And the Green Fun Continues…

By, Alisha Baker

It doesn’t stop with green cleaners…

No, it’s not all about using green cleaning products to help our environment there are actually really fun and interesting ways you can green proof your home. Everything from the cooking supplies you use to the activities you spend your extra time doing… the green possibilities are endless. 

Here is a list of ideas provided by the Environmental Working Group on how to make your home and a whole “greener”

1. Use cast iron pans instead of nonstick. Read about Teflon health concerns.

2. To avoid chemicals leaching into food, go easy on processed, canned or fast foods and never microwave plastic. Read about Bisphenol A, a toxic food-can lining ingredient associated with birth defects.

3. Buy organic, or eat vegetables and fruit from the "Clean 15" list. Find out more about the "Dirty Dozen."

4. Pregnant women should use iodized salt to combat chemical interference from the thyroid. Read about rocket fuel's effect on the thyroid.

5. Seal outdoor wooden structures. Order a test kit to find out if your wooden deck, picnic table, or playset is leaching arsenic.

6 .Leave your shoes at the door. This cuts down on dust-bound pollutants in the home.

7.Avoid perfume, cologne and products with added fragrance. Search for personal care products that are fragrance-free, or check the products you're already using.

8.Buy products with natural fibers, like cotton and wool, that are naturally fire resistant. Use our list of products and manufacturers to avoid the chemical flame retardant PBDE.

9.Eat low-mercury fish like tilapia & pollock, rather than high-mercury choices like tuna & swordfish. Check our Safe Fish List to see which fish to avoid and what's safe to eat.

10.Filter your water for drinking and cooking. How does your tap water stack up? Search our tap water database to see what you're drinking.

11.Learn your personal body burden. Take a step-by-step tour of your home to learn the toxic truth about how household products contribute to your body burden of industrial chemicals.

And it just keeps getting better…

That list contains information we should all know, who would have thought that our homes have the power to be so green. These tips along with the green cleaner tips through out our website and blog contain helpful tips and hints on ways to clean greener and live a greener lifestyle. These helpful tools only benefit you so check them out and enjoy our site and blogs!

Here are some more fun articles and tips on how to live a greener lifestyle

http://www.ewg.org/solutions?tag=2012SolutionsAd&gclid=COzGhvC88bECFcNrKgodyyMAIw 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/166042-fun-ways-to-go-green/

http://www.color-coded.net/blog/2010/06/fun-ways-to-go-green-at-home/

http://cltampa.com/tampa/100-ways-to-go-green-right-now/Content?oid=2030643#.UC-1rebziH8

Reference

http://www.ewg.org/solutions?tag=2012SolutionsAd&gclid=COzGhvC88bECFcNrKgodyyMAIw

So what is really in these so-called “green” products anyway?

By, Alisha Baker

From one Skeptic to the next...

Yes, it’s good to research and be skeptical about all this greenwashing we’re supporting but the fact of the matter is, they really are natural and they really will help you and our environment!

What’s great about these green products?

Every natural ingrdient is described and explained… From where it comes from to what it does companies like Green Works aren’t trying to hide anything, they want you to know what you’re using to clean your home.

Check it out…

Here is a list of ingredients provided by the Green Works website used in Green Works cleaning products and what they do

alkyl polyglucoside

The top-secret cleaning ingredient inside our products? Believe it or not, it comes from plants. This plant-based cleaning agent is great at dissolving and removing dirt, oil and grease. all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, cleaning wipes, dishwashing liquid, glass cleaner, glass & surface cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergent

boric acid

This natural mineral compound works to stabilize the natural cleaning enzymes that break down protein-based stains, such as grass, blood and chocolate. The result? Cleaner clothes done naturally. laundry detergent

calcium chloride

This mineral-based ingredient stabilizes natural cleaning enzymes and prevents them from breaking down. laundry detergent

citric acid

Ever wonder why hard water doesn’t lather well? It’s the minerals! This corn-based ingredient reduces minerals to soften hard water and help our natural cleaning ingredients work harder. dishwashing liquid, toilet bowl cleaner, bathroom cleaner, cleaning wipes

colorant

Like any natural ingredient, natural dyes do have a shelf life. That’s why we add a very small amount of synthetic colorant (less than 0.1%) to our products for a bit of color. all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing liquid, toilet bowl cleaner, glass cleaner, laundry detergent

enzymes

Grass, food, blood? No problem! The natural soil remover in our laundry products attacks protein-and starch-based stains to get your clothes fresh and stain-free — naturally! laundry detergent

ethanol

Streaks begone! This corn-based alcohol allows our products to dry quickly for a streak-free shine. all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing liquid, cleaning wipes, glass & surface cleaner, glass cleaner

