Cleaning products and the toxins, synthetic chemicals, and artificial fragrance pollute our homes and our air.  This affects our health.  Many cause asthma, cancer and are endocrine disrupters which means they are taking their toll on fertility and our reproductive systems.

Detergents and Chlorine are the leading cause of child poisonings.  Cleaning products are responsible for nearly 10 percent of all toxic exposures according to U.S. Poison Control Centers, and nearly two-thirds involve children under six years of age who swallow or spill cleaners on themselves.

• What's Chemicals are in the Cleaners?
• What Chemicals are in My Favorite Brand? 
• Why are those Chemicals bad?
• Deciphering the Terms
• What can I Choose Instead?
• How can I Make My Own
• If I don't want to make my own, which brands are better choices?  Choose environmentally safe brands: Seventh Generation, ECOS Earth Friendly, EO Essential Oils

Avoid these kinds of cleaners and personal products with these ingredients as they can irritate, may be possible carcinogens, and are not safe for our children, ourselves, or our environment.  Here is a short list of some of the most commonly used chemicals:  (skip list)

• Aerosols
• Ammonia
• APEs - Alkylphenol Ethoxylates
• Chlorine Bleach
• DEA, MEA, TEA
• Fragrance
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate - SLES or SLS Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• More complete List of Chemicals

Unfortunately, not all ingredients are listed on labels because of "trade secrets" much like perfumes and other personal products.

What's wrong with these things?  Many potentially cause cancer.   Many are bad for our environment, don't biodegrade, get into our water supply and therefore back into us, and get into our plants and animals that we eat and therefore back into us.  For more specific information and a more complete list of chemicals and their potential dangers, see the Chemicals page.  (skip to deciphering terms)

Deciphering the Terms: (skip to find out what we should choose instead)

Avoid the products labeled:

• "poison" = highly toxic
• "danger" = extremely flammable or highly toxic
• "corrosive" or "may cause burns"  = toxic
• "warning" = toxic but somewhat less toxic
• "caution" = somewhat less toxic

The following terms are unregulated or don't necessarily mean safe, they are advertising terms so we need to read the labels to determine if they are safe:

• "biodegradable"
• "eco-friendly"
• "nontoxic"
• "natural"
• "no CFCs" - no Chlorofluorocarbons
• "non-toxic"
• "organic"

A note about Aerosols and what makes them "spray":

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochloro-Flourocarbons (HCFCs), and Halons deplete the ozone layer and allow UV radiation to get to earth (potential skin cancer) and have therefore been banned since 1978.  They are also a cardiovascular toxin.  So a note of "no CFCs" on the label is completely meaningless advertising just to make us think it's safe.  Nowadays aerosols use Isobutane Propane and Butane and though they don't destroy the ozone layer, the latest studies indicate that they are toxic to the heart and central nervous system.  Aerosols are inherently dangerous because the very nature pushes tiny droplets into the air and therefore can be easily inhaled into our lungs and absorbed quickly into our bloodstream.  As a rule, aerosols are bad.

If the label says that it's biodegradable with a time certain (like 3 - 5 days), that's much better than the general "biodegradable" label.  Earth Friendly talks about Biodegradebility.

How Does Your Favorite Brand Compare?  Check the site to see which chemicals might be in your products.

Choose instead to read the labels and make sure the product has:

• no solvents
• no petroleum-based (synthetic) ingredients
• no phosphates
• natural plant-based fragrance
• recycled containers (over just being recyclable)
• refillable and reusable containers
• plant-based ingredients (d-limonene, pine, corn, palm or coconut oil)
• castile soaps instead of petroleum-based surfactants
• neutral ph
• sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate, or sodium carbonate
• soap products over detergents
• is not "anti-bacterial" chemically

We could also be more environmentally conscience by looking at packaging too and choosing to buy in bulk or concentrated formulas that take up less space in packaging.

Safer choices include:

• Boron
• Pine Oil Solvents or corn, palm or coconut oil-based
• Essential Oils
• Plant-based Ethanol
• Plant-based Optical Brighteners
• No Artificial Colors or Natural Colors
• Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Silicate, or Sodium Carbonate
   
• Boron is found naturally in the environment and is non-toxic.  However, it can irritate our respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems in large amounts. Research has shown that it may be damaging to aquatic plants.  Perborate is one of the safest of boron/borine compounds and is commonly used in powdered detergents, denture cleaners, and mouthwash.
   
