Cleaning: Without Poisoning Yourself and The Planet

Conventional cleaning products get the job done but many have unfortunate side-effects for our health and the environment. We spray and wipe these cleaners all over our homes.  We inhale airborne particles from sprays and absorb residues from the surfaces that we touch, through our skin. These over-the-counter products contain a plethora of toxins and,  when it comes to protecting your health and the environment,  it’s buyer beware.   In addition, health experts  – including the American Lung Association – decree that cleaning products are contributing to serious illnesses. It really isn’t rocket science that habitually exposing yourself to toxic cleaners is challenging to the immune system. As scary as this sounds, this is entirely preventable because there are safe and effective cleaning options available.

 It really isn’t rocket science that habitually exposing yourself to toxic cleaners is challenging to the immune system.

My number one source for healthier cleaning is the David Suzuki Foundation’s Queen of Green Blog.  The Queen of Green is a excellent source for green, healthy, home-made cleaning products, alternatives, and choices. She also has recipes for beauty products and other handy household ideas.

If you’re not the do-it-yourself (DIY) type, you can buy greener cleaners but they often cost more than DIY and conventional toxic cleaners but beware of green-washing (False or misleading claims of being environmentally friendly). Look for brands that have third party certification, from a reputable organization. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘Organic’ – anybody can use this word. If you buy cleaners, choose fragrance free.  Even companies claiming to be safe and environmentally friendly tend to add synthetic fragrances to their products.  Fragrance, unless specifically referred to as essential oil from a plant, is usually toxic. In Canada and the US, companies are not required to specify the ingredients in their fragrances, claiming that its ‘proprietary’ information.

As a new parent, I am more concerned than ever about safe cleaning. I am too busy for anything fancy and I like saving money. My standby cleaners are vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and soap. The first three are antimicrobial disinfectants and soap lifts grease and oils, which can contain microbes. I use an old spray bottle and fill it with vinegar and about 5-10 drops of essential oils, usually tea tree oil and lavender. Most essential oils are antimicrobial and they add a pleasant scent. The vinegar smells strong when being used but that smell quickly dissipates.  This spray can be used as an all-purpose cleaner, all over your house: counter-tops, mirrors, walls, doorknobs, and for dusting. Mirrors should be buffed with a dry clean cloth so that they are streak-free.

Baking soda is my savior. My grandmother brushed our teeth with it, and it tasted pretty nasty. However, it turns out that baking soda is a very versatile product.  It’s great for the dirtier jobs like, sinks, stoves, toilets, tubs, and showers because it cuts through grime and is abrasive.  It works best when the surface being cleaned is damp. It works even better when you spray vinegar on before-hand.  This technique works well on toilets.  Start with a vinegar spray-down and then sprinkle the bowl with baking soda and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Scrub the bowl and then wipe it all down. This technique is a dream on sinks too. For metal faucets and fixtures, be sure to rinse the baking soda off well and then buff with a dry clean cloth, to make it shiny.

Showers are my least favorite job. For showers, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best prevention is all about squeegeeing.  If you have the dedication to squeegee down the shower walls, after each shower, more power to you! I can’t seem to stick with it.  If you’re not into squeegeeing,  then I’d suggest regularly cleaning your shower and/or tub with baking soda. But as I recently learned from my mom, when her tenant moved out, baking soda can clean even the grimiest neglected showers.