Non-Toxic Cleaning in the Home
As with other Air Pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect from household cleaners will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Many household cleaners contain an astonishing array of organic compounds, solvents, and toxic chemicals that pollute indoor air.
Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from organics usually found in the home.
You can minimize your exposure by using NON-TOXIC or LOW-TOXIC cleaning methods.
Besides being a safer way to clean they are also an economical way of cleaning. Ask your Granny about them and she probably will say: "That is'nt anything new, thats what we use to use in the old days!"
Here are 15 of the compounds you can make and try for yourself:
DISINFECTANT
Mix a half-cup of borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Store in a recycled plastic spray bottle.
OVEN CLEANER
Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. Sponge onto stains and wipe clean.
DRAIN OPENER
Dissolve a half-cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar in boiling water. Pour solution down drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL FRESHENER
Grind ice and used lemon or orange in the disposal. Besides freshening, the ice will clean and sharpen the blades.
TOILET BOWL CLEANER
Sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl. Drizzle with vinegar; scour with a toilet brush. This not only cleans, it deodorizes, as well.
MILDEW REMOVER
Dissolve half-cup vinegar with half-cup borax in warm water. Mix them fresh for each use.
BASIN, TUB, AND TILE CLEANER
Rub the area to be cleaned with half a lemon dipped in borax. Rinse, and dry with soft cloth.
CERAMIC TILE CLEANER
Mix a quarter-cup of vinegar in a gallon of water. This removes most dirt without scrubbing and does'nt leave a film.
LEATHER SHOE POLISH
Add a shine by polishing it with the inside of a banana peel; then buff.
FURNITURE POLISH - 3 ways!
A) Use a soft cloth and wipe with a bit of mayonnaise.
B) Rub furniture with a cloth dipped in cool tea.
C) Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply mixture to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.
SILVER POLISH
Clean silver with white toothpaste and warm water using an old soft bristled toothbrush.
To magnetize tarnish away, soak silver in salted water in an aluminum container; then wipe it clean.
WOOD FURNITURE CLEANER
To remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth.
WINDOW CLEANERS - 2 ways!
A) Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 quart warm water. Use a natural linen towel or other soft cloth to clean.
B) Mix half-cup cornstarch with 2 quarts warm water. Apply with sponge then wipe with absorbent cloth or towel. Good for car windows and bathroom mirrors. Do not do windows or glass when sun is on them or if they are warm. This causes the solution to dry to quickly creating unwanted streaks.
COPPER-PAN CLEANER
Sprinkle surface of pans with coarse salt. Rub salt into stains with the cut half of a fresh lemon.
FLOOR CLEANER
Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water. For greasy floors, add one-forth cup washing soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil-based soap to the mixture.
Reducing the amount of chemicals used in the home is only one step towards a healthier indoor living environment. Keep in mind that these methods and mixtures are not new. They have been around for a long time, before the age of chemicals. Ask your grandmother about them and you may be surprised by her answer!
Continue reading here: What is Light Therapy?
Was this article helpful?