Eco-Friendly Products

Is a clean home an unsafe home?

Yes and no. A clean home that has been cleaned with chemical cleaners is an unsafe home. As a matter of fact, the germs and dirt that the cleaners took care of is probably less harmful than the actual cleaner.

We use chemical cleaners for nearly everything in our houses: laundry, dishes, floors, windows, ourselves, our pets etc. The cleaners contain loads of chemicals that are harmful to us, our pets and our environment. I thought these were some interesting facts.

"Over 150 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities." — Consumer Product Safety Commission

"Women who work at home have a 54% higher rate from cancer than women who work away from home." — Toronto Indoor Air Commission

"The average household in the USA using common household products is the #1 violator of chemical waste per capita." — EPA

We've started taking measures to improve our environment such as using reusable grocery bags, but we've only scratched the surface when it comes to ridding our lives and the environment of harmful chemicals.

It's a relatively easy fix, though. Many people don't realize that there are many natural products that are less expensive and just as effective in their cleaning power. White vinegar or lemon juice is fantastic for any sort of alkaline mess such as flour or grease in the kitchen. If you have granite, travertine or any natural stone surface that one shouldn't use acidic cleaners on, you can simply use hot water to wipe away the mess.

In the bathroom, you can use tea tree oil or lavender essential oil mixed with water as a natural germ killer. They both have anti-fungal properties as well so they can kill mold and mildew. You can use the spray for the kitchen, door knobs and any other surface that needs to be de-germed.

Olive oil mixed with vinegar or lemon juice makes a handy wood furniture polish. Mix 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar or 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice.

Baking soda and coarse salt make powerful scours for those sticky, stuck-on messes in the kitchen.

It takes a bit of effort and planning, but you, your family and the environment will have massive health benefits if you do!