Old Fashioned Cleaners Safer than "Green" Ones

My husband brought me home the "First" Magazine from the news stand at the grocery store last night. As I was reading through it, they offer some good things I thought I would share with you.

Sales of environmentally friendly household cleaners jumped by 23 percent last year, in part because savvy women caught wind of health threats associated with conventional cleaning products. But now experts caution that even supposedly nontoxic cleaners can cause trouble. "The use of terms such as 'eco-friendly,' 'green' and 'natural' on product labels is not regulated by law, so products that sound safe can harbor chemicals, known to trigger headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, fatigue and more," explains naturopathic physician Holly Lucille, N.D., head of Healing From Within Healthcare in Los Angeles. "In fact, a 'green' cleaner sold in stores today could be the same conventional cleaner that was sold last year-the only difference being a new, seductively worded label."

That's worrisome news since research already shows that harsh chemicals in traditional air fresheners, furniture polishes, glass cleaners and all-purpose cleaners can cause damage nerve function, disrupt hormone levels and may even raise the risk of cancer and other serious diseases. Fortunately, these simple, natural homemade cleaners make it easy to slash exposure and sail through spring-cleaning symptom-free.

For countertops, sinks and tubs: Baking Soda

The gently abrasive particles in baking soda make this kitchen staple an excellent non-scratch scouring agent for kitchen counters, sinks and other frequently sullied surfaces, says cleaning expert Debra Lynn Dadd, author of "Home Safe Home" (Tarcher). Plus, baking soda's alkaline action quickly neutralizes the acidity of odor-causing molecules to eliminate sour smells. To deodorize the air, place open containers of baking soda in smelly areas (like behind the toilet). To scrub away grime, Dadd advises sprinkling baking soda directly on surfaces and rubbing with a damp sponge.

For glass: White Vinegar

"The simple combination of white vinegar and water is better at cleaning glass than anything else I've tried," reports Dr. Lucille. That's because the acetic acid in vinegar cuts through smudgy buildup (like oil) yet evaporates quickly to leave no visible residue. Just fill an empty spray bottle with 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water, then use as you would your usual glass cleaner.

For wood furniture: Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

A mixture of 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice and 2 Tbsp. of olive oil yields a wipe-on, wipe-off polish that leaves wood furniture gleaming. "The citric acid in the juice cuts through buildup and helps the oil penetrate the wood, hydrating it to bring out its natural glow," explains Dadd. Lemon juice is also great at degreasing kitchen cabinets, she adds. To do: Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to 1 qt. of hot water, then rub on wood surfaces.

For stubborn jobs: Borax

When combined with water, borax (sodium borate) forms a mild hydrogen peroxide solution that kills germs and cuts through even the nastiest gunk. "I use borax for all my tough jobs, like cleaning the floor around the cat box," reveals Dr. Lucille. Her go-to recipe: Dissolve 1/4 cup of borax (like 20 Mule Team Borax, $6 for 76 oz., at amazon.com) in 1 qt. of hot water, then transfer the needed amount to a spray bottle. Wipe off any residue with a damp cloth.

Source: April 20, 2009 First Magazine (on your news stands)