A Mother's Shade of Green: Cleaning House, The Eco Friendly Way

The weather is warming up, the leaves on the trees are budding, and hints of green are sprouting up from the ground—signs of spring are showing up everywhere here in Birmingham. Spring’s arrival means the luxury of getting to spend a lot more time outdoors (making most of us giddy), but it also means beginning the (dreaded) task of spring cleaning. As moms, we often wage war every day against germs and bacteria, pledging to destroy even the smallest amount that lurks in the path of our children. Yet frighteningly enough many parents are unaware of the significant health impacts caused by the chemicals found in the household cleaners we use every day. In fact, many of these chemicals are some of the leading contributors of our children’s illnesses and immune deficiencies.

Stop for a moment to consider all of the cleaning products you have stashed in your home. Think about the products under your kitchen sink, in the laundry room, the bathrooms, and even in the garage. Kind of mind boggling, isn’t it? We use these chemical-laden products to clean the floors, counters, clothes, dishes, and strangely, even the air! Most of the conventional cleaning products we all grew up with are petroleum-based which has been proven to create immeasurable consequential effects upon our health and environment. Switching to all natural cleaning products and methods will not only keep your house clean and fresh-smelling, but also greatly reduces the presence of dangerous toxins in your home.  According to the non-profit organization, Healthy Child Healthy World, even the most common household chemicals like chlorine bleach, can have extremely damaging effects on human health. As a potent irritant to the human eye, skin, and respiratory system, bleach is a highly corrosive chemical and can cause permanent damage to human tissue.

As these and other further implications are more thoroughly understood, more and more companies are now producing greater quantities of eco-friendly cleaners. In fact, many stores carry these healthy, green cleaning products right alongside conventional cleaners, making their presence all the more familiar to consumers. The majority of these green products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum) and are still just as effective. Yet when purchasing these products, be sure to read labels and do a little research on your own—many of them claim to be made from all natural ingredients, but also contain other components that may have harmful side effects.

Despite the growing variety and availability of natural cleaning products on the market, home-mixed cleaners can also get the job done just as well. In addition, their cost effectiveness tends to be very appealing. For example, vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean almost anything. Simply combine a little warm water with either of these and you’ve got yourself an all-purpose cleaner.

• For a soft scrub—perfect for cleaning the kitchen sink—mix together baking soda and liquid soap until you form a thick, yet paste like consistency. Make only as much as you need however, as it tends to dry up quickly.

• For furniture and other wood surfaces, simply dust with a damp cloth. For added shine and protection, combine 1 teaspoon olive oil per 1/2 cup vinegar, and apply with a dry soft cloth.

• For windows, Healthy Child, Healthy World recommends mixing 3 tablespoons vinegar per 1 quart water in a spray bottle. For heavier grime, reduce the water to 2 cups and add 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, shake well. In addition, to achieve the best streak-free windows use newspaper instead of paper towels.

Investing in cleaning tools such as microfiber cloths and hand held steam cleaners are also effective green cleaning concepts that can further reduce a need for cleaning products.

About Kate:

Kate, a freelance writer and mother of two, most often finds creative inspiration in writing, but occasionally at the bottom of an empty wine glass. She has hijacked her family’s former lifestyle and is in the midst of creating a simpler and greener approach to life. To follow her family’s challenges and successes in this endeavor, visit her blog, at Kate’s Musings. She and her family have lived in Birmingham since 2009.