Even More Reasons to Clean Green!

            This site is packed with information regarding the many reasons to go green and the products you need to do it. The top reasons to clean green are the environmental and health impacts it can create.

            Of course the environmental impacts seem obvious… no chemicals! However, a less obvious impact of the chemically infused cleaners is that the packaging they come in is also a big issue. Greenchoices.org describes why the packaging can create big issues for our environment as well:

“Not only are there innumerable products but they come in a great range of packages. Many products used to come in aerosol cans, containing a propellant gas, often chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which, although non-toxic and chemically inert, were proven to damage the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol set targets for reductions in CFC use and most aerosols now use ‘ozone-friendly’ propellants. But aerosol cans still contain a high proportion of packaging to contents and are not easy to recycle. Many products come in plastic containers, which are light and durable and can be recycled in some areas, but otherwise are very slow to biodegrade. You may be able to buy refills, and buying concentrated products or in bulk also reduces the amount of packaging.”

            The packaging can be damaging to our ozone layer and it also contributes to our overflowing landfills. This in turn affects not only our environment, but also our health! The ozone layer is an important layer of our atmosphere separating us from the harmful rays radiating from the sun.

Still need convincing? Besides these important health factors, the chemicals in cleaning products can create serious health problems as well. As greenchoices.org informs us,

“When consumed or absorbed through the skin, they may have harmful effects, be toxic, cause cancer or cause birth defects.”

In addition, the chemicals in cleaning products can be very damaging to our environment, which, by default, can also lead to health issues. Greenchoices.org notes,

“The major concern is the chemicals which cleaning products contain. There are thousands of chemicals in common use and many have not been tested for safety, though the effects of many are known. They may pollute streams and rivers and may take a long time to degrade into harmless products. Some may not break down at all but may persist in the environment. These may enter the food chain, being eaten by aquatic creatures and perhaps eventually by us.”

             

Some cleaning products are so toxic that action must be taken. Greenchoices.org stated,

“Greenpeace’s ‘Chemical Home’ campaign sought a ban on the use of the most toxic products. Greenpeace identified domestic products that frequently contain chemicals from the European Union list of chemicals “Of Very High Concern”. These may be found in carpets and curtains, toys and televisions, computers, cosmetics and perfumes, but rarely labeled and never seen.”

Luckily, a few breakthroughs have occurred. One example is as greenchoices.org states,

“Detergents are all now biodegradable, though some may break down quicker than others, but they often contain chemicals which may cause problems. Phosphates can cause eutrophication, upsetting the balance of nutrients in rivers and streams, while many products also contain enzymes, bleaches, brighteners and perfumes. People with sensitive skin or allergies may find these substances may aggravate their condition.”

            As you can see, there is still a lot of work to be done to improve our environment and protect our health. By making just one small life change and switching to green cleaners, as Ghandi said, you could “be the change you want to see in the world”.

***Note: The Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has an excel spreadsheet available that alphabetically lists hazardous chemicals and rates how dangerous each chemical is considered. A link to the website is available by clicking here. 

- Aimee Engle

http://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/cleaning/environmental-impacts

Making Your Own Green Cleaning Products

           

As a blog all about green cleaning, we strive to help maintain our environment by eliminating cleaners with all those harsh chemicals. However, many of you may be concerned that even those “green” products aren’t completely chemical free. While most of these products are most likely free of any harmful chemicals, the EPA does not require that these companies list every last ingredient on their cleaners. So what is the best way to ensure that your cleaners are 100% chemical free? The only real answer is to make it yourself!

Before you get too concerned that you will never have time to create a cleaning product in your spare time or find all the ingredients, check out some of these green cleaner recipes that require only a few common kitchen ingredients and an empty spray bottle and only take a couple minutes! Thedailygreen.com website offers these great recipes:

For Porcelain and Tile:

• Baking Soda and Water: Dust surfaces with baking soda, then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.

• Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Got stains, mildew or grease streaks? Spray or douse with lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.

• Disinfectant: Instead of bleach, make your own disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. It's easy!

