Spring into Toxin-Free Cleaning

The Environmental Working Group conducted a study on hundreds of volunteers to see what types of toxins people are being exposed to. They found per person, on average, 91 industrial compounds, pollutants and chemicals. According to their research, 76 of these cause cancer in humans or animals, 94 are toxic to the brain or nervous system, and 79 cause birth defects or abnormal development. Toxins also contribute to excess weight. When you are constantly exposed to chemicals used in plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, household cleaning products, pesticides and foods they get stored in fat. Your liver simply is unable to keep up and efficiently detox your body. Toxins affect hormones, which directly affect metabolism, body weight, insulin resistance, and eventually contribute to illness and disease.
                 
Some of the most toxic products in your home are in your cleaning products, which contain on average 62 noxious chemicals.  Chlorine bleach, when mixed with ammonia, vinegar or any other acid based cleanser, will release dangerous chloramine gas.  This contributes to asthma and respiratory disease.  Petroleum distillates are found in metal polishes and long-term exposure damages the nervous system, kidneys, eyes and skin. Phenol and cresol are found in disinfectants and when inhaled or digested cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage. Nitrobenze is found abundantly in furniture and floor polishes and when inhaled it makes breathing shallow and labored.  Ingested, it is very poisonous and can result in death.  Nitrobenzene has also been directly linked to cancer and birth defects. Formaldehyde is a preservative that is a suspected human carcinogen that is also irritating to the eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Hydrochloric acid (sodium acid sulfate) is found in toilet bowl cleaners and can burn the skin and cause blindness if splashed into the eyes.  It will also burn the stomach if ingested. Phthalates are the fragrances found in nearly every household product, even toilet paper! The law does not require companies to disclose their scents and so they are masked under the word “fragrance”.  They are known endocrine disruptors and reduce sperm count in men. Perchloroethylene (PERC) is used in dry cleaning solutions, spot removers and carpet or upholstery cleaners.  PERC is a neurotoxin and a possible carcinogen.  Triclosan is in most liquid dishwashing detergents and hand soaps that are labeled “antibacterial”.  This aggressive antibacterial agent actually promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. There are harmful levels of triclosan building up in rivers and streams and it is extremely toxic to algae.  It is a suspected endocrine disruptor and carcinogen.  Quarternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS) are used in fabric softener liquids and sheets and most “antibacterial” household cleaners.  QUATS help propagate anti-biotic resistant bacteria, are a known skin irritant, and contribute to asthma and other respiratory disorders. Ammonia is a polisher for fixtures, sinks, and jewelry and is also found in glass cleaners.  It is a powerful and immediate irritant.  It is especially harmful to those with asthma or elderly people with respiratory disorders. People who are constantly exposed to ammonia, like housekeepers, develop chronic bronchitis and severe asthma.  Sodium Hydroxide (lye) is extremely corrosive and thus used in oven cleaners and drain openers.  It can burn the skin and the esophagus. Coal Tar Dyes are in the majority of cleaning products.  They are derived from petrochemicals and are contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead.  Heavy metals harm the nervous system and synthetic dyes are known carcinogens. They are easily absorbed through the skin, causing immediate adverse health effects and are completely unnecessary, as they do not contribute to the cleaning properties of any product. MEA (monoethanalomine), DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) are found in detergents, all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, car wash products, and all other types of household cleaners.  They react with other chemicals to become known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
 
Making your own cleaning products at home is easy, healthy, and will save you money.  From kitchen and bathroom cleaners, to your own laundry detergent, the ingredients you need to get started will delightfully surprise you.

• White Vinegar: A natural deodorizer (absorbs odors, doesn’t cover them up), it dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits.  White vinegar will kill mold, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Undiluted white vinegar is great for your toughest cleaning problems.  Being only mildly acidic, white vinegar is safe to use on hardwood floors.  It won’t stain grout on tiled surfaces.  Don’t let the aroma of vinegar turn you off, as it dries the aroma will not linger. You can add it during the rinse cycle of your washing machine for a great fabric softener substitute. Use it to clean mineral deposits in your showerhead and hard water rings in your toilet bowl.  Soak your showerhead over night in undiluted white vinegar and simply rinse off!
• Baking Soda: A natural deodorizer with mild abrasive actions makes it a perfect substitute for harsh scouring powders.  It cuts grease and can be used as a whitener and a disinfectant.  Baking soda on a damp sponge is great for cleaning your shower, bath, and sinks.  For tougher jobs make a thick paste using baking soda and water, apply to the surface you are cleaning and scrub off 10-20 minutes later. 
• Hydrogen Peroxide: One of the most common household disinfectants, it is a great base ingredient for all your homemade cleaning products.  Hydrogen peroxide effectively cleans tile surfaces, rugs and carpets, whitens grout, cleans toilet bowls, removes tub scum, stops the spread of mold and mildew and removes discoloration, cleans glass surfaces, disinfects countertop, dishrags and sponges, disinfects cutting boards, washes fruits and vegetables to remove wax and other contaminants, and helps clean the refrigerator.  It can also be used to whiten laundry, and remove stains and musty odors from fabrics.   
• Kosher Salt: Use coarse kosher salt as a tough abrasive.
• Borax (sodium borate): Often referred to as the miracle mineral, it is a naturally occurring compound that can be used for disinfectant cleaning and pest control.  Always handle Borax carefully, because undiluted Borax can be an irritant.  It is safe in diluted solutions.  It is also a natural deodorizer and a mild abrasive.  It can be used to boost your laundry detergents power to remove stains, and is effective on clogged drains.  Borax is great for rust stains and cleaning your outdoor furniture. You must use Borax that is sodium borate.
• Washing Soda: This is a must if you are making your own laundry detergent.  Also known as sodium carbonate, you can make your own washing soda at home.  Fill a wide baking dish with baking soda and heat in the oven at 400 degrees, occasionally mixing to help speed up the process. You will be able to tell from the look and feel of the baking soda when it has become washing soda as it becomes grainy, dull & opaque.  Washing soda also cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, and cleans walls, tiles, sinks, and tubs. Do not use on aluminum.
• Lemon Juice: With antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, lemon juice should be added to all your cleaning products.  Lemon juice can be used in place of bleach to help whiten clothes.  It works hard on grease and is a fabulous deodorizer. It makes working and cleaning with vinegar tolerable.  Lemon juice will remove the most frustrating and stubborn stains on countertops.  It is excellent in glass cleaners.
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap:  This biodegradable soap is made from vegetable and hemp oils, contains no animal fats and is organic.  It is highly concentrated and will go far in its many uses. 
• Vodka: Provides a reflective shine on any metal or mirrored surface. (toothpaste is also excellent for polishing silver)
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): Immensely powerful antiviral and antibacterial components. A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that GSE was effective at killing over 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.  It is believed there is no other naturally occurring anti-microbial that compares. Research microbiologists from the University of Georgia found GSE was vastly effective as a non-toxic disinfectant and potent enough to use as pre-surgical soap. 

