Living Green With Non-Toxic Cleaners « MyMedicalForum MyMedicalForum

There’s nothing like the way a house smells after a day of cleaning. It’s a virtual cascade of refreshing florals and citrus, combined with the clean smell of bleach. So gratifying to breathe in the fragrant aromas of all the cleaning products it takes to get a house spic and span.

But all of those scents may be doing more harm than good. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, common cleaning products produce ‘indoor pollutants’ that can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue. They can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and aggravate asthma and other breathing conditions.

These pollutants can also cause long-term medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease and even cancer. So much for that fresh smell.

But there are common grocery items that are just as effective at cleaning – maybe even more – and without any side effects. Generations past, these were the cleaning products most commonly used in every household. Here are 5 of those taken from 27 Non-Toxic Recipes for DIY Spring Cleaning that can be combined in countless ways to clean every square inch of your house:

Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water and scours

White Vinegar – dissolves grease, soap scum and lime deposits

Lemon Juice – a strong food acid that kills bacteria

Castille Soap – 100% plant oils, completely biodegradable and earth-friendly

Olive Oil – lifts dirt as a cleaner, and nourishes and polishes wood

Now that days are getting longer and Spring cleaning is right around the corner, try a few of these recipes to clean your house, the green way.

If you have a friend who could benefit from less pollutants in their home, please forward this article on to them.

Sources:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/12-great-ways-to-use-castile-soap

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm#substitutions

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/natural-doityourself-cleaning-solutions-79170.html