SAVE ON CLEANING PRODUCTS WHILE GOING GREEN
WE HAVE been led to believe that a clean home is one that has the smell of factory-produced, chemically tinged lemon hanging in the air.
But, as the experts at the Environmental Working Group point out, clean, pure air has no smell, and that is what we should strive for when we clean.
Fragrance mixtures are often added to cleaning products by manufacturers, and are actually additional chemicals in the cleaning product. Often, their sole purpose is to mask odours.
So how can you create a clean and fresh-smelling home without damaging the health of your loved ones, while protecting the environment?
Going green
The Green Times ( www.thegreentimes.co.za ) refers to eco or green cleaning products as products that are harmless and sourced from nature.
“These natural ingredients will give you the cleaning power you need without the release of harmful chemicals into the environment,” they say.
Eco cleaning products have the same cleaning effects as ordinary cleaning products, but have a far smaller impact on the environment once they go down the drain, and are also not harmful to your health.
Cleaning bacteria
There are naturally occurring, “good” bacteria in the environment that can be used to clean the home.
These probiotic-based cleaners are based on certain types of friendly bacteria, which release biodegradable proteins (enzymes) that speed up biological processes.
Eco cleaning products use beneficial bacteria to effectively break down waste and dirt (biodegrade) by reducing them to micro-elements.
And when the probiotics and enzymes are finished with their work, they are absorbed back into nature’s cycle.
The other advantage of bacteria-based cleaning products is that they promote ongoing cleanliness by introducing “good” bacteria into your home, thereby creating a lasting defence against harmful bacteria. Is it really eco-friendly? To know this, you need to check that the ingredients are safe for your home and the environment. Ensure that they do not contain ingredients such as dioxane and ethylene oxide, which are known carcinogens and can cause cancer and birth defects.
Alternative cleaning products
The Smart Living Handbook, found at www.capetown.gov.za, provides a few simple recipes for making your own cleaning products.
For an all-purpose household cleaner, add vinegar, salt, baking soda (one part) and warm water (two parts), or add 1 teaspoon (5ml) liquid soap, 1 tsp (5ml) borax and ¼ cup undiluted white vinegar to one litre warm water and mix, then store in a spray bottle to use for cleaning countertops, floors, walls and carpets.
Vinegar cuts grease on surfaces and is an excellent deodoriser.
Bicarbonate of soda neutralises acids and cleans shiny surfaces without scratching.
It is also a good fabric softener and stain remover, and deodorises refrigerators, carpets, upholstery and drains.
Borax (sodium bicarbonate) is a naturally occurring mineral that is soluble in water. It deodorises, removes stains, and discourages mildew and mould.
However, contact the manufacturer of your dishwasher regarding the possible effects of using these products. –