But sometimes, I wonder if all the chemicals I'm using to clean are really that good for the environment or even myself. After all, I wouldn't touch them without wearing gloves. Just because the EPA says a chemical is ok to use, doesn't necessarily mean I want to be inhaling it.
Check out these facts on just how many chemicals, microbes, and pollutants humans are exposed to:
- 17,000: the number of petrochemicals available for home use, only 30 percent of which have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment.
- 63: the number of synthetic chemical products found in the average American home, translating to roughly 10 gallons of harmful chemicals.
- 100: the number of times higher that indoor air pollution levels can be above outdoor air pollution levels, according to US EPA estimates.
- 275: the number of active ingredients in antimicrobials that the EPA classifies as pesticides because they are designed to kill microbes.
- 5 billion: the number of pounds of chemicals that the institutional cleaning industry uses each year. --treehugger.com
1.What to Buy
Baking soda- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 13.5lbs $6.99.
2. Vinegar - 1 gallon of distilled vinegar $3.80
3. Lemons- 2 for $1.
Why it Works
Baking Soda, or sodium bicarbonate is an excellent buffer. It helps regulate pH by keeping a substance neither too acidic (sour tasting), nor too alkaline. It will absorb odors, regulate the pH in your laundry, and clean just about anything when made into a paste with some water. It is also used as an antacid, in toothpastes, and facial cleansers.
Vinegar is basically acetic acid, which come from fermentating grains, fruits, and vegetables. It's great as a disinfectant, killing 99% of surface bacteria, 80% of germs, and 82% of molds. It also breaks up water mineral deposits, like lime, that accumulates on showerhead. It also breaks up grease fast.
Lemons, and limes, have a high concentration of citric acid. The humble fruit also has antibacterial, antiseptic properties and can be used as a natural bleaching agent.
How to use them
In the Garbage Disposal: Put 1 part of baking soda down the disposal and follow with 1 part vinegar. Wait for the mixture to fizz for about 5 minutes, then follow it down with a good amount of boiling water. Send half a lemon or lime down the drain. Alternatively, you can use orange peels to freshen it up once a month.
In the Laundry: Add some baking soda to the laundry water to make your detergent work more efficiently and act as a natural fabric softener. Sprinkle baking soda onto half a lemon, or mix it with equal parts of vinegar and pre-treat yellow deodarant stains before washing.
In the Garbage Bin: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the can to absorb odors. Keep a bowl of baking soda in the fridge or freezer to do the same.
In the microwave: Dilute lemon juice or vinegar with water and microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl until the mixture comes to a roiling boil. The water will soften up hardened food particles, and will allow it to be scrubbed out easier.
In the kitchen sink: sprinkle baking soda on a lemon and scrub pots, pans, and dishes in lieu of dishwashing soap. Use vinegar-water soaked sponges/towels to clean the faucet.
In tub: Use vinegar to remove mineral deposits from showerheads, and the rest of the tub. Wet the tub, sprinkle baking soda, and scrub away.
In the Toilet: Use undiluted vinegar around the toilet rim to get rid of rings. You can add half a lemon to the toilet tank as a natural freshener every time you flush.
On wood furniture- Combine 1 part lemon juice with 1 part olive oil and polish all wood furniture and even floors.
-Cut vinegar with water, and add some lemon juice to make an all purpose cleaner for most countertops, car interiors, baby toys etc.
Do you know any more cleaning uses for these products? Please share them in the comments section.
[This blog post is supported by New Jersey Carpet Cleaning Company.]
This is an excellent blog..
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting
Jane from Lynnn , Ma