• Fragrance from pure, natural, essential plant oils are fully biodegrade and are non-toxic.  If the ingredients list "fragrance" than it may be hiding phthalates.  Make sure your product is using plant essential oil scents or are fragrance-free.  Earth Friendly, Bi-O-Kleen, and EO use true fragrance.
   
• Plant-based Ethanol (from corn) is usually fermented from sugars and breaks down very rapidly in the environment.
   
• Plant-based Optical Brighteners are biodegradable and non-toxic.
   
• Pure, natural, food-grade dyes from plants are biodegrade and non-toxic.
   
• Pine Oil Solvents or corn, palm or coconut oil-based are all safer alternatives.
   
• Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Silicate, or Sodium Carbonate are safer alternatives to harsh chemicals.

There are many commercial products we can buy that do the job or we can make our own cleaning products.  Safer brands are listed in the The Green Guide, Household Cleaning Supplies article.  Delicious Organics only carries cleaners that are environmentally friendly and safe for people (when used properly, of course, we're not saying you can eat it!). If you choose to make some cleaners yourself, make sure to label all homemade cleaners.  Keep all cleaning products, store bought and homemade, up high and out of the reach of children, your own or visiting kids.

Buy ECOS Earth Friendly Products Now - winner of the 2002 Reader's Choice Award!

Bi-O-Kleen products are also outstanding!  Buy Bi-O-Kleen Products Now

Seventh Generation offers many safe products!

Citra Solv Products are safe and work very well and smell great too!

ECover products are very effective!

To make our own cleaning products, we could start with:

• Baking Soda
• Borax
• Club Soda
• Corn Starch
• Essential Oils
• Flour
• Herbs, fresh
• Hot Water - steamer or boiling water
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Lemons and Fresh Lemon Juice
• Liquid Castile Soap - Dr. Bronner's
• Oil
• Salt
• Scrub Brushes, Spray Bottles and Containers
• Toothpaste
• Vinegar
• Washing Soda or Sodium Carbonate

Baking Soda is a great all around, nontoxic, product with many uses.  It deodorizes, scrubs gently, polishes, cleans and removes stains.

• removes tarnish from silver
• cleans stainless steel
• removes crayon marks from walls
• deodorizes, neutralizing acid-based odors
• absorbs odors
• soothes sunburns, prickly heat and wind burn

how:

• use with damp cloth as nonabrasive cleanser for kitchen and bathroom and to get crayon, ink, or pencil marks off walls and wallpaper, wipe clean
• add a cup to the laundry wash to neutralize perspiration odors and other odors
• add 1/4 cup to laundry as a fabric softener
• use as and air freshener, carpet deodorizer, and to absorb odors in the fridge
• make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to silver with damp cloth, rub, rinse and buff
• for a stronger laundry detergent and stain remover- add 1/2 cup baking soda to the detergent
• pour the old box that has done it's time in the fridge absorbing odors down the garbage disposal to freshen the disposal.  If you need to degrease the disposal too, after the baking soda add 1 cup of vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes or overnight.  Rinse with hot water.  (this recipe from CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes)
• polish silver and stainless steel - paste of baking soda and water
• soothe sunburn with a mild 15 minute bath with 1/2 c baking soda in the bath water
• mix with salt for a tougher abrasive for sinks and kitchen
• baking soda mixed with confectionary sugar will kill the roaches
• Cream Cleanser - mix with Castile soap to form a gentle
• Drains - maintain clean drains, mix:
  • 1/2 cup baking soda,
  • 1/2 cup salt and
  • 1/8 cup cream of tartar. 
  • Pour down drain and follow with hot water. Note: Use all mixture; it does not remain active if stored.  (from Home Safe Home)
• Tub and Tile Cleaner - mix 1 2/3 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup Castile soap and 1/2 cup water.  Right before ready to apply add 2 T vinegar (vinegar reacts with baking soda if you add it too early so wait a few minutes and then do it when you're ready.)  Apply, wipe and scrub.  This recipe is from CHEC
• Silver Tarnish Magic - in a clean sink put a sheet or a crumpled piece of aluminum foil, then add 1 t baking soda, 1 t salt and 2 quarts boiling water and stir.  Add your silver and let soak.  Voila!  Rinse, dry and buff with a nice soft cloth.

