(Austin Compton is Cleveland County’s Family and Consumer Science Agent with the University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service. Contact Austin via email at acompton@uada.edu or phone at (870) 325-6321.)
A clean home is a healthy and a pleasant home. It looks better, it smells better, but did you know that lurking behind all those smells can be numerous chemicals that are affecting your health? About 16% of individuals are extremely sensitive to chemicals, easily breaking out in rashes and other skin/eye irritations, or other chronic ailments. Others who have chronic respiratory problems may have trouble breathing with strong smells and fumes. Still others may be concerned with the environmental impact of using such intense cleaners. Children especially are at risk. They can be poisoned easily. They are also growing and are exposed to chemicals that weren't around just 75 years ago. Research is slowly showing that some ingredients in conventional cleaning chemicals can affect our health and our environment. However, there are things we can do.
You may have noticed that there are an increasing amount of "green" labeled products on the market. While many of these are gentler and safer to your health and environment, they still may contain irritants. Green cleaners can be worth a try but do your research first before settling on a brand. If these products are out of your budget, then consider making your own homemade cleaners!
Know Your Cleaners
Base/Alkali: Good for removing dirt, fat, and grease. Conventional: All-purpose cleaner, oven cleaner. Alternative: Baking soda (mild), Borax (moderate), Washing soda (strong)
Acid: Breaks down rust, mineral deposits, hardwater stains. Good for glass, windows, brass, copper, tiles, and mold. Conventional: Toilet bowl cleaner, Tub and Tile cleaner, mold solutions. Alternative: Vinegar, Lemon Juice.
Detergents: Loosens dirt and lifts it up and out of the way. Usually used on laundry or dishes. Conventional: Laundry detergent, Dishwashing liquid, Cleansers. Alternative: Washing soda/borax, Soap nuts/granules, Vegetable/coconut oils.
Abrasives: Wears off dirt by rubbing. Found in powders and scouring pads. Can scratch surfaces. Conventional: Scouring powders, Steel Wool. Alternative: Baking soda or salt, Borax/Washing Soda, Mesh pads.
Bleach and sanitizers: Whitens. Remove stains. Disinfects or reduces the number of bacteria. Conventional: Most common household products are chlorine bleach. Alternative: Sunlight/citrus, Hydrogen peroxide, Borax or vinegar, Tea tree/lavender oil.
Ammonia and bleach are inexpensive and effective at cleaning and disinfecting. They can be used sparingly and diluted as a last resort in household recipies. However, NEVER mix ammonia and bleach together! Mixing these chemicals can produce highly toxic fumes!
Green Recipes for All Purpose Cleaners
Mild: ½ cup vinegar, ¼ cup baking soda, ½ gallon hot water
Stronger: 2tbsp borax, ¼ cup vinegar, 2 cups of hot water
Strongest: 3tbsp white vinegar, ½ tsp washing soda, 1/2tsp castile soap, 2 cups of hot water
Credit: Margaret Harris, Ph.D., M.S., is Assistant Professor - Health with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.