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Cleaning the Green Way  Email Article To a Friend View Printable Version 

by Karen Bil Ratzlaff, Staff Writer

To achieve a spotless bathtub, sparkling mirrors and a clean oven, most of us expose ourselves to some seriously nasty chemicals from cleaning products that can cause everything from headaches, allergies, rashes and fatigue to liver damage and cancer!  Even if we don't come in direct contact with the products, many chemicals linger in the indoor air for hours. 

And it gets worse. "Ingredients from household cleaning products make their way into the environment through various routes: they are flushed down toilets, poured down sinks, sprayed into the air, thrown into the trash, and dumped onto the ground. In fact, many hazardous cleaning products are landfilled or incinerated, upon which they release their toxins into the environment and contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, pollute groundwater, contaminate the soil and harm plant and animal life."  (by Deborah Mitchell, "Switch to Natural Cleaning Products,")

In essence, most cleaning products on the market today are dangerous for us, our families, our pets and the environment.

More bad news

Photo by KOMUNews, flickr.com
Photo by KOMUNews, flickr.com
Even if we know what chemicals to avoid, label reading is not enough.  Dr. Mercola tells us why: "Many of the most dangerous chemicals will not even be on the label.  The manufacturers have conveniently lobbied the government to exempt them from this requirement and can omit any ingredient that is considered a secret formula from its label.  Many of these non-disclosed ingredients are actually toxic and carcinogenic."

Even so-called "green" products may not be that green. A surprising number contain glycol ethers, phosphates and phthalates.

Finally the good news...

There are basic products that have been around for decades that are safe and effective.  I'll bet our mothers and grandmothers would be comfortable with this list!

Simple ingredients like these will allow you to clean toilets, floors, drains, carpets, silver, etc.

For example use this all-purpose cleaner recipe from Earth Easy to clean windows, mirrors and shower stalls:

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. 

Are you ready to make the switch?  I am! 

Go to Earth Easy for a complete list of ingredients and "recipes" to make your own cleaning products. (And please remember to dispose of your hazardous cleaning products through your community's hazardous waste collection program.)

Do you have any green cleaning tips?

The Sisters of Notre Dame support the Earth Charter with a particular focus on water.



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