The Cleaning Supplies

 

It just seems so . . . so oxymoron! contracdictionary words While you stand there looking at the products on the store shelves, you’ll notice that just about all of them are overloaded with chemicals you couldn’t even begin to pronounce – let alone know what they are.

 

And so you think:  I’m going to wipe down my kitchen counter with this chemical and then chance my food getting contaminated with it?  Are they nuts?  Wait!  Am I nuts?

 

Good question. 

 

When searching the stores for kitchen cleaning products especially, try to choose products that are labeled 100 percent biodegradable.  Do not use any products that contain chlorine, antimicrobials, phosphate, dyes or artificial fragrances.

 

Old standbys such as Murphy’s Oil Soap and Bon Ami cleanser are perfect.  These have been used for literally generations.  But there are now a whole host of “green” cleaners being touted by several companies.  Check these out as well.  Three of the more popular brands (and I’m not endorsing any of them) are Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Restore.  All three of these ecology-minded firms also manufacture dish washing detergent.

 

Kitchen degreasing products – as necessary as they are (or so we think) – also routinely contain volatile chemicals.  They’re loaded with substances such as perchloroethylene and toluene, to name just two.  While you decide how to pronounce them, let me explain to you that both of them are neurotoxins and considered carcinogenic – or cancer causing!

 

Wow!  It’s difficult even to clean your house these days without encountering the fear of raising your risk of cancer!  These products, by the way, not only let off dangerous fumes while you’re using them, but they create an equally dangerous residue on the surface you’re cleaning which may last for some time.

 

So just how can you tell if a product is not quite as “green” as you would like?  Well, here’s a good rule of thumb.  If the list of ingredients and other warnings are too small to read, and use words that you can’t pronounce and don’t recognize – the product is probably hazardous to your family’s health.  It’s that simple.

 

You should probably just put it back on the store shelf and run – to your nearest health food store.  Calmly ask the clerk if they have any nontoxic cleaning supplies.  Trust me, they will. She’ll also help educate you a little more about them as well. 

 

There’s also the alternative of using some “home remedies” to help you clean.  These are products you probably already have in your kitchen cabinets that are quite effective household cleaners.  Once we talk about them, you may even remark, “Ah!  My grandmother used to do that!”

 

Trust me, there was a reason your grandmother did!  Because those “made at home” cleaners really did work.  From baking soda to vinegar, you’d be surprised what you can use right now to clean with!

 

Now that we’ve got some of the worry about your family’s toxic build-up out of the way, let’s tackle your concern about your septic system.  You’ll want to specifically look for products that are labeled, “Safe for Septic Systems.”

 

Unfortunately, many of the cleansers and other products you routinely use to clean with contain chlorinated and antibacterial ingredients.  These can spell disaster for an average septic system.

 

And that brings us right back to the idea of the basic “made-at-home” cleaners.  If you’re serious about stocking up on these less toxic, equally effective tools of the trade, then here’s a quick-start guide!

 

 

The Simple, Bare Necessities

 

Three simple ingredients are all you really need to get you started:

 

White distilled vinegar. This is a powerful deodorizer.  And that’s exactly why I use it as a base for just about every cleaner.  It also works well to dissolve soap film, as well as any mineral deposits from evaporated water.

 

Baking soda.  The word “miracle” is bandied about so much these days.  But I’m going to add it to this discussion on cleaning as well.  Baking soda is, after all, truly a miracle natural cleanser.

 

 

Baking soda does more than just absorb odors.  It’s also a very effective mild abrasive that can be safely used to clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops. But what makes baking soda as welcome as a cleanser is that it’s non-toxic.

 

Liquid soap or detergent.

What kind of liquid soap?  I prefer to purchase mine at the health food store.  It’s called liquid castile soap.  If you can’t find it easily, ask a clerk.  He’ll be able to direct you to it.  And if not, I’m sure the store would be willing to order it.  You can also find it on the internet. 

 

To that, I add a variety of essential oils.  For the most part, I do this in order to make the vinegar smell a little less like vinegar and more like a flower garden.  After all, who wants to finish cleaning and realize that your house smells like a salad?

 

You may be able to find essential oils at the pharmacy counter of your local drug store or grocery store.  If you can’t, your local health food store definitely carries them. And of course, with the magical power of the internet, you can always buy them online!

 

I use a variety of scents from lavender to tea tree.  Tea tree oil, in fact, is an effective disinfectant.  You may want to keep this mixture handy for such places as the bathroom and kitchen.  Not only will your house smell good, but you can be sure that you’re removing many, if not all of the germs, at the same time.

 

Now, add to these three items a variety of bottles in which to store them.  While many times I mix these cleaners in a ratio that calls for a gallon of white vinegar to 50 or 75 drops of the essential oils.  I usually work with smaller containers.

Remember by ordering now at ONLY $22.95.............For a saving to you of $17.00 from the regular price of $39.95 .

With your order you will also receive the  (3) three

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