The manufacturing of so called “green” household cleaning products has become big business in America. Many of us make the effort to buy these products because we want to keep our families safe from harmful toxins, but what we don’t know about these products could be just as harmful as the chemicals we aim to avoid.
The use of any one of these environmentally friendly sprays and scrubs is not necessarily doing damage to our health, but we rarely use just one product to grind away grit and grime, and the unknown consequences of combining cleaners could be killer.
Would you use the same product to clean your toilet boil as you use to wipe your kitchen counter? I didn’t think so.
According to the National Environmental Trust, the volatile organic compounds used to enhance the effectiveness of these naturally derived products can impair neurological function and irritate respiratory pathways depending on exposure. There is little to no regulations on these cleaning products and in consequence ingredient labelling is often manipulated or just plain false.
According to Tom Natan, a biochemical engineer with the National Environmental Trust, there is no need to use powerful bacteria killing products, it is just a matter of getting these microbes off the surfaces that we are in contact with. Harsh cleaners that kill all bacteria (good and bad) can actually weaken natural immune defences and leave us prone to colds and infection.
Here is a recipe for an effective and 100% non-toxic household cleaner that you can make at home – it will not only save you money but could save your family from serious health problems:
Materials:
- large glass mason jar with tight-fitting lid
- white distilled vinegar
- organic citrus fruit (oranges, limes and/or lemons work)
Method:
1. Peel enough citrus fruit to fill your entire mason jar with the rinds. Feel free to use a mix of limes, lemons and oranges. Also remember not to waste the fruit itself and incorporate it into your morning smoothies, keeping the peels in the freezer until you collect enough to fill your jar.
2. Pour enough white distilled vinegar over the rind filled jar to completely cover the peels. Secure the lid tightly and let sit for up to 3 weeks. It can actually make a colorful centre piece and topic of conversation for visiting dinner guests.
3. Strain the liquid from the peels and make sure to get all the solid matter out of the way. What you are left with is a very potent cleaner which I like to dilute in a spray bottle with a half and half solution of water and vinegar.
4. Clean away! You can use this on just about any surface except for marble.
The growing germephobia of America is partly used by marketers to sell more products. Just think of all the anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and soaps that fill aisles of your local grocer. Next time your shopping, try shopping in the produce department for your bathroom cleaner!
