'GREEN CLEANING'
The germ theory of disease
is alive and well in this country, where Americans use 25 percent of the worlds
production of household cleaners costing some $25 billion a year. Of course the
idea about all this cleaning is the more we destroy harmful viruses, bacteria,
parasites and other pathogens the safer we are.
Not necessarily true say
public health officials. Studies show that more than 150 chemical cleaners
found under your kitchen sink are linked to birth defects, cancer and
psychological disorders. They also trigger allergic reactions, asthma, irritate
the eyes and throat and can cause chemical sensitivities to say nothing of the
fact that they pollute the environment
and cause mutation in the germ survivors leading to strains of
antibiotic resistant super bugs.
Too clean can mean less
healthily developed immunity for our children. Bacteria and viruses are needed
to challenge and strengthen an infant's immune defenses. The New England
Journal of Medicine sites that some infection in childhood protect against the
development of asthma and allergies later in childhood.
Back to the basics:
Stop using antibacterial
products for dishes and hand washing. Studies show that to safely clean and
kill bacteria the most important part of cleaning, dish washing and hand
washing is soap, friction and warm to hot water. Antibacterial products do not
kill all the bacteria. These products when over used on the skin disrupt the
natural flora of bacteria on the skin leaving it dry and vulnerable to
cracking, open sores and eczema.
Two of the most popular
natural cleaning agents are baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar by itself cuts
grease, dissolves calcium and lime deposits in coffee pots and on bathroom
fixtures, and cleans and sanitizes cutting boards, counter tips and other
kitchen surfaces. Microwave your wet sponges and dish cloths frequently.
Vinegar is good in the
laundry replacing stain removers and fabric softener-the odor dissipates
quickly leaving your laundry smelling very fresh. Add baking soda to vinegar
for grimier surfaces. The cleansing powder effect will not scratch finished
surfaces. For tougher sink and toilet bowl stains mix borax and lemon juice
into a paste and apply to stained surfaces.
Orange oil products or
beeswax makes good furniture polish without petroleum distillates, phenols and
other potentially dangerous neurotoxins. The newer electrostatic dusters for
floors and other surfaces grab dust and clean non-wood surfaces without
chemicals.
Tea Tree Oil is another
wonderful all round cleaner for disinfecting the kitchen and bathroom. Mix 15
drops per quart of water. Have some left over? Use the remaining mixture in the
basement or attic to deter pests like squirrels and mice. They hate the smell.
It also works to deter cock roaches, crickets and moths.
A clean well maintained
air purifier will keep the air in your home cleaner and less polluted with
illness causing pathogens and they are a better choice than products that
contain artificial fragrances and irritating chemicals. A humidifier in winter
keeps nasal passages healthy and less vulnerable to invasion.
For more on cleaning
alternatives check out this web site www.ci.dover.nh.us/community/environmetal/alternat.htm.
Till next time, Rebecca