Making The Decision To Put Down The Bleach Spray
If saving the planet isn’t enough to convince you to put down that bleach bottle or abrasive bathroom cleaner, consider this not so fun fact: household cleaning products rank #2 on the list of most common poison exposures according to the National Poison Control Center’s 2017 annual report.
Incidentally, the ASPCA reports that household items, to include cleaning products, also rank in the top ten toxins that are harmful for pets. That being said, those of us who are parents of small children and fur babies alike, might want to reconsider which products to pick come cleaning day.
Hazardous chemicals found in many conventional products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, when inhaled or touched, can harm you and your family. Switching to green cleaning products is a simple and effective way to minimize the risk of accidental poisoning or unintended long-term health consequences.
There are many, many options on the green cleaning market these days but ideally you would look for a product made using sustainable manufacturing practices, that is naturally derived, safe, non-toxic, and uses biodegradable ingredients that don’t negatively impact the environment. With the green movement increasingly taking hold, inevitably the market has followed suit with an abundance choices for consumers.
We know this can be overwhelming so here’s a short list with web links to several companies that specialize in earth, and earthling-friendly cleaning supplies.
Green Product Go-Tos:
Seventh Generation
Greener Choice OxiBrite
Ecover
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
J. R. Watkins
Nature Clean
Method
Simple Green Naturals
Shaklee
ECOS – Earth Friendly Products
Other Ideas To Keep Your Home Green And Clean
- Leave toxins at the door by adopting a shoe-free policy. Think about all the places your shoes take you from public restrooms to the car garage for your tune up. You can limit the grime, germs and chemicals like oil, antifreeze and other toxic substances by creating a doorway drop zone for your family and guests to drop their shoes.
- Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally: Try baking soda to remove household odors instead of harsh aerosol sprays. House plants also provide free air filtering and add a green touch to your home.
- DIY Natural Cleaners: Vinegar and water or vinegar and baking soda or lemon juice are earth friendly, affordable and have just as much cleaning power as harsh traditional cleaners. With vinegar ringing up at well under a dollar per cup, you couldn’t get a cheaper green cleaning product. And because vinegar is edible and all natural it is easily biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- Part With The Paper Towels: Switch to washable, reusable microfiber cloths instead of paper towels and spray the cleaning cloth, not the surface to use less product.
- Cold Wash Clothes to save energy and money. Cold water can also help make your clothes last longer as heat can break down the dyes in clothes and causes shrinkage.
- Hire Your Home Green with a green cleaning service or request green cleaning products. Many cleaning companies like A La Maid are willing to use homeowners’ green products or you can request certain items such as vinegar and water, which is natural and can pretty much clean anything.
References:
www.treehugger.com
www.thespruce.com
www.today.com
www.goodhousekeeping.com
www.smithsonianmag.com
www.epa.gov
www.evolvingwellness.com