How To: Start Using Natural Cleaners
We’ve all heard about the dangers of using household commercial cleaners. It’s common knowledge that a lot of the products on the market these days contain harsh, toxic chemicals like phenol, formaldehyde and ammonia that can irritate the respiratory system and even leave long-term carcinogens in the body. And just because a cleaner is labeled “natural”, doesn’t mean that it is – right now, there are no laws that dictates how companies can advertise and label their products. Anything can be natural, with the right spin doctrine.
People seem to want to use natural cleaners, but they’re just not sure how to do it. There are a lot of misconceptions, including that it can be expensive and a lot of hassle. But what many people don’t realize is that cleaning the natural way can actually save money and is easier in the long run. Here are a few tips for how to take care of your household while also taking care of your health:
• Use what you already have. Believe it or not, you’ve probably already got everything in your kitchen cupboard to start cleaning naturally. Baking soda is great for scrubbing ovens, while white vinegar is a powerful all-purpose cleaner that can remove mildew and grease on kitchen counters. Whe mixed together, baking soda and vinegar is ace for cleaning toilet bowls. If the smell is a little strong, that can be easily cut down with a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Get a few go-to recipes. Now that you’ve got the basics down, you can start mixing your own cleaners. It may sound complicated, but again, you’ve probably already got all the ingredients stored away. Check out this list of 67 all-natural recipes compiled by a mother/blogger. Our favourite is this recipe for stain remover, which uses baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and sunlight. These ingredients are a big difference when compared to what’s inside commercial stain removers, notorious for being heavy on toxic chemicals.
• Save money. In the end, making your own cleaning products is cheaper than buying the individually packaged stuff. Most of these natural recipes use the same base ingredients – vinegar, baking soda, etc. – so that means you’ll also save on buying such items in bulk. It may take a little more time in the beginning, but soon enough you’ll be seeing a return in the piggybank.
• Too lazy? Find all-natural commercial products. Thanks to the Internet, it’s also easier than ever to order honest-to-goodness toxin-free cleaners. A few recommendations with good reviews and ratings: Soap Nuts, CitraSolv and the KitchenStone Cleaning Block.
• Protect your health. The best reason to start using natural cleaners is simple: it's better for the well-being of those you love. Take laundry detergent, for example. Clothes touch your body everyday and many brands contain petroleum distillates, which can be linked to cancer and lung disease. However you can easily make your own with Borax, washing soda (such as Arm and Hammer) and an unscented bar of soap. Now, that’s pretty hard to argue with, isn’t it?
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