Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Products

Today's modern home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances designed to make domestic life easier. The cost of these commercial, chemical-based products can be high with long term health concerns for the family, and environmental pollution caused by their manufacture and disposal.

For most home-cleaning chores, you can make your own cleaning products using the items listed below. Here is a list of nine ordinary, environmentally safe products that can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.

  • Borax - cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.

  • Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.

  • Washing Soda (SAL) - is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. NOTE: Washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.

  • Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body.) (See http://drclark.ch/g)

  • Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps that contain petroleum distillates.

  • Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

  • Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)

  • Trisodium phosphate (TSP) - a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes.

  • White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.

All natural, non-toxic cleaning productsIf you prefer not making your own products, there are a growing number of commercial non-toxic home cleaning products available, as healthier and environmentally responsible alternatives. Using products such as these help promote green businesses such as Howard Naturals, which are contributing to a sustainable economy.

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