Nontoxic Cleaners
Homemade Non-Toxic Floor Cleaner
Negative health effects from exposure to chemicals are a growing concern. In fact, cleaning products are among the most common irritants in cases of multiple chemical sensitivity --- a condition in which people develop physical reactions like sneezing, skin rashes or difficulty breathing after exposure to low levels of chemicals. Non-toxic cleaning products people can make at home offer one solution to this problem. ...
Wood Floor Non-Toxic Cleaners
Much of what wood floors require is inherently non-toxic because it doesn't involve any cleaning products. Simple measures keep floors from getting ground-in dirt or neglected spills that call for chemical cleaners. Place mats outside your home's exterior doors and, if possible, near interior entrances to rooms with wood floors. A vacuum cleaner without a beater bar will suck up trapped food and dirt particles ...
Natural, Homemade, Streak-Free Glass Cleaner
Reducing the toxic cleaning chemicals in your home does not mean living with dirty windows. Natural, nontoxic, homemade glass cleaner works just as effectively as the chemical-laden version, while being safer for the environment. Commercial glass cleaners often contain 2-Butoxyethanol, which can cause sensory irritation when used in a poorly ventilated area. Toxic if ingested, 2-Butoxyethanol should be kept out of ...
Deodorizers & Cleaners for Toilets
When you use green cleaners and deodorizers for the toilet rather than chemical-based cleaning products, you can reduce your contribution to environmental pollution and improve your indoor air quality. Jill Schoff, author of "Green Up Your Cleanup," recommends that you rinse your toilet brush thoroughly and remove automatic bowl cleaners prior to using a green cleaner, as a negative interaction could occur between ...
More Articles on Nontoxic Cleaners
Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner
Commercial cleaning products come in a variety of scents, all calculated to convince you that your toilet is clean. Whether you're smelling pine, lemon or lilac, cleaning with commercial cleaners is like dousing your bowl in toxic chemicals and then hanging around to breathe in the fumes. To clean your toilet safely and effectively without irritating chemicals and artificial fragrances, make your own cleaning solutions.
Homemade Laundry Stain Cleaner Ideas
You can get stains out of clothing and fabric without using toxic chemicals. Many household items make natural, non-toxic and safe stain removers. Vinegar and baking soda take care of most stains and leave clothes fresh and clean in the process (see References 1). Milk, lemon juice, salt, club soda and glycerin also remove some stains from cloth (see References 3).
Biodegradable House Cleaners
When cleaning the home, you may think twice before grabbing your favorite conventional cleaners. Cleaning products are not required to list ingredients. Unlisted ingredients are often polluting to the environment and can cause irritation and illness to the home's inhabitants. On the extreme scale, some products contain toxins that are designated carcinogens. Biodegradable materials break down into nontoxic elements quickly. Creating your own cleaning supplies from biodegradable ingredients is a safe, inexpensive alternative to purchasing harsh chemical cleaners.
How Do I Make Homemade Non-Toxic Cleaners?
Many commercial cleaning products consist of non-biodegradable preservatives and harsh chemicals that can affect your family's health. With just a few common kitchen ingredients, such as white vinegar, water, baking soda, club soda and lemon, you can make effective and inexpensive cleaners that won't release toxins into your home or the environment.
Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaners
Non-toxic alternatives to commercial carpet cleaners reduce indoor air pollution, creating a safer environment for all members of a household --- especially for those in close contact with the floor, such as children and pets. Effective and affordable carpet cleaning products can be made from just a few common kitchen ingredients that degrade easily in the environment and release no harmful chemicals into the home.
About Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners
Many commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals and irritating scents that leave behind a residue, even after rinsing. If you have children or pets who are often in contact with the floor, or if you walk around barefoot, you may run the risk of skin irritation through contact with this residue. When you clean with harsh chemicals, you may experience eye and skin irritation or even chemical burns. Fortunately, you can make your own cleaning solutions that don't contain harmful substances. These natural cleaners cost less, can be custom-scented with essential oils and may even work better than their commercial counterparts. (See References 2)
How Does Household Cleaner Affect the Environment?
Household cleaners are not usually thought of as pollutants. They are used inside the confines of the home to make the indoor environment safe and clean for human habitation. Many household cleaners are effective at ridding the home of dirt, germs and other microscopic, harmful organisms. However, some of the cleaners that are used to sanitize, degrease, whiten and wash clothing, surfaces, dishes and bedding are also harming our water and air. (See Reference 1) The chemicals in many cleaners are common pollutants that contribute to smog, reduce the quality of drinking water and are toxic to animals.
Homemade Non Toxic Marble Counter Cleaner
For many householders, the mental picture of a "dream house" includes a beautiful expanse of highly polished marble countertop. Whether in the kitchen, the bath or both, marble's durability and beauty make it an impressive part of any interior design. However, new owners are often surprised to learn that marble requires careful handling. Like other types of stone, it's brittle and can be broken or chipped. It also requires careful cleaning, and many homemade nontoxic cleansers aren't appropriate for use on marble.
