Common household cleaners have
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) which evaporate and contaminate the air inside the house. They have many reported negative health effects.
Anti-bacterial products are not more effective at killing germs and can contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria population growth among other
negative effects.
Non-toxic home-made cleaners (
complete list):
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Baking soda: good for scrubbing, kills odors
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White vinegar: disinfects
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Hydrogen peroxide: disinfects and bleaches
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Lemons: cut grease
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Olive oil: polishes wood and picks up dirt
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Water and lemon juice or white vinegar: clean glass
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Half cup white vinegar and 2 drops of olive oil: polishes wood furniture
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Soap and Detergent
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Get fragrance free laundry detergent which has fewer chemicals
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Make your own laundry detergent out of castile soap, washing soda and borax.
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Instead of bleach, mix in half cup baking soda or washing soda. (wear gloves)
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To avoid static cling, dry cotton and synthetics separately or add a quarter of a cup white vinegar to the wash cycle
Air Fresheners
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Don't use aerosol which makes inhaling chemicals unavoidable, instead ventilate the house or leave out baking soda or white vinegar.
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Avoid incense which have particulate matter in their smoke and may be carcinogenic
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Use beeswax or soy instead of paraffin candles, which release toxins into the air when burned
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Paper towels
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Over a 1/3 of Americas 251 million tons of municipal waste was paper in 2006
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Use a rag instead of paper towels when cleaning
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Buy recycled products with the highest percentage of PCW (post consumer waste)