2.     For Kitchen Counters:

• Baking Soda and Water: Reclaim counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more.

• Kosher Salt and Water: If you need a tougher abrasive sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge. 

• Natural Disinfectant: To knock out germs without strong products, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on countertops and other kitchen surfaces.

3.     For Windows and Mirrors

·      White Vinegar, Water and Newspaper: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels, which cause streaking.

·      If you're out of vinegar or don't like its smell, you can substitute undiluted lemon juice or club soda.

4.     For Rugs and Carpets

·      Beat Those Rugs: Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom.

·      Club Soda: You've probably heard the old adage that club soda works well on carpet stains. But you have to attack the mess right away. Lift off any solids, then liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old rag. The soda's carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining.

·      Cornmeal: For big spills, dump cornmeal on the mess, wait 5 to 15 minutes, and vacuum up the gunk.

·      Spot Cleaner: Make your own by mixing: 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, then rinse with vinegar.

·      To Deodorize: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.

5.     For Wood Floors

·      Vinegar: Whip up a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 30 ounces of warm water. Put in a recycled spray bottle, then spray on a cotton rag or towel until lightly damp. Then mop your floors, scrubbing away any grime.

6.     For Oven Cleaning

·      Baking Soda and Water: Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make spotless with a moist cloth.

7.     For Clogged Drains

·      Baking Soda and Boiling Water: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that isn't doing it for you, chase the baking soda with a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the gunk. Then flush that with one gallon of boiling water.

8.     For Antique Linens

·      Sunlight: What could be easier than sanitizing and removing stains... with sunlight! (Just don't do it too often with fragile pieces, because they can start to break down). Simply lay your old lace, curtains and other fine linens on the grass in the sun for a few hours. Dirtier pieces can be dampened first.

·      Boiling: If that doesn't do the trick, fill a pot with water and bring to a boil on your stovetop. Drop in linens and let steep until stains lift.

·      Detergent and Borax: Mix dishwasher detergent and borax together until you get a thick rubbing paste. Rub into soiled linens, then rinse clean.

·      Peroxide: If you have stubborn stains, try spraying them with peroxide, then rinsing with water.

9.     For Silverware

·      Silver


o   Aluminum Foil, Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Salt: Keep your sterling shined with this seemingly magic method. Line your sink or a bucket with aluminum foil, and drop in tarnished silver. Pour in boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let sit for a few minutes. The tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil. 


o   Toothpaste: If you can't immerse your items or are otherwise inclined to polish by hand, rub tarnished silver with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry. Instead of toothpaste you can substitute a concoction made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.

·      Copper

o   
Ketchup: To keep your copper pots, pans and accents looking bright and shiny, try rubbing with ketchup.

With these simple recipes, you can create a cleaner for any job. The products used are kitchen and household staples, making them even more accessible and even cheaper than the chemically infused alternatives. Creating a cleaner for your household cleaning tasks is even easier than you might think and by using these recipes you can achieve a clean home without breaking the budget and help to keep our environment clean on top of all the other benefits they offer!

-Aimee Engle

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303

THE REVOLUTION OF GREENCLEAN

 By, Alisha Baker

 

Let’s face it, whether we are at work, in the car, or outside on a run we are all exposed to thousands of chemicals and toxins daily. As 5 o’clock approaches and its time to go home the last thing one any individuals mind is cleaning or ‘green’ cleaning for that matter. For those who simply don’t have the time to green clean their home there is a solution that will leave them almost toxin free.

Benefits of Green Cleaning

After a hard days work and long day of being exposed to harmful chemicals and toxins that not only affect our health but our planet, every person should be able to come home to a clean home with a ‘green’ clean makeover. More and more housecleaning businesses are taking a greener approach when it comes to deep cleaning the homes of those busy yet eco-conscious individuals.

Cleaning Green

Companies like Green CleaningSeattle use products that are non-toxic and eco-friendly to ensure each household is being cleaned with only green products. Not only do they use a more natural cleaner approach they also recycle, reuse spray bottles, and energy star approved vacuums. Often times green home cleaning services will use products like seventh generation while cleaning which contain ingredients derived from plants and fragrances from botanical oils extracts. 

