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5 Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning

posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 9, 1999 6:24 am
5 Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning
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By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Learning to clean from scratch—making homemade recipes—can truly work if you take time to understand a bit about the chemistry behind how the materials work. Here are the five ingredients that I find to be the safest, most effective, and useful for cleaning.

Baking Soda

A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline (its pH is around 8.1; 7 is neutral). It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and adsorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge or cloth, baking soda can be used as a gentle non-abrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens, and fiberglass. It will eliminate perspiration odors and even neutralize the smell of many chemicals if you add up to a cup per load to the laundry. It is a useful air freshener, and a fine carpet deodorizer.


Washing Soda

A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11. It releases no harmful fumes and is far safer than a commercial solvent formula, but you should wear gloves when using it because it is caustic. Washing soda cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax or lipstick, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Don’t use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors—unless you intend to remove the wax.


White Vinegar and Lemon Juice

White vinegar and lemon juice are acidic—they neutralize alkaline substances such as scale from hard water. Acids dissolve gummy buildup, eat away tarnish, and remove dirt from wood surfaces.


Liquid Soaps and Detergent
Liquid soaps and detergents are necessary for cutting grease, and they are not the same thing. Soap is made from fats and lye. Detergents are synthetic materials discovered and synthesized early in this century. Unlike soap, detergents are designed specifically so that they don’t react with hard water minerals and cause soap scum. If you have hard water, buy a biodegradable detergent without perfumes; if you have soft water you can use liquid soap (both are available in health food stores).


Mold Killers and Disinfectants
For a substance to be registered by the EPA as a disinfectant it must go through extensive and expensive tests. EPA recommends simple soap to use as a disinfectant There are many essential oils, such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil (an excellent natural fungicide), that are very antiseptic, as is grapefruit seed extract, even though they aren’t registered as such. Use one teaspoon of essential oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle (make sure to avoid eyes). A grapefruit seed extract spray can be made by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water.


Caution: Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

More on Non-Toxic Cleaning (113 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3187 articles available)

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Better Basics for the Home : Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold-Bond

Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle.buy now

Clean and Green : The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping by Annie Ber

In a remarkably easy-to-use format, Berthold-Bond tells how to clean effectively using simple, natural ingredients such a baking soda, Borax, lemon juice, vegetable oil and vinegar. She makes a convincing argument that cleaning with natural products can be handier, cheaper and just as effective as the alternative.buy now
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141 Comments       add a comment »
Marla Miller

I use one called Mela Soft. I do not worry about my granddaughter getting a hold of it and it takes less than Downey.

Pattie P.

does anyone know of a good washing softener that isn't toxic...I like the downy smell...I admit it..please don't get mad..I wonder if putting lavendar in the rinse cycle would do it???

Grant Lalli

Ecoh household cleaner made from natural and organic ingredients. 7.35 a quart highly concentrated, works great on stains fruit wash to Check it out www.ecoquestintl.com/clean

Deborah Mccormick

GREAT TIPS!!

Jeanne Macdonald

These sound good - thanks!

Rhiannon Myst

great tips. i love using EO's for many things.....much better then using the traditional brands. IMHO

Jennie B.

I didn't know about baking soda and vinegar - I'll try that! thanks

Jo Q.
  • Jo Q. says
  • Jun 2, 2008 2:35 PM

I came across three books 2 years ago on how to do all your cleaning with white vinegar, salt and baking soda. Have been using them since and love the way the house smells (or doesn't smell)!

Pattie P.

I used baking soda in my white clothes this weekend and my--they came out better than ever. I have a septic tank and sometimes the city water I have to use is dingy to state with...

L C Tolbert

My grandmother taught me a lot of the old time tricks for cleaning that they used way back when. She passed away in 1962 but I still use a lot of her tricks. "What is old is new again."

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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