 
Essential Oils:
In addition to providing wonderful cleaning benefits, essential oils fill your home with wonderful scents. Essential oils provide antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic benefits when used in house cleaning.

• Tea Tree: Potent anti-bacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties. Studies have shown tea tree to kill numerous strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi. You can diffuse tea tree oil to kill mold in your home. 
• Lavender: Amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is strong enough to fight off the Streptococcus species of bacteria. The word lavender itself comes from lavare meaning “to wash”.
• Lemon Eucalyptus: Powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is considered a natural cleaning solvent.
• Grapefruit: Fights strong bacterial strains such as E. Coli and salmonella. It has strong antifungal properties that fight the growth of mold.
• Orange: Contains approximately 90% d-limonene-one of the most common terpenes found in nature that provides citrus fruits with their aroma. D-limonene is an effective solvent for grease and oil and is strong enough to remove graffiti, tar, and asbestos. It contains powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.
• Lemon: Strong antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties and contains 70% d-limonene. According to a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology lemon oil may actually be the most powerful antimicrobial agent of all the essential oils.
• Pine oil: A strong disinfectant that is effective against yeast spores, E.Coli, and mildew.
• Ravensara: Antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties make for a powerful disinfectant. This oil inhibits the growth of dangerous germs, microorganisms and protozoa.
• Niaouli: Belonging to the same species as Tea Tree, it has wonderful antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Niaouli essential oil was found to be the most effective essential oil in reducing bacterial colony counts.
• Frankincense: Powerful antiseptic and disinfectant. It has the ability to eliminate cold and flu germs from the home.

All Purpose Cleaner:
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp Castile soap
1 tbsp Borax
Combine all ingredients and add to a spray bottle.
—Disinfectant cleaner add 20-30 drops of tea tree oil

Kitchen & Bath Scrub:
1 cup baking soda or washing soda
¼ cup kosher salt
10 drops citrus essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight tub

Oven Cleaner:
1 small box baking soda or washing soda
1 cup liquid Castile Soap
Combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Apply to a cloth and wipe onto oven surfaces.  It may help to let sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing off.
For tougher jobs:
½ cup salt
½ cup baking powder
½ cup hot water
½ cup vinegar
Combine ingredients to make a thick paste.  Apply to oven wall and leave overnight.  Combine ¼ cup water and ¼ cup vinegar in a spray bottle.  Spray and wipe off the paste.

Dishwasher Detergent:
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup kosher salt
5 drops of essential oil
White vinegar
Mix the first five ingredients together.  Put one rounded tablespoon in the soap compartment for each load.  Fill the rinse agent with white vinegar.
 
Degreaser:
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup baking soda or washing soda
5 to 10 drops essential oils
Combine to make a paste and use a wet cloth to wipe off.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
2 tbsp baking soda or washing soda
1 tbsp olive oil
3-4 drops of essential oil
Mix & pour into your toilet bowl & scrub with toilet brush.

Drain Cleaner:
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in the drain. Pour 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 cup vinegar into the drain.  Dribble boiling water down the drain and let stand for at least 2 hours and then rinse through with hot water.

Furniture Polish:
1 cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
Mix in sprayer bottle, shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag.  Spread evenly over furniture surface.  Finish with a dry cloth for top shine.

Room Deodorizer:
4 cups hot water
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup lemon juice
5-10 drops of essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle and use it to freshen up any room in the house. 

Glass Cleaner:
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
3-6 drops essential oils
Mix in a sprayer bottle.  For a stronger glass cleaner add 1-tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia.

Laundry Soap:
1 bar of Castile soap grated
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax
1 cup baking soda
20-30 drops essential oil
Combine grated soap and essential oils.  And the rest of the ingredients and store in a covered jar.

Dish Soap:
2 cups liquid Castile soap
½ cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
5 drops of essential oil
½ cup white vinegar
Stir all ingredients together until blended.  Store in a squirt top bottle.

Hand Sanitizer:
1 cup pure aloe vera gel
1-2 tsp witch hazel
8 drops of essential oils-tea tree, niaouli, ravensara, citrus scents
Combine all ingredients until you have your desired consistency.

Bathroom Mildew Remover:
1 cup water
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
¼ tsp lavender essential oil
¼ tsp tea tree essential oil
Mix in a spray bottle and spray on trouble spots.  Oils break down the mildew.