Greener Cleaners- detox your home!

Sorry for the wait, readers. Blogger.com was down for a while. I intended this post to have tutorials but I am having some webcam issues. Perhaps in the future :/

Check the new logo, courtesy of my best friend, Brian Webb! What do you think?

And here it is, the long-awaited greener cleaner post:

In my opinion, overhauling your cleaning products is one of the biggest and most important steps to take in a green conversion. Most people don't know that scientists and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have determined that the air in your home is 2-5 times more toxic than the fresh air outside. No wonder we all feel so crappy!

Why is it so? Cleaning products and household chemicals. Laundry detergents, glass cleaner, furniture polishes, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, air fresheners, bathroom and all-purpose cleaners. When used, they release small particles into the air. These particles then remain floating around the home for hours and sometimes days, leaving countless toxic chemicals to be inhaled by you and your family. Some chemicals leave residue on surfaces and are able to be absorbed through the skin with contact.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to detox your home. The first step is giving away or trashing all your cleaning products with toxic chemicals in them (which is most of them, ha ha.) Just be sure to dispose of them in a way that is not harmful to the environment (keep reacting chemicals separate, do not pour them down the drain, seal tightly and dispose of with the rest of your garbage, etc)  I'd list all the chemicals to look out for, but there's wayyyy too many. So to name a few:

*Ammonia- can cause chemical burns, cataracts, and damage to your corneas.

*Benzene- look for it in oven cleaners and furniture polishes- it is classified as a carcinogen and a hazardous air pollutant!

*Chlorine (yep. chlorine!)- found in bleach, dishwasher detergents, and tub/tile cleaners- Not only is chlorine highly reactive with other compounds (causing more unwanted effects), but it was used as a poison in World War I! What the HECK is it doing in our homes?! It can cause immune and reproductive system disorders as well. Chlorine is one of the most important pollutants to rid your home of!

*Crystalline Silica- found in all-purpose cleaners- It irritates the eyes, skin and lungs. And, oh, what a surprise. CARCINOGEN.

*Ethyl Cellosolve- hiding out in window cleaners- This nasty chemical is a neurotoxin, meaning it damages nerve tissue in the brain. Um, call me crazy, but I think our brain is pretty darn important!

*Butyl cellosolve- an ingredient in all-purpose cleaners- is known to damage bone marrow as well as cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

The scary thing here is that some chemicals used day to day in households throughout the nation are chemicals that are on lists involving toxic waste sites! These are materials you should keep far away from your home!

Next step on the list to home detoxification is....

OPEN THE WINDOWS! Fresh air never hurt anyone and it will help to flush out any toxic particles and leftovers floating around in the air of your home.

The last step is finding alternatives to cleaners. Luckily, this is easy and inexpensive! I went and looked up some recipes for DIY cleaners. Most of the recipes had a few main ingredients: water, baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and borax, all of which are wicked cheap! Borax, in case you don't know, is a white mineral used in making ceramics. As a perk, it serves as an antiseptic! As an even bigger perk, you can buy a big ol' box of it for just $2.99 at Target!

Here are the recipes I made and used!

All-Purpose Household Cleaner:

¼ c. baking soda
½ c. borax
½ c. vinegar
1 gal. water.

(if the smell of vinegar bothers you, you can swap it for lemon juice!)

Window Cleaner

2 tsp. vinegar
1 qt. warm water

(I found that the vinegar worked best in this case, so I do not recommend swapping for lemon juice in this recipe!)

Oven Cleaner

¼ c. baking soda
2 tbsp. salt
Hot water, as needed to make a thick paste. (for a better scrub!)
Let paste sit for 5 minutes, just be sure to keep mixture away from any hot spots!

(Get an extra scrubbing boost by using a green scrub pad!)

And as an easy disinfectant, just mix ¼ cup borax with ½ gallon hot water!

Lastly, many people don't understand how toxic air fresheners are. An easy alternative for this is to simmer cloves, orange peel or cinnamon sticks in water! You can also absorb odors by placing small bowls of 2-4 tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda around your home!

So you see? As easy as that! You are but 3 easy steps away from a healthier home environment for you and your family!

Breathe easy, folks!