liquid Soap: Read the label carefully.  The contents should be olive oil, vegetable oil or glycerin based. Kinder to you and the environment.
• Essential Oils: For natural air fresheners they are unsurpassable. Lavender and tea tree oil have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Try to use organic if possible. Please note: Essential oils must be used with caution. Never ingest essential oils and never apply undiluted to skin.

Some good, all purpose recipes for making your own cleaners:

Baking Soda

Mix ¼ cup baking soda in a spray bottle of water to use as general cleaner.

The next time you do laundry, try adding 1/2 cup to a cup to your load to deodorize.

Before you vacuum, sprinkle it on your carpet as a deodorizer.

Antifungals/Disinfectants.

To keep mold at bay and to disinfect countertops and toilets, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, or 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract to 1 quart of water.

No-Streak Glass Cleaner

For sparkling mirrors and windows, combine 1/4 cup undiluted white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, several drops of your favorite essential oil scent, and 1 quart warm water.  For a streak-free shine, wipe dry with a sheet of crumpled newspaper or a coffee filter. (cloth and paper towels will streak)

Tile and Grout Paste

1 cup water and 3 cups baking soda mixed into a paste works great for cleaning tile and grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste into grout.

All-purpose spray

Fill a water spray bottle with half water and half vinegar.    Add 4 or 5 drops of lemon and eucalyptus essential oil.   Lemon and eucalyptus essential oils are naturally antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. It leaves the walls, benches, floors and surfaces smelling great.  And, vinegar of course is great for zapping germs and bacteria.

Wood Floor Cleaning Solution

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tsp. vegetable glycerin

20 drops lemon essential oil
Water

Combine in a 20 oz. spray bottle. Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors. Your floors will be glossy and clean!

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix together ½ cup olive oil to ¼ cup lemon juice. I like to add a couple of drops of lavender oil to this mix -- smells amazing! Rub in a small amount to the wood surface and then wipe clean with a soft dry cloth. Lovely shine with a hint of lavender!

Lemon Laundry White Brightener

Add ½ - 3/4 c. of lemon juice to the rinse cycle in your washing machine when doing a load of whites and see them brighten up, naturally!

Clogged Drains

Pour a ½ box of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar, then chase with a tea kettle full of  boiling water.  Take care to protect your eyes as the solution will bubble and foam and might spit.

Washing Antique Linens (tablecloths, curtains, napkins, etc.)

Spray stains with a mixture of 1 tsp of peroxide and 1 cup of water

Silver Polishing

Eliminate tarnish by rubbing a dab of toothpaste with a soft cloth on the silver object.