Cleaners and Laundry Detergent – Non-toxic Versus Chemical

Did you know that many doctors will caution parents on the types of cleaning products used when children are troubled with respiratory problems?

Commercial cleaning products foam, bleach, and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs and countertops gleaming and germ-free, but they are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. Cleaning products can be the most toxic of all items found in the home. “In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six, who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home.” – Organic Consumers Association

Health hazards imposed by cleaning products vary from acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.

There have been studies done comparing children’s hand writing for those exposed to chemical type cleaners and those around natural type cleaners. The studies showed a profound difference in a short time as indicated in the sample papers below.

Did you know there are non-toxic cleaning products available? Green non-toxic cleaning products do not cause the health problems as chemical type cleaners do. People do not realize that polution and health hazards starts right in their own home. Among these hazards are chemicals found in cleaning products. These hazards are greater for children who exchange air at a faster rate than adults.

Ever spray the window washing solution and get a wif of that and notice irritation in your throat? There are effective non-toxic cleaning solutions that you can make yourself. Here is an effective window washing solution as well as general cleaning that we have used may times.

What Can I Do With This Little Sample of Basic H2?

• Windows & mirrors – 2 drops in 16-oz of water in spray bottle.
• All purpose cleaning – 1/4 tsp. In 16 oz of water in spray bottle.
• Wash fruits and vegetables – 1-2 drops in a basin of water.
• Houseplants – 2 drops to a gallon of water & they will flourish.
• Furniture – 6 drops in a 16 oz. spray bottle of water to dust entire house, wiping all furniture.
• Excellent for louvered doors   (Spray on duster, dust louvers or Venetian blinds.
• Washing dishes –  1/2 tsp. in dishpan.  Fill dirty pans with water, let stand to loosen stuck particles.
• Spot remover –  Apply to the spot and use a toothbrush to rub in, then wipe off with damp cloth or rinse.  Good for coffee, lipstick, ink, grass, grease.
• Shoe cleaner – Use 1 drop on a wet cloth.  It will not remove wax.  Shine with dry cloth.
• General cleaner (16 oz) –  A pint bottle makes 48 gallons of general cleaner (1,000 different uses.)

The small sample bottle indicates the concentration and effectiveness of this product.      We hope that this post gives you insight into the hazards that can be present in our own homes and ideas to keep you and your family healthy.

Donnas tip:  We use safe cleaning products that are more effective than the toxic chemical types. And they are very cost effective and concentrated to reduce packging waste.