Cleaning in the New Year?

We tend to be concerned with what products and foods we put in our bodies but what about the products we surround ourselves by in our homes?  On a typical cleaning day in a typical Canadian home, levels of chemicals in the indoor air can be hundreds, even thousands of times higher than the outdoor air in the most polluted of cities.  Our families are breathing in dozens of chemicals mixed together that have negative effects on our bodies, especially when you think of little ones with allergies and asthma! 

Here are a few examples of what is found in chemical solutions;

Acetone - A neurotoxin, acetone may cause liver and kidney damage, and damage a developing fetus.  It is a skin and eye irritant.  Found in spot treatment cleaners and mark and scuff removers.

Aerosol products- Aerosol propellants  contain propane, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, neurotoxin and central nervous system depressant, methylene chloride, a carcinogen,  neurotoxin and reproductive toxin, and nitrous oxide . Products applied with aeresol sprays are broken into minute particles, which can be more deeply inhaled than larger particles, which may increase their toxic effect.

Parabens - Parabens are hormone disruptors. Used in cleaning products as preservatives, paraben is usually preceded by the prefixes methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl. 

Bleach- The main ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite (chlorine added to lye). Chlorine is toxis as a skin irritant, and by inhalation.  Workplace safety sheets warm that sodium hypochlorite may be a neurotoxin and cause liver damage.

Alternatives!!  There are several natural options out there.  The first would be making your own solutions with common household products like vinegar, lemon and baking soda (some recipes below).  There are also plenty of “greener” alternatives now widely available from manufacturers like Citra-Solv (my fav!), Ecover, Mrs. Meyers, and Seventh Generation, among many others.  They work well, leave your home smelling fresh, are environmentally friendly and do not emit toxic particles into our air.

Home Solutions: 
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.
Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse.