Go Green: How to Clean Green

Air fresheners, carpet cleaners, detergents, dish wash soap and toilet cleaners contain chemicals like formaldehyde, chlorine, sodium hydroxide and a lot more. These chemicals can cause poisoning, fertility issues, birth defects, breathing trouble and many more.

We can’t quit washing dishes or cleaning upholstery. So what alternative do we have? You can make natural cleaning products at home which are just as effective. Here’s how.

• Vinegar is effective against molds, grease, grime and stains. Use white vinegar since it is a better cleaning agent. Vinegar can also be used to get rid of rust, tea and coffee stains.
• Make a paste of baking soda, salt and water to get a great oven cleaner.
• Use ammonia to combat grease. Remember never to mix bleach with ammonia since the fumes are toxic.
• Baking soda can be used for scouring since it has slight abrasive properties.
• Salt is also effective against grease. Simply sprinkle salt over the greasy surface and wipe with a towel. The abrasive nature of salt grains will help get rid of accumulated oil and grease.
• To remove odors, use lemon. It is an effective anti bacterial agent. Add some lemon juice to your regular dish wash detergent to make your dishes smell fresh. Lemon also adds shine to glassware.
• Use vegetable based soap like castile soap. This is made from olive oil and can be used for many purposes around the home. Even regular soap is a better alternative to anti bacterial soap, because it contains triclosan, which is extremely toxic.
• You can clean upholstery, carpets and curtains using a paste made of baking soda.
• To remove stains use salt or club soda. Salt is particularly effective against wine and fruit stains. Lighter stains can be removed using club soda.
• Use borax to clean tiles and walls. Borax has anti bacterial properties plus it acts as a deodorant. Being alkaline in nature, borax is effective in combating grease and tough stains.
• Use vinegar to clean toilet bowls. Dilute vinegar with some water and then rinse.

If you have to buy commercially available products, make sure that you buy chlorine and phosphate free products. Don’t buy products which are not really needed. For instance, do you really need that cylinder of air freshener? It may work wonders but it contains formaldehyde, a carcinogen. It can also cause breathing problems, birth defects and more. Do you need to pay such a huge price when the same effects can be attained by opening the window or using an exhaust fan?

Think twice before you buy products that are detrimental to the environment. Go in for home made natural products which are safe and just as effective.