Clean Naturally
Indoor air pollution is a serious and under-discussed issue. Household dust and mold can be a huge problem in terms of allergens and asthma. Getting rid of dust and mold is a significant step towards reducing indoor air pollution and improving the quality of your environment. However, when I researched the ingredients in most common household cleaners, I was shocked to see that the toxins contained in many of them are also quite harmful to our health (even the ones with pretty labels and words like "natural" or "green" in their name).
I find that what works for me best is a balance of non-toxic products that I buy and those that I make. I use the Ava Anderson Non-Toxic line which is fabulous! (check out these products at Wendy's Ava Anderson NonToxic site).
While there are strong opinions on the Internet (very strong) about precise recipes for the perfect cleaner, I find that exact proportions do not seem to matter. Here are some of the homemade cleaning items I use:
For hard surfaces
Scrub.
For mirrors and glass
There are those who use vinegar for everything!
Dish soap
Toilets
I pour about 1/2 a cup of Borax into the toilet, scrub, and then let it sit, ideally overnight. There is some disagreement about whether Borax is totally non-toxic. I feel like in the toilet it is a safer and better choice than items generally available on the market, but am researching other options.
Hardwood floors
Our floors are old and definitely need work. I know that, depending on the finish, you may need to be careful. So consider the kind of floors that you have first.
I use:
Indoor air pollution is a serious and under-discussed issue. Household dust and mold can be a huge problem in terms of allergens and asthma. Getting rid of dust and mold is a significant step towards reducing indoor air pollution and improving the quality of your environment. However, when I researched the ingredients in most common household cleaners, I was shocked to see that the toxins contained in many of them are also quite harmful to our health (even the ones with pretty labels and words like "natural" or "green" in their name).
I find that what works for me best is a balance of non-toxic products that I buy and those that I make. I use the Ava Anderson Non-Toxic line which is fabulous! (check out these products at Wendy's Ava Anderson NonToxic site).
While there are strong opinions on the Internet (very strong) about precise recipes for the perfect cleaner, I find that exact proportions do not seem to matter. Here are some of the homemade cleaning items I use:
For hard surfaces
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Vinegar
Scrub.
For mirrors and glass
- Vinegar
There are those who use vinegar for everything!
Dish soap
- Liquid castille soap
- A little bit of water
- Essential oils if you want.
Toilets
I pour about 1/2 a cup of Borax into the toilet, scrub, and then let it sit, ideally overnight. There is some disagreement about whether Borax is totally non-toxic. I feel like in the toilet it is a safer and better choice than items generally available on the market, but am researching other options.
Hardwood floors
Our floors are old and definitely need work. I know that, depending on the finish, you may need to be careful. So consider the kind of floors that you have first.
I use:
- Water
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice