by: Courtney Remacle
Most of us at least try to keep our homes, dorms, and other assorted living spaces neat and tidy, but being clean and sustainable isn’t always the easiest. Most conventional cleaning products are filled with toxins, CFCs, carcinogens, and other assorted things that are bad for human health and the health of the planet. Luckily, there are lots of simple, non-toxic ingredients that most of us have around the house that can be used as substitutes for common household cleaners. Green cleaning doesn’t have to be hard!
On their own, baking soda, lemon, borax, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol make excellent cleaners and disinfectants. Or, try the recipes below to make your own all-natural household cleaners!
All Purpose Cleaner: Mix ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda with ½ gallon of water. This cleaner is able to be stored and can be used for sinks, countertops and tabletops, and in the bathroom.
Furniture Polish: Start with ½ cup of warm water and add a few drops of lemon oil. Use a soft cloth for cleaning.
Disinfectant: 2 teaspoons Borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, and 3 cups of hot water. For a stronger formula, and ¼ teaspoon castile soap.
You can find more natural cleaning recipes and suggestions here. If there are some cleaning products you still need to buy, the Organic Consumers Association offers the following tips for selecting the safest and healthiest cleaning products for you and the environment:
- Products that are labeled “Danger” or “Poison” are typically the most toxic; formulas with a “Caution” are considered only slightly toxic. Products containing a “Warning” label fall somewhere in the middle.
- Many cleaning products don’t contain an ingredients list, but if it does scan the list for hazardous chemicals and select products with plant-based (instead of petroleum-based) ingredients.
- Look for specific claims on labels. Terms like “natural” or “eco-friendly” generally aren’t labeled, so they can be slapped on anything, even products that are hazardous to the environment or human health. Claims like “solvent-free”, “phosphate free” or “biodegrades in 3-5 days” typically hold more weight than their generic counterparts.
More information about cleaning product alternatives and reputable green cleaning products can be found here.