Borax

• is a natural mineral
• can be used as a ant trap mixed with sugar for cockroaches
  • IMPORTANT NOTE:  put up high and out of the reach of kids and pets
• is a mineral related to baking soda but stronger
• toxic if swallowed
• disinfects
• kills mold and bacteria
• inhibits the growth of mold
• Cautions:  use gloves with it, don't use on aluminum

how:

• Disinfectant - mix together:
  • 1/2 cup borax
  • 1 gallon hot water (use 2 gallons water to clean the floors)
  • for added touch add some fresh herbs and steep first (don't forget to pull out the herbs before you use it) (you can also add 1/4 cup castile soap for extra cleaning strength)
• Disinfectant - mix and put in spray bottle:
  • 2 t borax
  • 4 T vinegar
  • 3-4 cups hot water
  • this recipe from CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes
• Extra Strength Disinfectant - mix same as above but add:
  • 1/4 t castile soap
  • this recipe from CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes
• Remove Mildew in the bathroom by letting this sit on the site a few minutes and then scrubbing (from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely):
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Borax
  • 2 cups water
• Blood stains can be removed by first rinsing in cold water, then scrubbing under warm water, then dip in a solution of:
  • 1 quart borax
  • 2 cups cold water
  • (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)
• Stains on clothes - prewash soak clothes in water with Borax (or Lemon Juice or Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar)
• Cleaner, general, mix (from Home Safe Home):
  • hot water
  • castile soap
  • borax

Club Soda can help remove stains and can be combined with other products

• blot recent stain, pour on club soda, rub, wash as usual
• pre-laundry to remove grease or wine stains - pour it on and scrub
• apply to wine stain on carpet and rub it in, wait and few moments and sponge off
• pour over fixtures to clean and shine

Corn Starch

• removes sand off the kids from the beach before they get into the car
• removes cut hair off the kids after haircuts
• is a safer than baby powder
• cleans and deodorizes carpets and life's messes in carpets
• for crisp ironing - mist on 2 T cornstarch in 1 pint water (shake before spraying) (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Essential Oils - like lavender, clove, tea tree oil (fungicide), grapefruit seed extract - 1teaspoon to 2 cups water or 20 drops per quart;

• adds fragrance
• also has some cleaning and antibacterial power
• use as an effective, safe air freshener

Flour -

• clean chrome - use white flour on a dry rag
• cleans copper, brass, bronze and pewter - mix 1:1:1 Flour, Salt and Vinegar to form a thick paste.  Rub on, let sit for an hour, rinse off and buff.

Herbs

• fresh herbs add a nice smell to homemade cleaning products
• add them to any solution with hot water and let it steep
• bay leaves in your box of pasta or flour will keep away the bugs

Hot Water

• disinfects
• scrub cutting board with hot water and soap after each use

Hydrogen Peroxide

• disinfects
• use on cuts and boo-boos
• spray cutting board with peroxide and then spray with vinegar or vice versa (don't combine them in one bottle.  doing one and then the other is best.)

Lemons and Fresh Lemon Juice

• acidic
• comes in it's own scrubbing case - use the entire lemon!
• neutralizes alkaline - dissolves gummy build up, tarnish, removes dirt from wood
• whitens
• cuts grease like Vinegar
• cleans stains on porcelain and aluminum - dip cloth in lemon juice, polish, rinse with warm water
• cleans copper, bronze and aluminum - rub with lemon slices, if necessary, sprinkle lemons with baking soda and then rub (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)
• baking soda, lemon juice and water can be used to disinfect countertops, microwaves, bathrooms
• apply lemon juice to a stain on cotton clothes and let it out in the sun to naturally bleach it

Liquid Castile Soap

• cuts grease and does it all!
• mild soap made from olive or coconut oil or other oil instead of petroleum-based
• Dr. Bronner's is the ultimate Castile Soap that does it all!

Oil is great for furniture polish - olive or flax seed oil - recipes for furniture polish:

• mix oil : lemon juice, 1 : 1/2
• mix 1 T lemon juice or white vinegar with 1/2 cup oil
• mix 1 t oil with 1/2 vinegar for dusting (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)

Salt is a nice abrasive and can be used for gently scrubbing and cleaning.

• add salt to copper pan with a lemon and scrub
• this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely

Sodium Carbonate or Washing Soda

• cuts grease
• cleans petroleum oil
• removes wax and lipstick
• neutralizes odors
• is a natural mineral related to baking soda but much stronger
• Cautions:  use gloves with it, don't use on fiberglass, aluminum, or on waxed floors (unless you want to remove the wax); don't use a thick paste on a painted surface or it will peel off the paint

how to use:

• tough jobs on glass or stone:  make a paste with washing soda and water, spread it on, leave overnight but mist it some to keep it moist, rinse
• for a stronger laundry detergent and stain remover- add 1/2 cup washing soda to the detergent
• for a stubborn stains - make a paste of water and washing soda (use gloves) or use non-chlorine bleach like Oxo-Brite or another one containing Sodium Percarbonate or Sodium Perborate.
• General Cleaner - from Home Safe Home:
  • 1/2 cup washing soda
  • bucket of hot water
• Floor Cleaner for greasy floors - mix together:
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 2 gallons hot water
  • 1/4 cup washing soda
  • 1 T soap

Toothpaste

• is a great nonabrasive cleanser (and it smells minty fresh too!)
• can be used to get the white rings off wood furniture - dab it on, let it dry and gently buff off (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Distilled White Vinegar can clean so many surfaces from the hard to the soft, it shines metal and yes, it even does windows.

