The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers. This week’s tip was written by Sheda Morshed and Ryan Craig.
Thank you to the Post reader who requested a Green Tip on the topic of environmentally friendly home cleaning products in a 2 Cents submission. We always get excited when we hear from our community!
Did you know, according to the EPA, that your home’s indoor air quality is often two to five times worse than outdoor air? One reason is harmful compounds in commonly used everyday household cleaning products. These seemingly innocuous chemicals weaken our immune system, irritate our eyes and nose, induce headaches, and increase risks of respiratory disease and cancer. And, the EPA reported, that’s both for human family members and pets.
Don’t be fooled by fancy product labels or advertising claims. Always read the ingredients list. At a minimum, avoid aerosol sprays, ammonia, bleach, sodium hydroxide and all synthetic fragrances.
Replace toxic cleaning products with safe yet powerful alternatives, like tried and tested Bon Ami and Begley’s Best (both available at Gelson’s), or any brand with ingredients taken straight from the earth. And don’t stop there—tackle your personal care products, too.
Alternatively, DIY your cleaning supplies with simple ingredients and empty spray bottles. Here are a few to get you started. (Always refer to your product warning labels, as you would with any cleaner.)
Bon Ami: This inexpensive yet powerful nonabrasive cleaner can replace Ajax, Comet and even fancy, earth-friendly surface cleaners.
Sprinkle on nonstick pots and pans, casserole dishes, or any other food-caked surface, soak in any temperature water, return about two hours later and scrub clean. (Extra tip: Grab a $3 wooden “pan scraper” from Anawalt—an essential for all scrubbing purposes.)
For heavily caked pots and pans, the stovetop, and oven: Skip the water and squeeze lemons or spray white vinegar instead.
Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and white vinegar: Buy these three cleaning soldiers in bulk because you’ll use them all around your home. For ease of use, transfer hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar to (separate) spray bottles, and safely store under your sinks, in the laundry room and in your cleaning cabinet:
Hydrogen peroxide: Replace bleach and its harmful volatile organic compounds. Google for recipes (e.g., “DIY peroxide armpit stain remover”).
Got mold? Sprinkle baking soda (or Bon Ami), then squeeze a lemon or spray with hydrogen peroxide. Return a few hours later (or leave overnight) and scrub away.
Stainless steel cleaner: Sprinkle some baking soda on half a lime and rub away (creativeexplained.com).
Hardwood floor cleaner: Most, or all, conventional store-bought hardwood floor cleaners contain carcinogens that are harming our families, including our pets. Again, read the ingredients not the product label. Instead, fill a spray bottle or mop dispenser with one-third parts each of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar and plain water (gatheredinthekitchen.com).
Natural deodorizers: Place nontoxic, essential oil-scented soaps or candles in your linen and clothes closets, dresser drawers, etc. Unless they’re heavily wrapped, leave soaps unopened. For a full load of laundry, add three to four drops of your favorite essential oil in the fabric softener compartment. Or, add directly to your laundry powder.
You don’t have to sacrifice cleanliness to remove harmful chemicals from your home. Start the conversation with your friends and family. And if you have a favorite nontoxic cleaning tip, share your 2 Cents with the Post by emailing 2cents@palipost.com.
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