Before we know it, the first warm day of spring will be upon us. As we excitedly throw open the windows without getting frostbite, we also realize how dusty, dirty, and cluttered our houses have become during the winter hibernation. We get the urge for spring cleaning, but how do we do this the cheapest and greenest way possible?
Identify toxic products!
Many household cleaning (or other) products are considered hazardous. If you have kids or are worried about your health watch for words on the labels such as “caution,” ” warning,” ” danger,” or “poison.”. These are “Signal Words” and are required by law to be put on the labels of hazardous products.
Here are the ‘meaning’ of these signal words:
• Caution – mildly to moderately hazardous (not fatal if swallowed but the product may irritate the skin or make a person sick)
• Warning – moderately hazardous
• Danger – extremely hazardous, i.e., extremely flammable, corrosive or highly toxic
• Poison – highly toxic (harmful or fatal if swallowed)
Here are some of the ingredients that are considered toxic: Ammonia, Chlorine bleach, Methylene chloride, Formaldehyde, Sulfuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Formaldehyde, Sulfuric acid, Sodium hydroxide. Avoid these if possible. You should also stay away from aerosol sprays as they produce tiny droplets that are easily inhaled into the lungs and absorbed through the skin. Fragrances can also be toxic especially if they are made from synthetic chemicals. They are present not only in personal and beauty products, but also in cleaners, laundry products, and air fresheners. Synthetic fragrances can cause allergy and asthma attacks. In addition, the chemicals in fragrances are inhaled and absorbed into the skin and accumulate in the body over time.
Use plant based and biodegradable products or ingredients!
Look for cleaning products made from plant based and biodegradable products instead of petroleum based products. Buy fewer household chemicals and use multipurpose cleaners to avoid buying many specialty cleaners. Use single-ingredient products (baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt) that serve several functions. Sometimes muscle can replace chemicals. For example: try to dislodge a clog in a drain with a mechanical “snake”, scrub sink stains with an abrasive sponge or use a dandelion digger instead of weed killer.
If you want to save money and be safe from toxins try to make a cleaner yourself! The ingredients below serve as the building blocks for safe home cleaning:
Baking Soda - Cleans and deodorizes. Softens water to increase the sudsing and cleaning power of soap. Good scouring powder.
Borax - Cleans and deodorizes. Excellent disinfectant. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores.
Liquid Soap - Look for soap with non-synthetic, plant-based ingredients such as olive oil-based. Biodegrades safely and completely and is non-toxic. Available in grocery stores and health food stores.
Washing Soda - Cuts grease and removes stains. Disinfects. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores, order at hardware stores or in pure form from chemical supply houses as “sodium carbonate.”
White Vinegar or Lemon Juice - Cuts grease and freshens.
Vegetable Oil - Works well when polishing and cleaning wood.
There are many websites where you can find recipes for homemade cleaning. Here are a couple below (courtesy of the Dakota County Website:
All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes
Recipe 1
Combine ingredients in a small bucket or spray bottle. Apply with a sponge or rag and wipe clean.
Recipe 2
Mix ingredients in a pail. Apply with mop or cloth and wipe clean.
(For more ideas click HERE.)
Getting rid of stuff
Upon cleaning a lot of people find things in their home that they don’t need anymore. If you need to get rid of stuff remember to throw as little as possible to the trash!
HAVE A PRODUCTIVE SPRING CLEANING EVERYONE!