• acidic
• removes stains from cloth (clothes, furniture) - apply to the stain and then wash
• kills germs
• use in bathroom - fixtures and floor
• cleans mildew, soap scum and grime from the bathtub, tile, shower curtains
• cleans rust - soak in vinegar overnight
• pre-laundry to keep colors brighter and prevent fading
• cleans copper, bronze and pewter
• whitens
• disinfect kitchen surfaces
• kill bacteria, mold and virus in the bathroom

how to use?

• straight strength for cleaning rust and mildew and as pre-laundry
• as a fabric softener use 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle
• 1:1 Vinegar : Water in a spray bottle and wipe clean for lighter jobs
• Windows:  1 quart of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar
• Windows:  1 quart of water and 3 T of vinegar or use ratio of 1:1/2 water:vinegar (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)
• Extra Dirty Windows:  2 cups of water and 3 T of vinegar and 1/2 t castile soap
• soak bright colors in vinegar for 10 minutes before washing in the laundry
• add it to soap to make a new super soap mixture
• Floor Cleaner - mix together:
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 2 gallons hot water
  • this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely
• for tougher jobs, like the toilet:
  • 1 cup of borax,
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice
  • and let it sit a few hours (or leave borax in overnight and then add vinegar the next day)
  • then use it to scrub with a toilet brush and flush clean
• another toilet solution - can leave overnight - combine 1:1:1
  • baking soda
  • borax
  • white vinegar
• For cleaning up grease, cleaning expert Annie Berthold-Bond recommends a spray bottle with:
  • 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda,
  • 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar,
  • 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, and
  • 2 cups of hot water
  • Wear gloves when working with washing soda, though.
• cleans copper, brass, bronze and pewter - mix 1:1:1 Flour, Salt and Vinegar to form a thick paste.  Rub on, let sit for an hour, rinse off and buff.
• clean copper with lemon juice or hot vinegar and salt.
• Chocolate & Coffee Stains mix:
  • 1 teaspoon Vinegar
  • 1 quart cold water
  • sponge on and wipe clean
  • (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

• Use cold water instead of hot water and save 85% of the energy and $ on the washer.
• Usually 5-10% of the electric bills are for using the dryer.
• Wipe windows with newspaper for streak-free clean.
• Sunshine can bleach out stains and is a natural disinfectant.

• Organic food:
  • no pesticides for three years
  • is a safer option for eating
• Organic as an ingredient in a non-food product as in cleaning products:
  • uses carbon-based chemicals
  • VOC - volatile organic compounds
    • release harmful fumes
    • may cause brain damage
    • may cause cancer
  • not necessarily safer for our health or our environment

• The Green Guide, Household Cleaning Supplies - list of good commercial brands and nontoxic cleaning supplies we have in our home
• The Green Guide, Healthier Home Cleaning
• Pagewise, Organic House Cleaning - recipes for every part of the house!
• HGTV, Natural Cleaning Products
• Path To Freedom, Guide to Homemade Cleaners
• Exploring Womanhood, Nontoxic Cleaning
• Caller.com, Granny Knew Best
• Co-op America, Natural Nontoxic Cleaning, 4 steps
• Noise, Nontoxic Cleanup - recipes at the bottom - I included some
• Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely - lots of good recipes and I've included many ideas from this site
• CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes
• CHEC HealtheHouse, Clean with 5 Basic Tools
• Clean Water Guide, Home Safe Home - solutions to many common household problems for which we use toxins (fleas, all purpose cleaners, etc)
• Cleaning with Vinegar, Uses For Vinegar
• How Does Your Favorite Brand Compare?  Check the site to see which chemicals might be in your products.
• Home Products Have Toxic Chemicals, Excite
• Cleaning Products 'Wheezing Link', BBC
• Least Toxic Ideas for Safe Living, An Eclectic Franciscan Site
• Natural Cleaning Recipes, Bastyr Center for Natural Health