Breaking Down Green Cleaning Products
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The word is out and savvy moms are getting tough on conventional cleaners and holding the companies to a higher standard for the safety and health of their families.
I think it’s reasonable to expect that any product that comes face to face with our children be created in a manor that is not potentially harmful. And then there’s the lead toys fiasco - but that’s another story.
I think the thing that alarms me the most, is that we want the best for our kids and we put our trust in these companies to provide us with a quality product. The widespread availability and use of conventional products would naturally indicate that they must be safe for use? Wrong.
It can be really difficult to determine the ingredients in your cleaners while shopping because companies are not required to display in order to protect their blends. Good for them, bad for us and that’s where the waters get muddy.
When I heard that my home environment was potentially the most toxic place for my family I sat up and took notice. Apparently some 81,000 chemicals registered with U.S EPA in the last 30 years and fewer than 20% have been tested for toxicity!
Check out this eye opening video that I saw on CBC a few years back.
Our Health & Our Future
I am optimistic. Families everywhere are choosing to go green by using cleaners that are safe, free of harsh chemicals and biodegradable. Natural ingredients can be just as effective as harsh conventional cleaners but without the negative side effects.
If you are still in the process of switching over, I can understand why. Two objections regularly come up when we mom’s discuss being clean:
- “How effective are green cleaning products?”
- “How much more am I going to have to pay?” You may be surprised at the answer!
Conventional cleaners might be effective in cutting through dirt and grime but they do so at the expense of our health and the environment. We are just beginning to learn about the true cost of regular exposure to toxic, reactive, corrosive, or flammable ingredients in many household products.
Here’s a list of the most common nasty chemicals to be avoided at all costs:
- Ammonia - check your window and glass cleaner, this is a potential lung irritant.
- Antibacterial agents - it is believed that these lead to an increase in “antibiotic resistant” bacteria. Allow the body to be exposed to germs naturally by way of skin exposure and T1 resistance (the first line of defense) will be stimulated. A sterile home does not protect your health.
- Chlorine Bleach - so smelly and a major irritant to skin and lungs, potentially asthmatic.
- Petroleum - known as surfactants in detergents, paraffins in polishes all derived from the “petroleum pollution” industry.
- Phosphates - causes algae to form in water systems which damages marine life.
- Phthalates - do you really love that “clean smell”? Linked to cancer and respiratory diseases in lab animals.
- Nitrobenzene - an agent in polishes, associated with cancer, birth defects and even death.
Not only do ingredients like these and the hundreds of other potentially toxic ingredients used in mainstream cleaners have the potential to cause physical harm, they do environmental harm as well. Each day millions of pounds of household cleaning products are poured down drains.
Many of these toxic substances are NOT able to be processed adequately by sewage treatment plants or septic systems and contamination of surface and ground water can occur. Fish and other wildlife are negatively impacted.
How can we minimize our exposure to toxics?
- Knowledge is Power No matter what I shop for - I read EVERY label. You can check the safety of the products in your home by visiting the Household Products Database. Reading labels, whether it’s for food or cleaners is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your overall toxic load and stay healthy.
- Take Action Safely dispose of the toxic offenders. I’ve been guilty of hanging onto half used bottles of Xbrand because I’m trying to be thrifty, but now that my daughter is with us, it’s become a black and white issue. Check out Dr Mercola’s recommendations on handling household cleaners.
- Find A Safe Brand/Company There are a growing number of green cleaners available at health food stores and online.
Green cleaners have come along way, and you’ll find that most of the truly green ones are quite effective. I have found that the concentrated cleaners provide the most cleaning power. I’ve used a few of them so let’s break down my favorite green cleaning products:
- Melaleuca $21.99 / 96 loads / 22.9 cents per load. I really like this company for their tea tree medicinal products and gels, however the cleaning products were just too scented for me.
- Ecover / $9.00 / 20 loads / .45 cents per load. Good, but price tag is not competitive enough for me.
