Cleaning the house...naturally

Have you ever cleaned the house with a cleaner that made your eyes water, burned your nose, gave you a cough or dried out and cracked your hands? Now imagine how that feels to a baby or little child, who is a hundred times more sensitive. Or a cat or dog, whose nose is always to the ground and licking everything. Every year, five to ten million household poisonings are reported. Many are fatal and most of the victims are children - Debra Lynn Dadd "Home Safe Home", 2004. These poisonings are the result of accidental ingestion or contact with common household substances found in just about every home. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that the typical cleaners that line an entire isle at the supermarket are extremely dangerous to children, adults and pets. Not only are conventional cleaners dangerous to our family's health, they are killing our environment.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Of chemicals commonly found in the home, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and physiological abnormalities".

Such an overwhelming, expensive, dangerous decision...

Now most parents keep the cleaning supplies locked up somewhere, so they do not worry about accidental ingestion. True, but think about this -  what happens when you open up the dishwasher? Hot steam comes out, and the person opening it inhales the chemical-laden steam. What if your child is standing right next to you? What about when you bleach your tub, and then your kids sit in there and play? Or my favorite commercial that recommends using a part of Clorox Bleach to clean kids toys (which they eventually put in their mouth) and put in the dog bowl to disinfect it? Really? Who would put bleach, even in the smallest amount, near their kids and pets? Children breathe at a faster rate, so they take in more chemicals if present, then adults. They also have higher metabolic rates in which the chemicals are processed through their body faster. It is also about accumulation. The amount of solution used at one time might not seem so bad, but add up the floor cleaner, countertop cleaner, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, air freshener, stain remover, bathroom cleaner....yes, that is alot of exposure!

There is absolutely no need to bleach everything. Natural cleaners not only do the job just as well, but you can be assured that you, your family, your pets and the planet are safe. Another bonus is that homemade cleaners are so inexpensive! If you are looking to save some money - and who isn't! - homemade cleaners are the way to go. Using products that you probably have already makes this change easy. You might spend a little on the essential oils at first, but they last forever. I started doing this about 3 years ago and I am still using the same small bottles of the oils.


Our vet, who is very holistic, told us once that the number one reason cats and dogs are brought in are for poisoning, due to the SwifferWet wipes. They lick the floor after a cleaning, and when enough of the product is swallowed, it causes sickness or even death! The Swiffer people came up with a great idea - but you can easily change it up to be safer! You can buy the Swiffer "mop" but make your own wet pads by wetting a thick paper towel or cloth with water. Spray the "Disinfectant Thyme" solution (listed below) on the floor and "swiffer" away! I have recently bought a wet mop by O-Cedar, and I love it! What I like most is: (1) It was only $22.00, (2) you can wash and reuse the pad and (3) you can put your own solution in the bottle!

STARTER SHOPPING LIST:
Spray bottles - $2.00/16 oz. bottle
Vinegar - $1.00/Gallon jug
Baking soda - $.72/16 oz. box
Lemon juice - $1.75/15 oz. bottle
Washing soda/Borax - $2.99/4 lb. box
Castile Soap (liquid)  - $13.00 /32oz. bottle
Essential Oils: TeaTree, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Thyme, Citrus (orange or lemon) - Range between $6.00 - $8.00/1 oz. bottle.


RECIPES: (These costs are estimates based on the quantity/prices listed above)

Herbal Degreaser:
(1) 16 oz. Spray bottle = $2.00
(1) Cup (8 oz) water = FREE
(1/8) cup Castile Soap = $.40
(5) drops Lavender Essential Oil = $.10
TOTAL COST = $2.50, and only .50 to replace the solution!
**This can be used on any surface (except real wood and electronics). It is especially good at cutting grease and dried-on food**

 Disinfectant Thyme:
(1) 16 oz. Spray bottle = $2.00
(1) Cup (8 oz) water = FREE
(1) Cup (8 oz) vinegar = $.06
(5) drops Tea Tree Essential Oil = $.10
(3) drops Thyme Essential Oil = $.06
TOTAL COST = $2.22, and only $.22 to replace the solution!
** This solution is awesome! I literally use it to clean everything. I keep a bottle in the bathroom and kitchen, and use it daily or as needed to wipe down the sink, counters, mirror, appliances, cabinets. No need to buy numerous cleaners - this one does it all!**

Mold/Mildew Prevention:
(1) 16 oz. Spray bottle = $2.00
(2) Cups (16 oz) water = FREE
(10) drops Citrus Essential Oil = $.20
(4) drops Juniper Essential Oil = $.08
(2) tsp Tea Tree Essential Oil = $2.40
TOTAL COST = $4.68, and only $2.68 to replace the solution!
**This is great for the bathroom shower and toilet. I will spray in the morning and let it sit, then come back later in the afternoon to clean. Wherever mold tends to build up, spray this solution in that area often to keep the mold away!**



Other things you can do....

• Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, let sit for a few hours and then vacuum up to deodorize the carpet. Adding a few drops of essential oil of your choice to the baking soda will leave behind a light scent (I like Lavender).
• Combine baking soda and castile soap and a few drop of essential oil of your choice to create a paste. Use this as a soap scrub on sinks, shower tiles and glass doors.
• Baking soda, washing soda, borax and vinegar all help laundry detergent work better.
• Sprinkle baking soda on shower tile that is discolored due to mold/mildew. Wait a few hours to clean off, and it will be white again! Lemon juice works well too!
• Sprinkle a little baking soda or borax in the bottom of laundry pail or garbage pail to deodorize.
• Diluted castile soap with a few drop of essential oil can be used as a dish soap. Pure castile soap is gentle enough to use to wash baby, or delicate hand-wash only garments. 
• Equal parts vinegar and water is a simple fruit & veggie wash to keep by the sink.

Now, I do have to say that some natural cleaners I have not tried, or not been very successful with. However, I always insist on purchasing products that do NOT contain phosphates. For laundry, I LOVE "Planet" laundry detergent, which is also one the the "safe" detergents for cloth diapers. (Most all cloth diaper companies recommend that you use very specific detergent or the diapers could be ruined. No phosphates, whiteners, brighteners, etc.) "Planet" is gentle but effective for baby clothes, too! For the dishwasher, I use either Method tablets, 7th Generation powdered and/or liquid detergent or Mrs. Meyers.  All work great!

This stuff never goes bad, although essential oils can loose their power if exposed to light. Buy the kind that are in dark bottles and keep in a cool, dry, dark place.
The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers

Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning

Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home