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Green cleaning means using
products that do not pollute our indoor air with toxic chemicals, release irritating
fumes which affect our health. Green cleaning means keeping toxic chemicals out
of our streams and groundwater. Green cleaning products should come in recyclable
packaging, or be made with recycled materials. For example: Dr. Bronner's Castile
Soaps use only certified organic plant oils and the refillable bottles are made
of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Seventh Generation and Shacklee companies
provide complete ingredient lists on their products. When
you are shopping for cleaning products, look out for the general term "fragrance,"
a catch word for synthetic perfumes that use toxic asthma-provoking phthalates
as a dispersing agent. Tests by the Center for Disease Control have shown that
phthalates collect in the body causing common allergies. Check that labels specify
plant essential oils rather than fragrance. Some
Non-toxic Cleaning Recipes Clean
your sink with baking soda. Salt mixed with flour is a good scrubber for pots
and pans. To clean your oven or roasting pans, mix one part baking soda and one
part borax with water. To make a thick paste add a little vinegar, coat the surface
and let stand overnight, then rinse. White vinegar, full strength, cleans mold,
bathroom tiles, grout stains, glass and mirrors. Diluted it is a good wood floor
cleaner. Explaining Green
Claims on Product Labels Biodegradable
This
unregulated term is meaningful only if it specifies the amount of time it takes
for the product to decompose, as most substances will eventually biodegrade over
time given the right condition, such as sunlight. Nontoxic
There
is no official definition or third-party verification for this claim. Organic
Household
cleaning products are not regulated by the Organic Foods Production Act, but some
ingredients, such as plant oils, can be labeled certified organic. Cleaning
Product Ingredients to Avoid Ammonia
Extremely
irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled; can harm skin on contact. Chlorine
Bleach
An all-purpose whitening agent; can irritate the lungs and eyes and
in waterways can become toxic organochlorines. Phosphates
Soften
water for detergents, but contribute to algae blooms in our waterways which can
kill off fish populations. Sodium
Hydroxide
Found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, it is extremely irritating
to eyes, nose and throat, and can burn those tissues on contact. Sodium
Laurel Sulfate
A common sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin and cause contact
dermatitis. Antibacterial
Cleansers
Containing triclosan, may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant
germs.
Your home is
part of the environment. Keep it pollution free. Cleaning products are a personal
choice, but for our health, the health of our Earth, let our choice be truly green
cleaning.
For environmentally
friendly information from Ingrid, call (732) 922-2935.
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