- 7th Generation / $8.00 / 16 loads / .50 cents per load. There’s way more bang for buck with a concentrated product and less waste to recycle. Not a good deal.
- Shaklee - $39.95 / 224 med loads / 17.6 cents per load. I watched the Oprah show with Dr. Oz about these products and figured they were worth a try. One cleaning product is so concentrated that it’s almost absurd how little you use. Two drops? But it works. They are the only green cleaning products I use now . They are safe, cost effective, efficient and even stylish. See what Rachael Ray had to say.
The Au Natural Solution
Long before any of these cleaners were on the market, our Grandmothers used the most natural products of all. Here are a few great cleaning agents for making your own green cleaning products:
- Vinegar is a natural all purpose cleaner. It also disinfects and deodorizes. It kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs and viruses.
- Lemons can be used to make your own cleaning pastes when you add baking soda and vinegar. They dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits and they shine brass and copper. Since they smell so divine they can also be used to deodorize. For instance, grinding some lemon peels in the garbage disposal takes care of odors beautifully.
- Vegetable oils can be used as a furniture polish to hydrate and shine your wood furniture.
- Baking Soda is one of the more preferred and versatile natural cleaners. It deodorizes, it scrubs surfaces, and it can be used to make liquid pastes. Add a few drops of essential oil to baking soda and you have a scented toilet and tub scrub.
I hope this gave you a few ideas, and some inspiration to finally rid yourself of those last nasty products that might be lingering in your cupboard.
WIN IT: I’m giving away a 16oz bottle of the BasicH2 Organic from Shaklee. Let me know which area of your house gets neglected and needs the deepest clean! I’ll pick a name randomly and announce the winner on June 15th. Contest open to US & Canadian residents.
Congratulations: Comment #4 Brian E!! You have won yourself some help to clean those tiles! I’ve contacted you by email.
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224 comments
Very interesting site. Would like to hear anything else you have found about Melaleuca products. How long have you used Shaklee?
Without a doubt, my bathroom should get more attention.
How do I enter to win Basic H2 Cleaner? I would love to try it.
I found you on Green and Clean Mom.
The tops of furniture! I hate dusting up there.
bedroom
…it’s a tie: the refrigerator and the shower enclosure…always the last places that gets cleaned at my place.
I hate scrubbing the tile in the bathrooms !!!
The top of the door frames and when they get clean with basic H it keeps then clean longer so I can forget about this hidden place to clean.
Ahhhh, the basic H. Mom used it for everything when we were little.
I’d have to say the walls up my stairs where my son puts his stickies : )
the bathroom, especially the tubs and showers.
By the end of the day I just don’t have time to scrub the floors. They get swept but need mopped more often!
The whole enchilada….uhh….the rather sad looking, moldy enchilada….
Like most…the bathroom!
my basement
My floors and/or the bathrooms! I can’t keep up with these two chores.
my poor desk is the most neglected and needs cleaned the most.
without a doubt my bathroom.
under the beds and bedroom furniture
The laundryroom
toilets, by far…
Kitchen.
I cannot get out the grime from the old linoleum floor in my kitchen, no matter how hard I scrub!
The bathroom is my most neglected area of my apartment.
The most neglected area of my house is the bathroom. We only have one and it seems like someone is ALWAYS in there!!
The bathroom always seems to need a good cleanup!
Ugh, the bathroom!
My bathroom always seems to need cleaning
The kids bathroom.
The kitchen. I see all the time on TV where there’s more bacteria in your sink then in your toilet- That creeps me out!
definitely under the bed!
the bathroom, always the bathroom
I would have to say that the most neglected part of my house is my hubby’s desktop and surrounding area!! This would be great to win and use!
My laundry room is definitely the room that needs the worst cleaning. With everyone always dropping things off in there it is always a mess.
Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
I would LOVE to win !!
Somehow the large hallway between the livingroom where my husband hangs out and the kichen/family room where I hang out has become a great depository for junk of all kinds and an impromptu mud room!
