HOW TO CLEAN GREEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND SAVE MONEY TOO!
If you have ever thought “eco-friendly” cleaning products are too expensive or hard to find…think again. Here are the k.o. kidz quick picks (found in virtually every supermarket and pharmacy) for easy alternatives to clean green and make your home sparkle for the holidays:
1. Wood Polish
Good ol’ Murphy’s Oil Soap (32 fl. oz., about $6) for cleaning and polishing wood floors and furniture. It was grandma’s favorite so why did we ever switch? Oh yes, to replace that smell of natural vegetable-based soap for the artificially scented, “garden fresh”, chemical mix of cleaner.
That “garden fresh” smell from the pretty golden liquid or spray is actually a mix of toxins. Most floor and furniture polishes contain glycol ethers which are liquid solvents commonly found in paint. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that short-term, high-level exposure to glycol ethers can induce unconsciousness, fluid in the lungs, and severe liver/kidney damage. With regular use, these toxins are constantly reintroduced into your home causing the table where you eat, the chairs you relax in, and the floor your kids and pets play on to be coated with the stuff.
2. All-purpose (& Glass) Cleaner
The best solution is a mix of ½ white vinegar (64 fl. oz., $4-5) and ½ water in a spray bottle for all purpose cleaner. I like using old newspaper (in place of paper towel or cloth) to prevent streaks on mirrors and glass table tops. (However, don’t forget to wear rubber gloves or you’ll be wearing the newspaper ink). A tiny shot of vodka can also be added for faster, streak-free drying. Actually, rubbing alcohol can be used too but a shot of vodka makes cleaning so much more fun! For general cleaning, a few drops of lemon juice or essential oil can also be added for scent.
Most glass cleaners contain ammonia and artificial colorants to give it that beautiful Caribbean blue. Ahhhh, off to the islands…or not (cough, cough, gag, gag). No, instead, you’re breathing in a chemical that is “very corrosive and damaging to the cells” according to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. So, why are we cleaning our bathroom mirrors with it? Better to avoid this one completely.
3. Bathroom Cleanser
For general cleaning and brightening, mix 1 cup baking soda (16 oz. $1-1.50) with ½ cup water or organic soap like Method (18 oz $3). Scrub on tile, chrome, or grout and rinse with water. Other good pre-made options include biodegradable scouring powder with mineral abrasives, like Bon Ami (12 oz $1.5-2) and non-chlorine oxygen bleach cleanser [i.e. sodium carbonate (baking powder) treated with hydrogen peroxide], such as Oxi-Clean (21 oz. $4-5) and Ajax (21 oz. $2).
So, why is bleach bad? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (determined nearly 20 years ago), it has been linked to ozone depletion and endocrine disorders in humans and wildlife. Important to note: Be careful NOT to mix bleach with other cleaning products containing ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar) as it has been known to cause death. So, please don’t decide to clean the toilet with the all-purpose cleaner mentioned above and then pour a cup of chlorine bleach in for good measure to kill any possible remaining germ at the deepest recesses of your toilet bowl. You have enough to do anyway. A trip to the hospital is not on “the list”.
Happy Holidays All!
*Hey, let’s work together in fighting for a greener planet! Sign up at www.koecolife.com and receive valuable coupons, tips, & product updates. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for our latest news and events too.