fragrance with essential oils

Natural fragrances can go bad over time, which is why our products contain synthetic fragrances with oils extracted from plants that leave behind a clean, fresh scent. all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, chlorine-free bleach, cleaning wipes, dishwashing liquid, glass cleaner, glass & surface cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergent

glycerine

This plant-based ingredient prevents streaking and ensures that our products are effective even when the temperature drops. cleaning wipes, glass & surface cleaner, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid

hydrogen peroxide

Meet nature’s stain remover! This oxygen-based bleaching agent is like a water molecule plus an extra oxygen atom. It does not contain chlorine bleach and is safe for use on colored fabrics. chlorine-free bleach

lactic acid

The main culprit behind those pesky rings in your toilet bowl? Hard water. This corn-based compound softens hard water, which helps our cleaning ingredients work more effectively for a toilet that’s absolutely spotless. toilet bowl cleaner

lauramine oxide

This plant-based cleaning ingredient dissolves and removes dirt, oil and grease — and produces rich suds for sparkling-clean dishes. dishwashing liquid

oleic acid

This plant-based cleaning ingredient prevents excessive foaming, which is what makes our laundry detergent great for high-efficiency (HE) washing machines. Remember: just a little can go a long way! laundry detergent

potassium carbonate

This mineral-based ingredient increases the pH levels in our products for improved cleaning performance. all-purpose cleaner

potassium citrate

Because natural cleaning ingredients can degrade over time, we use this plant-based buffer to balance pH levels and prevent our stain-fighting ingredients from breaking down. all-purpose cleaner

preservative

Like anything that’s natural, the natural cleaning ingredients in our products can go bad over time. That’s why we add a small amount of preservative (less than 0.5%) to keep our products fresh and effective. all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing liquid, cleaning wipes, laundry detergent

silicone antifoaming agent

Bubbles are great when you’re doing the dishes, but not so helpful when you’re pretreating a stain or wiping up a sticky spill. That’s why a couple of our products contain an antifoaming agent that prevents streaks and unwanted residue. cleaning wipes

sodium carbonate

This mineral-based ingredient (known in the olden days as washing soda) softens hard water, which helps our cleaning ingredients work even harder. glass & surface cleaner, glass cleaner, oxi stain remover

sodium chloride

So what is sodium chloride? It’s just a fancy name for table salt! It prevents cleaning ingredients from breaking down and increases the viscosity (or thickness) of our dishwashing liquid. dishwashing liquid

sodium gluconate

Because natural cleaning ingredients can degrade over time, we use this corn-based buffer to balance pH levels and prevent our stain-fighting ingredients from breaking down. laundry detergent

sodium hydroxide

This mineral-based ingredient increases the pH levels in our products for improved cleaning performance. glass cleaner, laundry detergent

sodium lauryl sulfate

Derived from plants, this powerful cleaning ingredient works to dissolve and remove dirt, oil and grease. dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent

sodium octyl sulfate

This plant-based cleaning ingredient helps dissolve and remove dirt, oil and grease. glass cleaner, laundry detergent

sodium percarbonate

This oxygen-based bleaching agent releases hydrogen peroxide as it dissolves in water. This makes it tough on dirt and stains and easy on colors*.

*When used as directed.

oxi stain remover

substrate

Our cleaning wipes are made from 100% wood-based fibers, which is also what makes them compostable. Just throw them in the green bin when you’re done! cleaning wipes

xanthan gum

This plant-based thickener increases product viscosity, which means that our toilet bowl cleaner will cling to stains instead of running down the sides. toilet

bowl cleaner

Now That You Know…

As you can see green advocates aren’t hiding anything they just want your household to contain natural products enabling YOU to live a healthier and happier life.

To check out more ingredients and reasons why you should switch out those toxic cleaners for green ones check out the Green Works website! 

http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/

Reference

http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/products/ingredients/  

What is really in your cleaning products…?

 By, Alisha Baker

We all do it…

We all do it, buy what cleaning supplies are cheapest with the mindset that all cleaning products are made of the same ingredients. But what you don’t know is that this is NOT the case… Household cleaning products we put under the sinks and in the cupboards in reach of children and pets are filled with chemicals most of us can’t even pronounce. 

What it means to be natural

All Green Works are made of 95-99% natural ingredients, which come straight from our very own mother nature. I know what you’re thinking… what about the other 1% and 5%? Well like any fruit or vegetable in your home now natural products go bad so Green Works use preservatives to make the product last and make your money stretch further.

Why fill your home with cleaners filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce which, most likely means aren’t good for you use of ingest in your body. No need to stress about what products you can buy to get rid of those not-so-natural cleaners Green Works cleaning products has everything you’ll need to go natural. Green Works describes their natural home care products posses 4 things 1) contain natural ingredients 2) avoid any ingredients with suspected human health risks 3) use no animal testing, and 4) use biodegradable ingredients along with environmental sustainable packaging.

