Green Your Household Cleaning Routine

When you assemble your arsenal of mops, scrub brushes and sponges, make sure to pay close attention to the cleaners that you decide to use.

Did you know…

• It is estimated that each American household contains 63 synthetic chemical products, adding up to roughly 10 gallons of harmful cleaning products and pesticides.
• As a result of the presence of harmful chemicals indoors, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the outside air.  This air pollution can result in skin discoloration, difficulty breathing, vomiting, mucous membrane damage, and can even be associated with cancer and birth defects.
• Conventional household cleaners often contain chemical cleaning agents like alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).  These chemicals do not easily break down after they are washed down the drain and can have a negative affect on the reproductive systems of birds and mammals.

Here are some environmentally friendly alternatives to using harmful household cleaners:

• All-surface cleaners for kitchen and bath
  Use white vinegar (Fill several small spray bottles with straight vinegar, or dilute it with no more than 50 percent water so it will last longer. Alternatively, just wet a rag with vinegar and directly wipe down household surfaces.)
• Window cleaner
  Mix 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon castile soap, and 3 tablespoons vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and experiment with ratios until you get it right.
• Dust repellant
  Use a rag dipped in white vinegar
• Furniture polish
  Mix equal parts white vinegar (or lemon juice) and olive oil in an old shampoo bottle. Shake well and apply to a rag (old undershirts make great cleaning rags), working first in long strokes following the grain, followed by circular buffing.  Rub the mixture into the wood until it is absorbed, using a clean rag to wipe off excess, if any.

For more information on other ways to make your spring cleaning more sustainable, visit www.greenyour.com.