It’d be great to try another green cleaning product. I try to buy green whenever I can these days
I live with 3 boys. Need I say more? My whole house is always in need of a deep cleaning. Thanks for the great contest!
under things bed, coach, and bird cage
The bathroom toilet is the worse. I have a septic tank and so need to clean in such a way that does not kill the good tank bacteria. So I suspect that nastys live up in my section.
My bedroom walls need the most cleaning right now.
My bathroom definitely needs a good, deep cleaning.
My bookcases and books get filled with dust constantly. It takes forever to clean.
My laundry room definitely gets neglected the most.
kitchen fridge
otta be behind the fridge and oven
Well, the laundry room is the most neglected, but the kids’ tub and my shower are the areas in need of the deepest clean. I hate scrubbing tubs.
ceiling fan blades
the bathroom tile.
I haven’t checked under my refrigerator in a while. I am sure it needs a deep clean under there.
definitely the bathroom
the bottom and back of the toilet and the floor back there.
basement
I’d have to say the bathroom.
The top of the fridge.
the floors
My refrigerator is dying to be deep cleaned. I’m almost afraid to look inside when it’s completely empty.
Thanks for the giveaway!
the kitchen gets neglected
The bathrooms are severely neglected!
The kitchen, counters, floor, etc.
Anything tile… shower, floors, ugh. I hate cleaning those tiles.
Right now you could probably pick any spot! I get the basics done, the clutter put away but overall cleaning is needed!
Definetly the bathroom! Tubs and Toilets!
the bathroom
My bedroom gets neglected because I don’t think to clean it.
My bathroom!
I’m never sure my bathroom is clean enough. I just don’t think that is possible.
my office..so much for going paperless!
I think it would be under the fridge and under the stove. They can get pretty ugly.
The problem is…I don’t know. And that’s why its so neglected, because I don’t know about it.
My kitchen floor, I’m really bad about washing it, yuk!
bathroom for sure
The microwave.
The bathroom.
I would have to say the bathroom. Thanks for the contest.
I would have to say that the most neglected part of my house is my bathroom
My bathroom needs the most cleaning!
The area of my home that DESPERATELY needs the deepest clean is the bathroom my 2 daughters use.
The bathroom is the hardest room to keep clean around here.
my bathroom is the room that needs the most, i hate to clean it
Under my kitty litter box… nuff said
Yipes-my husband’s bathroom! Don’t tell him I told you! Second worse of course is my bathroom! Thank you for this giveaway!
the bathroom
The 2nd guest bedroom downstairs (don’t tell the guests!)
I’m puppysitting and he is staying in the master bathroom. It’s going to need a real good cleaning after he goes home.
The insides of my cupboards and closets need deep cleaning.
My celing fans are always forgotten and I dread doing the shower!
My bathroom shower walls are gross. I can’t get the gunk out with anything I try.
My house was built in 1920 and the kitchen has no venting fan. Needless to say, my kitchen is coated with a thin veneer of cooking oil. The room I hate to tackle.
Our loft where all the boy’s hang out…eeww!
My storage room in the basement. I need to reorganize it at least twice a year. I like to disinfect while I clean, but can’t use some cleaning supplies.
The master bathroom. I get to the main bath, just rarer to have time for the other……..
The top of the door frames and when they get clean with basic H it keeps then clean longer so I can forget about this hidden place to clean.
I HATE cleaning the area of the floor around the toilet. Any good cleaner is a good cleaner for me!
¡el baño!
my bathroom
Inside of my fridge needs to be cleaned more. I hope I win. Thanks!
I would say my garage!
The refrigerator
My entire upstairs bathroom could use a deep clean with this
The basement. I’m just too tired and no one ever sees it anyway.
bathroom in the basement
The TV room gets neglected (now that I have a laptop and I am in the living room most of the time now). It needs to be dusted and just general upkeep.
yuck… behind the refrigerator. The shower enclosure is a close runnerup.
gkstratos @yahoo.com
Under my clawfoot bathtub is grimy!! Only the kitties dare to venture into that area lol.