I know what you’re thinking…

Green cleaning products are more expensive than the products I normally buy…why is that? Well, like any good thing it costs a little more to make it! Unfortunately, the stuff that’s good for like the natural ingredients in green cleaners are more expensive to produce. All in all buying green cleaning products like the ones Green Works provide is not only a healthier alternative for our environment but also healthier for the consumer, YOU!

To find out more check out the Green Work’s website

http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/products/faq/

Reference

http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/products/faq/

Avoiding Harmful Effects to Your Health from Cleaning Supplies

            There is no doubt that it is important to both our health and psyche to keep our surroundings clean. It is important to be able to kill harmful fungal spores and bacteria that can make us sick and to clean up spills that can allow insects and other animals to reproduce. Due to this, some companies have spent years convincing us that we need their products in order to stay healthy. The harsh reality is that we don’t need their products to keep a clean house (baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are all very effective cleaners) and their products are actually very harmful to our health. For example, mixing baking soda and vinegar produces water, carbon dioxide, and a tasty salt called sodium acetate (a key component of salt and vinegar chips), while mixing bleach and ammonia produces a very toxic gas known as chloramine. Even some of today’s green products can be harmful to your health, so it is important to tread carefully when picking out cleaning products. Should you still choose to use “regular” cleaning supplies instead of switching to baking soda and vinegar, know that there are some things you can do to avoid their harmful effects.

           The main thing to do to avoid harm to your health is to make sure that you NEVER mix cleaning products together to get a “better clean.” First of all, this will not give you a better clean, and secondly could produce some very dangerous chemicals.

Also, it is important to make the area you are working in as well ventilated as possible. This means doing things like, keeping the bathroom door open and the fan on when you clean the bathroom, and keeping windows and doors open to create a cross breeze when possible. Remember that when things are warmer they volatilize more, meaning more of the chemicals can enter your body through your lungs.

If ventilation is not an option consider getting a filter respirator. They may look funny, but they do a very good job of keeping noxious gasses out of your lungs.

Always wear gloves when handling cleaning supplies as they are designed to break down organic matter (which you yourself are composed of). In addition to this it is also a good idea to wear goggles to avoid getting chemicals in your eyes. If you were to get any cleaning chemicals on your body you should wash them off with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Should you get them in your eyes, wash your eyes with water for 15 minutes and then consult a poison control center. Should you swallow some chemicals call the poison control center IMEDIATELY!

In addition to this it is important to make sure that you do not spray any cleaning products around your food because small amounts of the products will get on the food.

In the end however, the best way to make sure that you are not harmed by the cleaning supplies you use is to really make sure you know what chemicals you are using and to try to use safe alternatives rather than those dodgy products with multi-million dollar marketing campaigns that don’t even have to list their ingredients on the labels.

Works Cited:

"Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals." Lung.org. American Lung Association, n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2012. <http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/cleaning-supplies.html>.

"Why You Shouldn't Mix Bleach and Ammonia - Bleach and Ammonia Chemical Reactions." About.com Chemistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2012. <http://chemistry.about.com/b/2010/08/20/why-you-shouldnt-mix-bleach-and-ammonia-bleach-and-ammonia-chemical-reactions.htm>.

"Google." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2012. <http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHFA_enUS487US489>.

Go Green!

Go Green!

Over the past couple of years there has been the “green movement.” It has become fashionable to be environmentally safe and friendly, there is no exception when it comes to cleaning supplies. What is green cleaning you might ask, green cleaning is cleaning that is done with organic cleaning products. These products are toxin free and do not contain harmful chemicals that many popular commercial products do. Companies that market and product green cleaning products are even held too much higher standards than what is required by both state and federal regulations.

There are many benefits and reasons for going green when it comes to cleaning. One of the main reasons is to finally address the vast amount of illnesses that have recently appeared that are the result of constant exposure to some commercially branded cleaning products. In using these products we are not only harming ourselves, but the environment as well. As previously stated there are many benefits to green cleaning. One of the most obvious benefits is the fact that it minimizes, and ideally eliminates toxins in our environment. Using green-cleaning products also protects our health as well.

There are several other ways to go green when it comes to cleaning besides just using environmentally safe cleaning products. The following list provides a list of helpful tips to help you clean green:

1.)  Avoid poor indoor air quality

2.)  Use backing soda as an air freshener and odor remover

3.)  Clean your indoor air naturally, skip the store bought air fresheners

4.)  Throw away your previously used toxic cleaners

5.)  Avoid conventional dry cleaners

6.)  Don’t have time to clean? Hire a green house cleaning service to do it for you

7.)  Leave your shoes outside, don’t bring the filth from the outside world into your green home

Now that you are armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to go green when it comes to cleaning, you have no excuse not to! If you still aren’t sold on the idea, do a little more research, or start gradually you really will see a difference. It is important to consider the future, not only for us but also for those to come.

