Unfortunately, for many people their home isn't considered clean without that lingering (often overpowering) smell of disinfectant, bleach and pine trees in the air. But a truly clean home, one that's fresh and free from toxins, should not have any chemical or artificial smell to it. Not only are natural cleaning products healthier for cleaning, they also don't have any negative after-cleaning effects, or emit toxins.
What toxins are we talking about?
- Phenols: A disinfectant used in an array of household cleaning products. Long-term exposure has been linked to heart disease and damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs in animals.
- Naphthalene: Used in mothballs and toilet deodorant blocks, this chemical can destroy red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia, and is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," according to the Department of Health and Humans Services (DHHS).
- Benzene: A widely used chemical in some detergents, benzene can have a harmful effect on your red blood cells and bone marrow, and long-term exposures to high levels in the air can cause leukemia.
- Phthalates: Widely used as plastic softeners, phthalates are also added to household cleaners to help them retain fragrance. They’ve been linked to sperm damage in men and reproductive problems in newborn boys.
Look at the label of your cleaning product if it includes one (or more) of these substances. This is only a sampling as manufacturers are only required to list chemicals of "know concern" on their labels. Most of your cleaning products were (if only) tested on animals, not humans; no assurance of safety is provided. Do you want to take that risk? Besides, all those chemicals go down the drain and effect the environment negatively, too. So, it's not only yourself you are doing a favor by switching, but also the environment. Natural cleaning products require no warning or special labeling, and most certainly you have the ones listed below at home right now. Here are some of the best natural alternatives to try:
- Baking Soda: A natural deodorizer and cleanser, sprinkle it on drains, bathtubs and kitchen counters, or mix it with water to form a scrubbing paste. You can also sprinkle it on carpets and upholstery, wait 15 minutes or so, then vacuum it off for natural deodorizing. Baking soda even works as an oven cleaner (sprinkle the bottom of your oven with a little water, then generous amounts of baking soda, and let it sit overnight before wiping clean).
- Vinegars: Use white vinegar to clean windows, mirrors and counters, or mix it with castile soap and water as an excellent floor or bathroom cleaner. You can also mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda for a simple drain cleaner. Vinegar also cuts grease, and setting out a bowl of it in your kitchen will help absorb food odors.
- Lemon Juice: You can use this like you would vinegar, although lemon juice works especially well for removing hard water deposits and tarnish on silver.
- Course Salt: A great option when you need a cleaner with scrubbing power. Try mixing salt and vinegar for a simple and effective all-purpose surface cleaner.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Use it to disinfect cutting boards or toothbrushes, or to remove stubborn stains (works especially well for blood stains) and whiten laundry.
- Vodka: Vodka is a disinfectant that you can also use to freshen upholstery (spritz it lightly onto fabrics).
- Essential Oils: You can mix natural antiseptic cleaners using water and a few drops of essential oils, such as grapefruit seed extract, clove or tea tree. Tea tree oil is especially effective against mold and mildew. Filling a spray bottle with water and your favorite scented essential oil (peppermint, lavender, vanilla, etc.) is also a simple recipe for a fabric or air freshener.
- particular stain tips here
Cleaning is probably not everybody's favorite activity but what the heck, is has to be done, so you might as well enjoy it. Put on some lively music, throw open those windows to let some fresh air in, recruit some family members or friends and do it. Focus on the end result: a naturally clean, fresh-smelling home that feels like your sanctuary.
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For those of you who would also like to switch to healthier cosmetic products - start making your own products. I have been doing so for years. I provide my whole family with special homemade creams, shampoos, soaps etc. It's not hard to do, really! It's like mixing cocktails or baking. You buy the ingredients, follow the recipe and done. Your skin and hair really benefit from the natural substances, and you can customize the consistency and odor of each product. If somebody has acne, an allergy against a substance of cosmetics products, dry skin or hair, warts, or something else - this is the perfect natural solution. It's great as a gift as well! It's a lot of fun to do and it's all natural, made by yourself. Try it!*
For German speakers: kosmetikmacherei Wien
worldwide: makingcosmetics makeyourcosmetics
If you have questions or need advice, just leave a comment below.
Julia
* btw, I'm not getting paid for this ad ;)
Sources:
The Soap and Detergent Association March 17, 2010
California Air Resources Board, “Indoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone
and Toxic Air Contaminants"
UC Berkeley News May 22, 2006
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Phenol
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Naphthalene
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Benzene
The Los Angeles Times April 28, 2008
MSNBC.com Today October 2, 2008
http://www.growingupherbal.com/homemade-cleaner-recipe-roundup-42-diy-recipes-to-keep-your-home-naturally-clean/
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/Homemade-And-Natural-Cleaning-Products.htm
http://wellnessmama.com/6244/19-natural-cleaning-tips
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