Now you know… What’s the next step?

If you are one of the many who simply don’t have time to green clean your home on your own but care about the health of your home and our planet check with local house cleaning services to see if they are ‘cleaning green.’ You’re a step away from a cleaner and greener home.

References

Seventh Generation 2012

 http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

  Cleaning Services SBDCNET

http://www.sbdcnet.org/small-business-research-reports/commercial-residential-cleaning-services

Green Cleaning Seattle

http://www.greencleaningseattle.com/GreenCleaningSeattleFAQ.html

Spring Cleaning in September?!

It’s summertime and we all love the sunshine and fresh air pouring through our windows. Most of us have already done our spring cleaning in April or May, but as fall sets in and the last of the sunlight glides through our homes, we realize that more dust and pollen has somehow managed to cover the surfaces again. We’ve also somehow lost control of the clutter as beach towels, buckets, shovels, tea pitchers and fourth of July flags have managed to sneak in a create a mess. As you prepare to give your home it’s final cleanse before you close up the shutters for fall and winter and begin to bring in decorations for the coming holiday season, here are some tips to stay green as you “spring clean” one final time this year.

            Treehugger.com offers a variety of information regarding green spring-cleaning including these top tips to get you started:

1. "Reduce: The first step to fighting messes and keeping your home spic-and-span is getting rid of all that stuff you never use. Go through all the places where it accumulates--try closets, junk drawers, out-of-reach shelves, attics and basements, and any other place where you're inclined to toss stuff as you say, "I'll deal with this later" and be diligent about-- separating out what you really will use someday from what you never will. Be honest: you may say you like that sweater your aunt gave you for Christmas in 2004, but if it still has the tags on it, you aren't ever going to wear it. And be practical: do you really need that quesadilla maker? We're not suggesting that you trim down to an uber-minimalist lifestyle, but the quickest way to cut your cleaning time is to simply have less stuff to clean.
2. Reuse:  Now you have a pile that you're ready to get rid of--but wait: don't just trash it. First, go through and see if any of those items could serve a purpose you haven't thought of before: Do you have enough to stack up and use as a side table? Can you take the frames off those ugly paintings and use them elsewhere? We know of ways to reuse everything from and broken to holiday and --so while we aren't suggesting you keep all this around just in case, see if any of what you have can save you from buying something else.
3.  Donate: Once you've taken stock of what you can use, separate out items that someone else might need. This includes dishes, kitchen gadgets, clothes, books, magazines, toys, home decor--all of these items could find a second life with someone else. If you need instant gratification, just drop it all off at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army; if you're slightly more patient, try offering items for sale or barter on Craigslist, turning your goods over to an artist, donating through Freecycle, or seeing what you can get for that collection of comic books on eBay. Your house will be less cluttered; someone else can skip buying new; and the landfills will be that much emptier.
4. Recycle: Once you've exhausted all the other options, it's time to hit the recycling bucket. Of course you're already recycling newspapers, magazines, and any glass that isn't salvageable, but take a second look at the rest of your trash, too: did you clean out the fridge? Find a compost pile. Get rid of old electronics, from cell phones to VCRs to ancient computers, by passing them off to retailers with a recycling program or to a specialized electronics recycling company. Check anything plastic to make sure it's recyclable, and make sure to safely dispose of anything that's not recyclable or trash-friendly, like old paint or batteries.
5.  Get the right home organization tools: Now that you've managed to weed out the useless from the useful, you need to find a system for organizing what you've got left--because if you can't find something when you need it, you'd might as well not have it at all. For this, you'll need storage containers, but that doesn't mean you need to stock up on (non biodegradable) plastic bins; instead, try cardboard boxes wrapped in pretty paper, bamboo baskets, or cloth bags made from old t-shirts. Raise your storage with eco-friendly shelving to free up floorspace and make your rooms look bigger. And note: if, while you're organizing, you find items that don't seem to fit with anything else, those are likely goods you could add to the "donate" pile.
6.  Make your own household cleaning supplies: Buying eco-friendly cleaning supplies is a good start, but for a truly green clean, make your own cleaners. You'll bypass the resources that go into production, shipping, and purchasing--from making that plastic spray bottle to getting the product to your local supermarket--and you'll save a ton of money. Most of your home can be cleaned with recipes that are a combination of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda or washing soda; add a few drops of essential oil for scent if you prefer. Since you're only making what you need as you need it, you're cutting back on waste, and you won't have any worries about what kind of toxins you may be spraying around your kids and pets.
7. Aim for a no-waste clean: No matter how green your sprays and scrubs may be, if you use an entire roll of paper towels to scrub your bathroom--well, that is not exactly eco-friendly cleaning. And when you're looking at a project as big as this one, you'll want to leave little to no waste in your wake. Trade paper towels for reusable microfiber cloths or sponges, and ditch the Swiffer sweeper for a broom (preferably one you already have, of course) or the disposable mop for a reusable one.
8. Choose natural cleaning for big projects: Sure, you vacuum, dust, and wipe the counters on a daily or weekly basis, but spring is the perfect time to focus on the spaces you generally gloss over--by vacuuming out the refrigerator coils to make the appliance more efficient, deep-cleaning your carpet, and washing your drapes. For the carpet, mix borax and essential oil together, sprinkle over the rug, let it sit, and then vacuum; for curtains and drapes that are machine washable, use an eco-friendly detergent. If they're not up to going in the washer, find an eco-friendly dry cleaner in your area and drop them off there.
9.  Go paperless: This is one we've mentioned before--it's a great way to green your home office--but your annual spring cleaning is a perfect reminder to make sure you aren't overwhelmed by junk mail. Using a service like GreenDimes or 41 pounds, stem the tide of incoming junk mail; then set up your bank account for online billing and payments to cut back on waste. You'll have fewer papers to file and keep track of, plus fewer forests will be decimated just for another J. Crew catalog. And as your magazine subscriptions expire, see if you can read online instead to keep your living space even more clutter-free.
10. Plan ahead: If you keep these tips in mind all year, then your 2012 spring cleaning will be that much easier. Don't let stuff accumulate in your home; don't buy things you don't need; and don't be shy about returning gifts you won't ever use. Take advantage of the seasons to edit your collections and donate or sell goods--you might get more at a consignment shop for a winter coat in the fall then in the spring, and your yard sale of extra housewares may do better in late summer if you can catch the back-to-college crowd. Thinking green throughout all areas of your life--from your office to your wardrobe to your home electronics--will put you ahead of the game come next spring."