-Christina Hampson

Works Cited:

"How to Go Green: Cleaning." TreeHugger. Team Tree Hugger, 30 Jan. 2007. Web. 9 Aug. 2012. <http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-cleaning.html>.

"The Benefits of Organic Cleaning Products." The Benefits of Organic Cleaning Products. Global Healing Center, 2012. Web. 10 Aug. 2012. <http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/miscellaneous-health-and-wellness/organic-cleaning-products>.

Simply Not So Green

Although Simple Green is labeled non-toxic it contains a very harmful chemical called 2-butoxyethanol and 92 other chemicals according to DailyFinance.com.  2-butoxyethanol when experimented on lab animals has been found to damage red blood cells.  Among these ninety-two other chemicals two more can be deemed very harmful; acetaldehyde as well as formaldehyde which both are linked to cancer and formaldehyde to asthma.   While no proof can be found that this exact formula has caused damage to the environment, the individual chemicals are known to be destructive.  Another harmful chemical which can be found on California's list of toxic ingredients is ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE which has shown reproductive damage, testicular damage and birth defects.  The label "Simple Green," can be misleading to many consumers who blindly assume that the company is referring to the environmental integrity of the green labeled product.  So it is important that we educate ourselves in knowing what chemicals our cleaners contain and whether or not those chemicals are harmful for our kids, food, green-goods and etc.  

Resources:

http://thegoodhuman.com/2007/07/30/think-simple-green-is-a-good-eco-friendly-cleaner-think-again/

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/06/simple-green-cleaners-critics-say-it-isnt-green/

Dish Soap. Friend or Foe?

By: Christina Hampson

There are many unnecessary ingredients in dish washing soap that don’t need to be there; some of which are even bad for the environment or harmful to people. Regular dish washing soap contains ingredients such as Alkyl Phenoxy Ethanols (APEs), diethanolamine (DEA), lauryl and laureth sulfates, phosphates, and synthetic fragrances. APEs are toxic and suspected to be carcinogenic, and are known skin irritants. DEA is a skin and eye irritant and a suspected carcinogen. Lauryl and laureth sulfates surfactants that can irritate your hands by destroying the protective lipid barrier on your skin. Phosphates become a problem when they create things known as dead zones by washing into streams and rivers, and eventually making it to the ocean feeding algae and bacteria along the way and letting them grow uncontrolled and consume all of the oxygen in the water causing fish and other ocean life to suffocate. Synthetic fragrances are just an unnecessary component that doesn’t need to be added. In addition to these dangerous and environmentally unfriendly ingredients, the way that dish soap is often packaged is not very friendly to the environment either. There is a lot of unnecessary plastic used in making dish soap containers, which not only wastes plastic, but also makes the containers heavier and more environmentally costly to ship around. Luckily there are some very effective environmentally friendly dish soaps available with smart ingredients and good packaging.

Following are some brands of dish soap that you can use instead of the soap you use now to do your part to protect the environment:

• Life tree Dish Soap
• Ecover Dish Soap
• Method Dish Soap
• Seventh Generation Dish Soap
• Bio Pac Dishwashing Liquid
• Satin Sheen Concentrated Dish Washing Liquid

There are some there are some bad ingredients in lots of dish soaps that make them bad for you and bad for the environment. There are however plenty of highly effective earth friendly dish soaps that you can use instead of your normal dish soap.  And remember, a few drops of soap is all it takes.

Works Cited:

Aguirre, Sarah. "Top 6 Environmetally Friendly Dish Soap." About.com Housekeeping. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2012. <http://housekeeping.about.com/od/dishes/tp/environmentdish.htm>.

Conrad, Jamie. "Harmful Chemicals in Dish Soap." EHow. Demand Media, 27 Dec. 2009. Web. 12 Aug. 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5802351_harmful-chemicals-dish-soap.html>.

"Environmental And Green News." Harmful Chemicals To You And The Environment. N.p., 14 Jan. 2007. Web. 12 Aug. 2012. <http://www.infinitehealthresources.com/Store/Resource/Article/85/1/1119.html>.

"Green? Or Clean? With Dishwasher Detergents, That Is the Question." Brave New Leaf. N.p., 24 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Aug. 2012. <http://www.bravenewleaf.com/environment/2008/01/green-or-clean.html>.

"Surfactant." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2012. Web. 12 Aug. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant>.

 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant>.