The germ theory of disease is alive and
well in this country, where Americans use 25 percent of the worldŐs 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 infantŐs immune defenses. The New England
Journal of Medicine sites that some infection in childhood protects 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 cockroaches, 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
9/20/07