Cleaning Well: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Solutions

“A clean environment is the foundation for a clear mind and good health."

-Joshua Becker

We all long for our homes to be clean, safe environments. Our homes, after all, are our safe havens, the place where we can relax and enjoy the presence of our loved ones. Unfortunately, toxins that are around us outside of our homes have often found their way inside our homes too, threatening our most precious environment. This is often true of the very products we rely on to keep our homes clean and safe.

Currently in the United States there are no ingredient labeling requirements for household cleaning products. This means that, with few exceptions, dangerous chemical ingredients can be included in the products you buy without your knowledge or any warning about their potential for harm.

In a 2012 study by the Environmental Working Group, 53 percent of cleaning products studied contained ingredients harmful to the lungs, while 22 percent contained ingredients that cause asthma. Ingredients like phthalates and triclosan are commonly found in household cleaners and can lead to serious, negative health consequences.

Phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in children. They can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled when used in cleaning products. Triclosan has been associated with antibiotic resistance, hormone disruption, and liver toxicity. It can also contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria in the environment when overused.

Another ingredient often lurking in stain treaters and carpet cleaners in particular is perchloroethylene (PERC), which is a potential carcinogen that has been linked to liver and kidney damage. It can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea, and long-term exposure may lead to central nervous system damage.

Obviously, cleaning our homes with toxic chemicals is an ironic way to go about achieving cleanliness. Cleaning is about wellness. What we use to clean our household spaces can either promote wellness or induce illness.

A Better Way

For generations, homes have been cleaned using little more than a handful of simple ingredients, like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. These ingredients still work, and work well. In various combinations, a dozen or so household ingredients can provide for all of our cleaning solutions, from dishes and laundry, to windows and floors. In addition to eliminating harmful chemicals from our homes, creating homemade cleaning products saves money and the environment (think glass jars and bottles over plastic).

For example, using just two ingredients - vinegar and citrus peels - you can make an all-purpose cleaner that's good for almost every surface in your home, including windows, mirrors, sinks, tubs, toilets, and appliances.

Simply combine two cups of citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit) in a quart jar and cover with vinegar (distilled white or apple cider). Cover jar with a cloth secured by a rubber band and place in a sunny spot for about 2 weeks. Then, strain out the peels and keep your solution in an airtight glass jar. To use, dilute by combining one part vinegar solution to one part water.

Alternatively, you could add 5-10 drops of a citrus essential oil to 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water.

Non-Toxic Solutions in Action

Our March members meeting is the first in a three-part series on practical ways to help eliminate the toxins from our homes. In this first meeting, we'll dive into homemade home cleaning products. Solenberger's Hardware will be our host and sponsor for this evening of learning. In addition to providing our venue, Solenberger's has taken the hassle out of shopping by putting together kits including many of the toxin-free supplies we'll cover in the meeting. You'll be able to easily get on your way to healthier cleaning solutions!

Further Reading

The books listed below are excellent resources for learning more about non-toxic cleaning options and recipes you can make and use in your own home.

Simply Living Well

by Julia Watkins

Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness

by Halle Cottis

Little House Living

by Merissa A. Alink

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