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If you're looking for a greener way to clean, it's time to make a change. "About 80,000 different
chemicals are being released in the environment, but only about 2 percent of those have been tested for
safety and health," said green activist Deirdre Imus, author of "Green This! Volume One: Greening Your
Cleaning," ($16, Simon & Schuster), the first in a five-volume series covering eco-friendly alternatives for all
aspects of everyday life. "We aren't any healthier than the planet is-and the planet is polluted."
According to Imus, many traditional cleaning products contain toxins and chemicals that have shown a
link to cancer, neurological problems, hormone disorders and respiratory ailments. "It's common sense. If
we can avoid these things, why wouldn't we?" Imus said.
In the book, Imus reveals the toxic ingredients commonly found in brand-name cleaning products and
offers safe alternatives to keep homes clean without sacrificing quality or investing extra time and money.
"This doesn't have to be a big project. There are practical and easy changes that everyone can do to
immediately eliminate their exposure to harmful toxins that they are breathing and absorbing through the
skin," Imus said.
Some of the safest and most effective cleansers can be made in your own kitchen using products you
probably already have on hand, things like baking soda, white distilled vinegar, lemon juice, table salt and
essential oils.
"There are so many ways to use these products. You end up saving a lot of money," Imus said. You'll
also be saving the environment.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is Mother Nature's odor-eater. Use it in the wash cycle to eliminate odors on clothing and
linens, or combine it with the scouring properties of baking soda to freshen up sinks and drains. Lemon
juice can also be used to clean glass and remove stains from clothing, porcelain and Formica.
DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and because it contains acetic acid, it's great at removing stains and
dissolving mineral buildups. It's an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial toilet
cleansers, which can be highly acidic and toxic. Each week, pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl, scrub
the inside of the toilet and let it sit 30 minutes before flushing.
For heavy stains, scrub with a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.
BAKING SODA
Baking soda is an eco-friendly deodorizer and a great alternative to expensive carpet fresheners, which
often contain toxic synthetic chemicals. Simply sprinkle baking soda on carpeting and area rugs once a
week, wait 15 minutes or so then vacuum it up.
You can also sprinkle baking soda in kitty's litter box to cut down on offensive smells.
TABLE SALT
Salt is a natural rust remover. Skip the chlorine bleach commonly used to keep sinks and bathtubs
sparkling white. Instead, mix lemon juice, a little salt and baking soda into a thick paste. Spread the paste
on problem areas like rust stains and let it sit. Leave the paste on for at least an hour-or a whole day if
you're out of the house-then rinse it away.
To tackle black mildew found on the caulking in showers, mix a similar paste using baking soda and
lemon juice and follow the same procedure. Just spot treat the stains, let the paste sit, then rinse.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are an Earth-conscious alternative to artificial fragrances, which may contain toxins. To
eliminate the harmful respiratory irritants commonly found in scented aerosol sprays, skip the fancy air
fresheners and make your own.
Mix distilled water, 15 drops of essential oils and a dollop of shampoo to bind the oil and water. Spray it in
the bathroom, kid's room or kitchen to keep things fresh, or use it as a linen spray.
Mix essential oils from grapefruit and lemon for a fresh summer scent that's perfect in bathrooms and
kitchens. In the bedroom, use essential oil from lemongrass, which helps repel bedbugs and dust mites.
Relaxing French lavender and rose also work well for bed linens.
chemicals are being released in the environment, but only about 2 percent of those have been tested for
safety and health," said green activist Deirdre Imus, author of "Green This! Volume One: Greening Your
Cleaning," ($16, Simon & Schuster), the first in a five-volume series covering eco-friendly alternatives for all
aspects of everyday life. "We aren't any healthier than the planet is-and the planet is polluted."
According to Imus, many traditional cleaning products contain toxins and chemicals that have shown a
link to cancer, neurological problems, hormone disorders and respiratory ailments. "It's common sense. If
we can avoid these things, why wouldn't we?" Imus said.
In the book, Imus reveals the toxic ingredients commonly found in brand-name cleaning products and
offers safe alternatives to keep homes clean without sacrificing quality or investing extra time and money.
"This doesn't have to be a big project. There are practical and easy changes that everyone can do to
immediately eliminate their exposure to harmful toxins that they are breathing and absorbing through the
skin," Imus said.
Some of the safest and most effective cleansers can be made in your own kitchen using products you
probably already have on hand, things like baking soda, white distilled vinegar, lemon juice, table salt and
essential oils.
"There are so many ways to use these products. You end up saving a lot of money," Imus said. You'll
also be saving the environment.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is Mother Nature's odor-eater. Use it in the wash cycle to eliminate odors on clothing and
linens, or combine it with the scouring properties of baking soda to freshen up sinks and drains. Lemon
juice can also be used to clean glass and remove stains from clothing, porcelain and Formica.
DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and because it contains acetic acid, it's great at removing stains and
dissolving mineral buildups. It's an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial toilet
cleansers, which can be highly acidic and toxic. Each week, pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl, scrub
the inside of the toilet and let it sit 30 minutes before flushing.
For heavy stains, scrub with a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.
BAKING SODA
Baking soda is an eco-friendly deodorizer and a great alternative to expensive carpet fresheners, which
often contain toxic synthetic chemicals. Simply sprinkle baking soda on carpeting and area rugs once a
week, wait 15 minutes or so then vacuum it up.
You can also sprinkle baking soda in kitty's litter box to cut down on offensive smells.
TABLE SALT
Salt is a natural rust remover. Skip the chlorine bleach commonly used to keep sinks and bathtubs
sparkling white. Instead, mix lemon juice, a little salt and baking soda into a thick paste. Spread the paste
on problem areas like rust stains and let it sit. Leave the paste on for at least an hour-or a whole day if
you're out of the house-then rinse it away.
To tackle black mildew found on the caulking in showers, mix a similar paste using baking soda and
lemon juice and follow the same procedure. Just spot treat the stains, let the paste sit, then rinse.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are an Earth-conscious alternative to artificial fragrances, which may contain toxins. To
eliminate the harmful respiratory irritants commonly found in scented aerosol sprays, skip the fancy air
fresheners and make your own.
Mix distilled water, 15 drops of essential oils and a dollop of shampoo to bind the oil and water. Spray it in
the bathroom, kid's room or kitchen to keep things fresh, or use it as a linen spray.
Mix essential oils from grapefruit and lemon for a fresh summer scent that's perfect in bathrooms and
kitchens. In the bedroom, use essential oil from lemongrass, which helps repel bedbugs and dust mites.
Relaxing French lavender and rose also work well for bed linens.
| Written by Chandra Orr. All Rights Reserved. Published September 2007 by The Homesteader - York County & Lancaster County, South Carolina, Edition. |
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