Chemical-Free Cleaning

By Dylan Roche

If you’re prepping to do some serious spring cleaning, you might want to think twice before you reach for your go-to chemical disinfectant. Although health leaders, including those at the American Academy of Pediatrics, acknowledge that chemical-based cleaning products are an important part of maintaining a healthy home because they reduce germs and bacteria that can cause illness, you need to be careful. When used improperly or in excess, common chemical-based cleaning products can be hazardous. In many cases, you can achieve the same results with nontoxic, all-natural products you probably already have around your house—and while some of them require a little more scrubbing effort on your part, your lungs and skin will thank you for the reprieve.

There’s some disagreement about how safe the typical household cleaning product is. The American Chemistry Council maintains that cleaning products are safe and effective when they are used properly, and a product’s toxicity is going to depend on how much a consumer is exposed to it. This is why the Federal Hazardous Substances Act dictates that all products have labels that state what risks they pose to consumers, how the product should be stored, how the product should be used, and what immediate first-aid steps should be used in case of an accident.

That might not be much comfort for people who are already wary of chemicals. Additionally, the Environmental Working Group reports that many substances found in common cleaning products haven’t been evaluated for safety by government agencies or third-party research agencies. You could be looking at fumes that trigger respiratory problems, skin exposure that results in irritation or chemical burns, and even cancer or reproductive issues from long-term use.

You might be surprised how easy it is to accomplish many of your cleaning tasks with nontoxic products, whether it’s the stuff you do daily or the seasonal deep cleans. Plus, these DIY natural cleaners will reduce your environmental impact, so they’re just as good for the health of the planet as they are for your health.

TO MAKE A GENERAL ALL-PURPOSE CLEAN-

ER, combine a half-cup of white vinegar with a half-cup of water. Add about eight to 10 drops of essential oil for scent. Add the mixture to a spray bottle and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Screw the top to the spray bottle on tightly and shake to mix. Use for countertops and other nonporous surfaces.

TO SANITIZE YOUR

TOILET, simply sprinkle citrus-flavored powdered drink mix (like lemonade or orangeade) into the toilet bowl and start scrubbing. The citric acid in the drink mix will kill germs and help remove gunk and grime. It will also smell great!

TO REMOVE STAINS FROM FABRIC

AND UPHOLSTERY, combine a half-cup of liquid dish soap with a quarter-cup baking soda and two cups of warm water. Dab the mixture onto the stain and let it sit for approximately 30 minutes. If the fabric is washable (such as an article of clothing), launder the way you usually would. For fabric that isn’t washable (such as a rug or a sofa), scrub the cleaning paste away with water. If any baking soda remains, allow it to dry out completely before vacuuming.

TO REMOVE MOLD OR SOAP SCUM FROM YOUR SHOWER, combine a half-cup liquid dish soap with a half-cup white vinegar. Slowly stir in a quarter-cup of baking soda. Apply the mixture to your shower tiles or your tub. Scrub vigorously if necessary; then rinse with warm water.

TO CLEAR A CLOGGED

DRAIN, use vinegar and baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a generous pour of white vinegar. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to fizz, which will loosen any gunk or buildup in the drain. When the fizzing subsides, pour about a half-gallon of steaming hot water down the drain to flush it clean.

TO POLISH WOOD,

combine one cup olive oil with a half-cup white vinegar. Shake or stir to combine. Use a soft rag to apply the polish to wooden furniture or hardwood floors. Allow to sit for five minutes before wiping away any excess with a dry rag.