Green Clean. Jill Potvin Schoff
petroleum-based detergents, formaldehyde, dyes, and fragrances.
Dishwasher Powder
This recipe works wonderfully for me, although you may need to prerinse your dishes because it’s not quite as effective on baked-on food. Citric acid (also called sour salt) is the key ingredient, and you can buy it in bulk online (see the Resources section) or possibly at places that sell canning supplies. This recipe also makes a great scouring powder.
1 cup citric acid
1 cup washing soda
15 drops essential oil (optional)
Put all ingredients in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. Use about 1 tablespoon per load. Shake each time before using. If you have hard water, or have trouble with spots on your glasses, try adding two drops (and only two drops!) of liquid dish soap to each dishwasher load. Every dishwasher is different, so experiment with amounts until you find the right combination.
Using Store-Bought?
The hot temperatures of dishwashers vaporize toxins in detergents and release them into your kitchen. Chlorine, phosphates, and antibacterials are ingredients to avoid.
Laundry Soap
Making your own laundry soap is a great way to keep your family’s clothing chemical-free.
1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent
1 tablespoon washing soda
¼ cup vinegar (for rinse)
Add the liquid soap and washing soda to the washing machine as it fills with water. Try varying the amount of ingredients to fine-tune the recipe for your needs. If you’re using soap (not detergent), use a warm-water wash. Increase the amount of washing soda if your water is very hard. Add the vinegar to the rinse cycle (not the wash cycle!) to rinse away soap scum and soften clothes. Vinegar alleviates the need to use any fabric softener at all. For particularly dirty loads, or to whiten whites, use oxygen (nonchlorine) bleach. For more details, see the chapter on laundry later in the book.
Using Store-Bought?
Avoid conventional fabric softeners, chlorine bleach, and Fels Naphtha soap. Fabric softeners in particular have nasty chemicals that coat your clothes and directly contact your skin.
Mildew and Germ Killer
Use this spray in the kitchen and bathroom—anywhere that you want to kill germs. Preliminary research shows that it has broad antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Studies have shown that lavender oil is antibacterial as well. Essential oils can be found at most health-food stores or ordered online.
2 cups water
¼ teaspoon (about 25 drops) tea tree oil
¼ teaspoon (about 25 drops) lavender oil
We cannot officially call this a “disinfectant” because it has not been classified as such by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fill the spray bottle with water, and then add the tea tree and lavender oils. Shake gently before each use. Spray on surfaces and leave to dry—do not wipe. (See “Mold and Mildew” .)
Using Store-Bought?
Avoid disinfectants containing cresol, phenol, ethanol, kerosene, formaldehyde, ammonia, chlorine bleach, sodium hydroxide, and phosphoric acid.
Baking Soda Scrub
This is a great all-purpose mild cleanser that scrubs and lifts dirt at the same time. It’s effective for cleaning grout, stovetops, sinks, and just about anything else.
2 tablespoons baking soda
liquid dish soap or castile soap
Put the baking soda in a wide-mouthed container and mix in the liquid soap a little bit at a time until you have a nice, foamy paste. Work onto the surface you wish to clean using a rag, sponge, or brush (depending on how much abrasion you need). Let it sit for up to fifteen minutes (depending on if it is a light or heavy-duty job) and then spray with vinegar to rinse. If you are working with a surface that is sensitive to acids (such as tile), rinse off the vinegar immediately with water.
Using Store-Bought?
Avoid chlorine bleach, a common additive to powdered cleansers and soft scrubs. It irritates the lungs, skin, and eyes and is a major cause of poisoning in children younger than six.
Tools of the Trade
An important aspect of green cleaning is avoiding one-use, throwaway materials. Select quality cleaning tools and supplies that you can use more than once.
Natural Sponges
Choose sponges made of cellulose that are not treated with antibacterials (avoid ones with labels that say things like “resists odors”). Or opt for an even more natural sea sponge. Loofahs work great for abrasive scrubbing. Boil your sponge or throw it in the microwave for two minutes to disinfect it.
Microfiber cloths: These cloths can be found just about everywhere these days, and they are well worth buying. The unique weave of the cloth allows it to pick up dirt and grime with ease. Much of your everyday cleaning chores can be done with just a microfiber cloth and water. Special cloths formulated for glass can even be used without water. Just throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty.
Microfiber cloths and water can get many jobs done.
Cloth rags: Cotton rags are useful for almost any cleaning project. Use them in place of sponges—they last longer and can be thrown in the washing machine so that they don’t lie around, gathering bacteria. If your family doesn’t provide you with enough old clothes for rags, buy some. A kind of cloth diaper called “Chinese prefolds” makes a great absorbent rag that is perfect for cleaning spills.
Brushes: A large wooden brush with soft natural bristles is great for large cleaning projects. Toothbrushes are great for getting into nooks and crannies. (I recommend using new toothbrushes because the bristles of used ones are too soft to be effective.)
Bucket: Buy a high-quality plastic or stainless-steel bucket that will stand up to abuse and last for years.
Squeegee: A squeegee is great for washing windows, mirrors, and shower walls and doors. It saves you from having to wipe down glass with a rag or paper towel.
Timer: Often, a nontoxic cleaner works better if it’s allowed to sit for several minutes. An inexpensive kitchen timer will allow you to walk away and do another quick chore without forgetting to come back and finish the job.
Caddy: A plastic caddy is a convenient way to store essential cleaning products and carry them around.
Broom: Reach for your broom instead of the vacuum to do a quick cleanup—you’ll save energy and burn calories. Angled nylon brooms pick up dirt well although corn brooms are a more eco-friendly option.
Only When Needed
Disinfectants are hugely overused in the United States. There are only three home cleaning situations in which I believe that more than soap and water is warranted: 1) if you have an immune-compromised person in your home; 2) in the kitchen to protect against food-borne bacteria; and 3) to kill mold and mildew.
As an alternative to the Mildew and Germ Killer recipe, use white vinegar. It is perfect for everyday cleaning where you would like to disinfect a bit, too. Studies referenced by Heinz show that white vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses).
Dust