Its a toss between the refrigerator and basement
Gosh, def the laundry room, haha, there’s so much lint/dust in there!
The bathroom and the refrigerator definitely…thanks for a great contest!
Anything in the area of the laundry room usually is in need of a good scrubbing!
Our bathroom floors are an ongoing battle, as our daughter is being potty trained! However, I’d say behind and underneath the refrigerator would be my area of greatest neglect.
kitchen needs work
My porch gets alot of neglect. Please enter me, thank you
Great article! My bathrooms don’t get the attention they should and with potty training around the corner, I have to step it up.
I would have to say my oven. The outside is always sparkling, but the inside is too easy to hide.
my 13 year old son’s room :0)
I would have to say, the kitchen. It gets wiped down daily and swept every other day, but it could use a deep cleaning.
The office always seems to get neglected—-and very dusty!!!
With three boys and a big dog…there’s always something to be cleaned, but I’d say the floor wins for most neglected surface.
There’s no 5 second rule here -if it hits the floor, it’s good no more.
Bedroom.
Cat loves it though. Thanks.
It has to be the bathroom.
Kitchen & bathroom floors. I moved to green products recently and I having a hard time finding a good cleaner for my marble floors. They look aweful…
Bathroom!
My bathroom is in the most need of needing a deep clean. Thanks for the giveaway.
I hate, hate, HATE cleaning the shower stall. It needs some TLC (and some new caulk) desperately!
My basement is a total mess.
I’d say that the floors are the worst. We have old hardwoods that need refinishing so it’s hard to tell when they are dirty. We could definitely use this for a deep cleaning, especially before our son starts crawling.
kathleen w.s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
the bathroom
The bathroom tub…it really needs twice-weekly scrubbing.
The bathroom, especially the tub and the area behind the toilet seem to never stay clean for any period of time.
The bathroom, we hate doing the bathroom.
I think my kitchen cupboard shelves and pantry shelves/floor could really use some attention and cleaning. My first thought was the bathroom of course but because I worry about it being a germ-laden environment, I think I actually keep up with it pretty well, probably better than I need to. So I’m sticking with the kitchen.
uh, can u say the bathroom?!
My bedroom is really in need of a good cleaning/scrub down!
We just shut the door with everything thrown in there while trying to manage the rest of the apartment!
Thanks
the kids bathroom - UGGHH.
marybeth i.s last blog post..June 2008 - fun blogs on the web!
The master bath is the most ignored room in the house, i’m so busy cleaning up for and after the kids that I rarely get to do our space!!
The master bath for me. It is the last place I get too.
My bathtub is always in need of alot of help.. it gets alot of use and its old.. and the stains just wont come off.
I blogged your contest on Prize-A-Tron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
Angelas last blog post..My ShooShoos are shootastic!
Dusting is def. my most neglected task. I hate dusting!
The top of refridge, Can’t reach!!
These green products will take the green out of my bathtub!
I am embarrassed to say my bathroom needs the deepest clean!
I’m terribly embarrassed to say that my shower is in need of a deep cleaning.
the bathroom
My cabinets and high areas are filthy, I would love a cleaner that can solve this problem
have to say the bathroom.
I would love to try your product on my bathroom!
BATHROOM
Definitely the fridge, the veggie drawer - looks like some sort of scientific experiment going on.
definitely the bathroom
The place that I always put off cleaning is my refrigerator; for some reason that’s the one thing I really dread.
need to call in “hazmat” for my bathroom with two boys!
I would have to say the bathroom any and all parts of it
I definately have to say the kitchen, splatters, splashes, dropsies, all around!
Bathroom, the tub needs a good scrubbing!
around the cat box…yuck!
Like most…the bathroom!
The bathrooms usually need more attention than they get. They’re a pain in the (back) to deep clean.
Behind the refrigerator. Yikes!