      Along with these great tips from treehugger.com, it is important to remember why green cleaning is so important. The supplies we use to accomplish a deep clean may look like they do the job on the surface, but what’s hard to see are the potentially toxic antibacterial chemicals they are made of. For example, treehugger.com notes that these cleaners, “while safe in small amounts, could have unknown long-term side effects--like phthalaltes, which help products hold onto fragrances, but may cause birth defects; volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which lower indoor air quality and can be connected to respiratory problems; phosphates, which break down dirt but can also affect algae when they enter the water supply; petrochemicals, or petroleum-based by-products that have been linked to cancer; and chlorine bleach, which disinfects but can cause serious health problems.”

     There are many common kitchen items that can easily be substituted for these chemically infused cleaning products that get the job done just as well such as vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. And what’s even better – these items are much cheaper! These items can also be combined to create your own in-home cleaners. However, if you don’t consider yourself the crafty type or are still a little wary of the quality of these products, you can purchase green cleaning supplies. Treehugger.com offers the following as suggestions for where to buy spring cleaning supplies: “Cleaning Products, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Method, Clorox Green Works Cloths, Pads, and Towels, Mystic Maid Reusable Cleaning Cloths, Eco-Cloth, E-Cloth, Home Organization Shelves and Storage, Target, Velocity, Plushpod2.”

           

     And there you have it! Green cleaning is easy and the supplies are inexpensive and highly accessible! Now all you have to do is get started!

-Aimee Engle

http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-spring-cleaning.html

Personal Hygiene For Your Health.

