Eco-Friendly Laundry Cleaning

Posted on November 24, 2010 by

Dangers of Traditional Laundry Cleaners

Common Laundry Cleaners and their Toxic Ingredients

Enzymes Enzymes are found in various laundry detergents and pre-soaking products which help to loosen soil and remove stains. The enzymes are obtained from selected strains of bacteria. Products which contain enzymes have irritating and sensitizing properties. Asthma and dermatitis may occur from industrial exposure to these enzyme products but would be unlikely from routine household use. Granulated detergents, which encapsulate the enzyme, are less toxic than powdered formulations to people who have become sensitized to these enzyme detergents.

Petroleum distillates or Napthas Linked to cancer, lung damage and/or inflammation, and mucous membrane damage. This is a very harmful chemical.


Optical brighteners Optical brighteners are a broad classification of many different synthetic chemicals which, when applied to clothing, convert UV light wavelengths to visible light, thus making laundered clothes appear “whiter.” Their inclusion in any formula does not enhance or affect the product’s performance in any way; they simply trick the eye. They are toxic to fish when washed into the general environment and can create bacterial mutations. They can cause allergic reaction when in contact with skin that is then exposed to sunlight.


Artificial fragrances Artificial fragrances are made from petroleum. They can cause allergies and skin or eye irritation.

Natural Cleaning Ingredients for the Laundry

Natural laundry detergent recipes

Laundry Detergent Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads.


Fabric softener To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative.


Stain remover 1 cup water, ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup hydrogen peroxide. Mix the ingredients and pour into spray bottles. Treat the stain spot and soak overnight.


Grass stain remover Dab a generous amount of vinegar into the stain first, was as usual. You can also wet the stain with water and cover with sugar. Soak for at least 1 hour and then wash as usual.


Mildew stains First, squeeze some fresh lemon juice on the spots then sprinkle with salt. Let the garment dry in the sun then wash as usual.


Perspiration stains Combine a solution of water and vinegar in a 60/40 split quantity. Sponge onto the stain and wash as usual. Alternately mix the same ingredients using 1 quart warm water with 4 tablespoons salt and soak the garment in it. Wash as usual.

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Green Cleaning Kitchen

Posted on November 24, 2010 by

Dangers of Traditional Kitchen Cleaners

Common Kitchen Cleaners and their Toxic Ingredients

All Purpose Cleaners Usually contains 1 or more of the following ingredients: ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and trisodium phosphate. The effects from using all-purpose cleaners are mild to extreme irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and corrosive if swallowed, depending on the ingredients in a particular cleaner. Chronic irritation may occur from repeated use.

Aluminum Cleaners The common ingredient in aluminum cleaners is hydrofluoric acid which is extremely corrosive and toxic. Extremely dangerous! Hydrofluoric acid can burn skin, damage muscles and bones.


Bleach Liquid household chlorine bleaches contain approximately 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Fumes highly irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; causes deadly chloramine gas if mixed with ammonia. Should not be mixed with other cleaners as this will cause toxic gases to form which can result in coughing, loss of voice and even death.


Detergent Dishwasher Detergent Most automatic dishwashing detergents may be classified as irritants or corrosives depending upon their composition, concentration, and physical form. Skin irritation or burns may occur following exposure to dissolved detergents. Toxicity may range from mild tissue causes severe burns. Hand Washing Detergent Contains combinations of anionic and non-ionic detergents, glycols, alcohols, and salts. Exposure to the membranes of the mouth, throat, and gastro – intestinal tract may be irritating but not caustic. Anionic and non-ionic detergents are not well absorbed, and no toxic dose has been established.


Disinfectant Disinfectants are considered pesticides. Skin contact and vapors can be irritating and corrosive to the respiratory system and skin. They may contain one or more of the following hazardous substances: ammonia, cationic detergents, cresol, lye, phenol, pine oil. Disinfectants are especially hazardous when dispersed from aerosol cans because the disinfectant can be easily ingested through the nose and mouth.


Drain Cleaner Common hazardous ingredients in drain cleaners are lye and sulphuric acid. Drain cleaners are extremely corrosive and dangerous to use. Harmful effects of lye and sulphuric acid is that they are caustic and corrosive and can cause severe skin burns and blindness.


Floor Cleaner Common hazardous ingredients found in floor cleaners include: Pine Oil, Petroleum distillates and Naphthas. Possible effects depending on the ingredient and amounts respectively are, eyes and mucous membranes irritation; skin, eye, respiratory tract irritation, may cause fatal pulmonary edema and is flammable; inhalation may cause drowsiness, headache, coma and cardiac arrest, irritate eyes, throat and skin.


