to prevent bacteria growth on sponges and cloths are microwaving sponges for one minute and regularly laundering washcloths.
Make nontoxic cleaning products. Simple and inexpensive ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and borax can be used in many different ways for effective cleaning. Adding essential oils such as lavender or rosemary infuses a fresh scent and boosts antibacterial properties. Have fun learning to make natural cleaning products by buying ingredients in bulk and throwing a green cleaning party with friends (free Green Cleaning Party Kit at Women
AndEnvironment.org). Finally, WVE suggests we buy products from manufacturers that disclose ingredients on the label. If the ingredients aren’t listed, call the product’s customer service number and ask the company to disclose them. It’s a good way to ensure that our homes stay clean—and healthy.
Download a free Safer Cleaning Prod- ucts fact sheet at
WAToxics.org/files/ cleaningproducts.pdf.
Erin Switalski is the executive director of Women’s Voices for the Earth (
WomenAndEnvironment.org). WVE’s Safe Cleaning Products Initiative is a national effort intended to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in cleaning products. Sign the petition at http://
tinyurl.com/yln44bt. For more informa- tion on chemical policy reform, visit
SaferChemicals.org.
Use the Right Tools for GREEN CLEANING
by Deb Goldberg
hether you’re using the simple recipes listed in this article or commer- cially produced, eco-friendly cleaning products, it’s important to adjust your cleaning technique so that you can clean efficiently and effectively. Since you won’t be using chemical solvents that dissolve grease and grime, you risk becoming frustrated or fatigued unless you use the right tools to remove dirt the natural way.
W Here are some tips to help you “green clean” like a pro:
• Use a flat metal or plastic spatula to manually remove hardened debris from your kitchen floor and appliances before scrubbing.
• Throw away your sponge-mop in favor of a flat, hard-bristle broom (such as the Quickie brand Deck Scrub). Wrap a damp cotton rag or microfiber towel around the base, using a 10-percent vinegar solution for wood floors or diluted detergent solution for other floors. To use your improvised mop, apply pressure as needed. Let those bristles do the hard scrubbing work while the towel protects your surfaces. Rinse and rewrap the towel as it becomes dirty, then toss in the laundry for reuse. This improvised mop also can be used on dirty bathtubs and greasy ceilings.
• Remember that detergents work on a molecular level and are sold in con- centrated form. Keep a dilution of 8-drops-to-16-ounces of water in a spray bottle for everyday cleaning tasks. Stronger dilutions will only require you to spend more time removing residue.
• A good HEPA-filter vacuum will remove allergens and toxins tracked in from outside your home.
Deb Goldberg is general manager of the East Bay’s Natural Home Clean- ing, the award-winning, eco-friendly housecleaning cooperative she helped launch in 2003 as a staff member of the nonprofit WAGES, to create healthy, sustainable jobs while promoting green practices in the housecleaning industry (visit
WagesCooperatives.org for information). She holds a master of science degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, tips and videos on eco-friendly house cleaning, visit
NaturalHomeCleaning.com. See ad on this page.
natural awakenings
March 2011
25
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