Growing up we have always heard the importance of washing our hands. Personal hygiene is important. We all want to smell good and look good! However recently it has been discovered that some of the personal hygiene products we use have a negative effect on our body. Studies have shown that a chemical called triclosan, which is found in hand soap, shaving cream deodorant and other hygiene products actually weakens the body’s muscles.

Triclosan deposits on the hands after a wash with anti-bacterial soup.
This toxin is absorbed through the skin into your body.

So what is triclosan? In short triclosan is a pesticide and it is not only in our hygiene products. It can be found in the clothes we wear, bedding, toys, and even garbage bags. But how can something so toxic be is some many things, we ask? Well it is rather unfortunate but the Toxic Substances Control Act is basically a voluntary testing method. So the responsibility is left on the people who make the products and the chemical industries.

The products we use that we heavily rely on are damaging our bodies. Studies have shown that triclosan damages the heart, weakens the skeleton and muscle function. The pesticide disrupts the communication of two proteins that are important to our muscle function. It’s pretty scary to think that there are traces of triclosan in our blood stream, urine, and human breast milk. Is this really worth using these products?

So what do we do now, what’s our health worth? How can we avoid it? Well to start, we can stop the use of anti-bacterial soap. Studies have shown that although these soaps can help kill bacteria, they also create super bacteria’s that result in bacteria’s our body cannot handle or fight off. Thus making our immune systems weak. The best way to go is look for non-toxic personal hygiene products. They are available at our local stores we just take to take that extra step. I have provided some links below with lists of great products, even stuff you can make in your home.  Look good, feel good, and smell good; make the change and protect yourself, because the stuff you may make you look good 

on the outside but hurting you from within.

For a list of non-toxic personal hygiene products check out these links:

http://eclecticarksageadvice.blogspot.com/2011/05/nontoxic-personal-hygiene-recipes.html

http://0801.nccdn.net/1_5/268/258/021/BestBetsList_v2.4.pdf

For more information about the negative effects of triclosan check out these links:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/soap-ingredient-triclosan-linked-muscle-weakness/story?id=16996695#.UCr8QhpkseA

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/08/triclosan-a-chemical-used-in-antibacterial-soaps-is-found-to-impair-muscle-function/?utm_source=smithsoniansciandnat&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201208-science 

http://www.disinfo.com/2012/08/chemical-widely-used-in-antibacterial-hand-soap-damages-heart-skeleton-muscle-function/

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20080903_anti-bacterial/index.html

The sweet taste of phosphoric acid...

Some benefits to usage of phosphates - they soften our water and produce an overgrowth of algae stripping oxygen so plants and animals in our water system can ultimately die. Phosphoric acid is also found in everyones favorite soft drink, Coca-Cola.  Hypothetically speaking, if you were to "lose a tooth," and place it in a glass of Coke within a few days your keratin made tooth would have completely dissolved!  That is because phosphates are extremely harmful to both our water systems and our bodies.  

Sure, most states have banned the sale of products containing phosphates  (which are most commonly found in toilet bowl cleaners and dish washer detergent), but the fact of the matter is that there are many internet sites still selling these products.  Bubble Bandit is one of these products that is readily found via the internet and easily purchased on their website, eBay or Amazon.  Now that we know about the determent of the use of these products, it is important that as consumers we take the time to educate ourselves on the changes we can make to improve the use of our cleaners.

Refrences:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_279.cfm
http://www.jillcataldo.com/bubblebandit

Price Comparison Charts for Toxic, Green, and Home-Made Cleaners

Many of us are convinced that purchasing Green cleaners or making our own at home is much more costly than continuing to buy toxic ones.  After going to a local store and comparing the prices of several different cleaners as well as the cost of ingredients used to make them, it was found that home-made cleaners are in fact much cheaper, followed by green ones.  Changing our daily cleaning routine to more environmentally friendly products not only saves us money right from the get-go, but also at a bigger economic scale, since the cost to eliminate toxic chemicals found in many cleaners from our water and our planet is millions of dollars per year.