Natural Planet A monthly compendium of tips, thoughts, and updates about our shared home.
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by Deb Percival Cheaper, Beter, Greener Cleaning
ost commercial cleaning products are made of toxic substances such as artificial colors and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia and
acids. Their ingredients can off-gas toxic fumes that irritate eyes and lungs (chil- dren and pets are most at risk), and be absorbed through your skin. Many clean- ers also contain antibacterial agents that can actually make bacteria stronger. Petrochemicals and other ingredients
used in some commercial detergents may cause itching, sneezing, and allergy prob- lems and can be absorbed into your skin from the residue that remains on sheets, towels, and clothing. Many toxic cleaners cannot be pro-
cessed by septic systems or sewage treat- ment and eventually pollute soil and water supplies. With a little up-front preparation (1/2
hour at the grocery store and 1/2 hour of mixing up your own cleaners), you can have a house that will make your mother- in-law proud; almost as importantly, be safe for you, your family and your pets; and save you enough money to take your wife to lunch every month.
Ingredients for Green Cleaning • White vinegar • Castile soap • Washing soda
• Lemon juice • Tea tree oil
• Baking soda • Olive oil
• Reusable dusting cloths
• Empty plastic spray bottles and jars with tops • Plastic bristle scrub brush and/or dobie-type of sponge • Permanent marker to label each container • Hot water. Hot water with a few drops of castile soap can take care of a lot. Perfect for wiping down cabinets and floors, and a cup of water placed in a microwave and cooked for 2 minutes will steam the microwave, making it much easier to wipe off the spaghetti sauce…
My Cleaning Kit: I keep these cleaners in a bucket that I carry
from room to room. Bottle of Castile Soap, shaker of Baking Soda, spray bottle of 5% white distilled vinegar, window/mirror clean- er spray bottle (recipe follows), all purpose spray bottle (recipe follows), furniture polish (recipe follows), Dobie sponge, plastic bristle scrub brush (which I hardly ever need), reusable cloths. Vinegar (spray bottle): Straight 5 percent white vinegar. Keep
one spray bottle in your kitchen - spray your cutting board after dinner and rinse it in the morning. Keep a second bottle in your cleaning kit. Straight vinegar deodorizes; kills most molds, bacte- ria and germs; and is great for cleaning the toilet and the shower curtain. Just spray it on and wipe or rinse it off.
54 September 2010
Dish Soap: 1 cup castile soap, ¼ cup water. 1 drop bergamot essential oil (from a health food store) Toilet Bowl: Spray vinegar around the bowl, sprinkle your toilet brush with baking soda, and scrub. Windows & Mirrors (spray bottle): 1/4-
1/2 teaspoon castile soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups water. For stubborn finger- prints, use a dab of rubbing alcohol and a dry cloth.
All-Purpose Spray Cleaner (spray bottle):
A few drops of castile soap, 2 cups water. Optional: add a 1/2 teaspoon washing soda* use hot water, and shake to mix if you need a stronger cleaner. Furniture Polish (container with lid): The
petroleum distillates and solvents in most commercial furniture polishes are reported to be highly neurotoxic. 1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive, or better yet, jojoba, a liquid wax that doesn’t go rancid (either of these ingredients will condition the wood so it doesn’t dry out). 1/4 cup white distilled vin- egar or fresh lemon juice (pulls the dirt out of the wood). Lemon Oil Duster (container with lid): Commercial lemon oil may contain petro-
leum distillates. Contact herbalists for pure sources of lemon oil. Traditionally, lemon oil has been used for furniture because it is so lubricating and antiseptic. 10 drops lemon oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, a few drops olive oil or jojoba. Sinks, Tubs, Tile, and Pots & Pans (mix on the spot): Mix 1/2
cup of baking soda and a little castile soap. Scoop onto a sponge or mesh cleaning pad (like a Dobie or a plastic mesh onion bag tied in a knot) and scrub. It’s nonabrasive, rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit. It works almost as well without the castile soap. I keep a shaker bottle of baking soda at the kitchen sink and one in my cleaning kit, and I buy the huge box of baking soda to refill the shaker.
Carpet Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda around the room.
If you like, add a little dried crushed lavender. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes, and then vacuum. For a full list of recipes, including oven cleaner, dish soap,
dishwasher detergent, stain removers, solutions for mold and clogged drains, etc., or if you have “green cleaning” recipes to share, I’d love to see them! write to
deb@naturalnutmeg.com! Back To School Eco Tips: Don’t forget to go to
www.natural-
nutmeg.com to see our e-zine, including my Eco Tips column. This month’s Eco Tips e-zine column features WAY cool reusable lunch boxes and insulated lunch totes for kids and working stiffs! Find Eco Tips in Dr. Diane’s Corner, at the top of the page!
Author Deb Percival is a freelance writer in Connecticut. E-mail dper-
cival@comcast.net.
www.naturalnutmeg.com
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