Glass and Window Cleaner Hazardous ingredient components are ammonia and isopropanol. Fumes from Ammonia can irritate eyes and lungs while contact can cause burns or rashes on skin. Isopropanol can cause irritation of the mucous membranes; ingestion results in drowsiness, unconsciousness and death.


Oven Cleaners Common hazardous ingredients are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Extremely Corrosive. Possible effects are: burns skin and eyes; usually fatal if swallowed; aerosols disperse chemicals, increasing inhalation dangers


Scouring Powder Common hazardous ingredient in scouring powder is bleach. The fumes are highly irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; causes deadly chloramine gas if mixed with ammonia.

Healthy Cleaning Supplies

Vinegar A great all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant and deodorizer. Safe to use on most surfaces but do not use on marble surfaces. Also, improperly diluted vinegar is highly acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Can be used to clean the stovetop, countertop, appliances and floor.


Lemon juice is a natural substance that can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Can be used to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains. You can also put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal to help freshen the drain and the kitchen.


Baking Soda Can be used to remove stale odors from the refrigerator; just place a small bowl or box of baking soda in the fridge. Also removes stale odors from containers; rinse with hot water and baking soda. Clean surfaces, remove burnt food stains from the bottom of pans and so much more.

Non Toxic Cleaning Recipes

Recipe for Dishwasher Soap Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda. If you water is hard, you can increase the washing soda.


Disinfectant Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Use with a dampened cloth or use a non-aerosol spray bottle. [Does not have antibacterial properties]


Oven Cleaner First, moisten the oven surface with a damp sponge. Combine 3/4cup baking soda, ¼ cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, then spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let it sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.


Scouring Powder Baking soda makes a great scouring powder for top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched. Just apply the baking soda directly with a damp sponge.


Air Freshener Simmer cinnamon and other spices on the stove. You can also keep fresh coffee grounds on the kitchen counter. To prevent fish odor when cooking, simmer 1 tbsp vinegar in 1 cup water while cooking.


Antibacterial Spray for surfaces 100 ml Distilled or filtered water, 100 ml Ethanol or rubbing alcohol (not isopropyl alcohol which contains petroleum), 50 ml Vinegar and 30 drops essential oil. Combine all ingredients and shake before use. Store in a cool dark location. It has a shelf life of up to 12 months.

This mixture can be used on counters and surfaces to clean and help eliminate harmful bacteria without the use of toxic chemicals. Keep out of reach of pets and children.

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Non Toxic Bathroom Cleaning

Posted on November 24, 2010 by

Common Bathroom Cleaners and their Toxic Ingredients

Aerosols Contain an active ingredient and a liquid or gaseous propellant that is packed under at least 40 pounds of pressure per square inch. These pressurized aerosol containers are explosive and may be flammable. The actual product propelled by the aerosol, such as some oven cleaners, can be corrosive or poisonous, therefore requiring great care.



Disinfectants Disinfectants are considered pesticides. Skin contact and vapors can be irritating and corrosive to the respiratory system and skin. Disinfectants are especially hazardous when dispersed from aerosol cans because the disinfectant can be easily ingested through the nose and mouth.


Disinfectants may contain one or more of the following hazardous substances: ammonia, cationic detergents, cresol, lye, phenol, pine oil. The harmful effects of these substances are as follows:

  • Ammonia The fumes from ammonia irritate eyes and lungs; can cause burns or rashes on skin; can produce deadly chloramine gas if mixed with chlorine containing products
  • Detergents Toxic and poisonous to ingest, causing nausea and in extreme cases – coma
  • Cresol Corrosive to tissue, damages liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas and spleen
  • Lye Caustic product that burns skin, can cause blindness
  • Phenol Central nervous system depression; severely affect circulatory system; corrosive to skin; suspected carcinogen
  • Pine Oil Irritates eyes and mucous membranes

Drain Cleaner The common hazardous ingredients found in drain cleaners are lye and sulphuric acid. Drain cleaners are extremely corrosive and dangerous to use. Harmful effects of lye and sulphuric acid is that they are caustic and corrosive and can cause severe skin burns and blindness.


Floor Cleaner The common hazardous ingredients found in floor cleaners include: Pine Oil, Petroleum distillates and Naphthas. Possible effects depending on the ingredient and amounts respectively are, eyes and mucous membranes irritation; skin, eye, respiratory tract irritation, may cause fatal pulmonary edema and is flammable; inhalation may cause drowsiness, headache, coma and cardiac arrest, irritate eyes, throat and skin.


Glass and Window Cleaner The hazardous ingredient components are ammonia and isopropanol. Fumes from Ammonia can irritate eyes and lungs while contact can cause burns or rashes on skin. Isopropanol can cause irritation of the mucous membranes; ingestion results in drowsiness, unconsciousness and death.


Hydrogen Peroxide It is used as a disinfectant and deodorizer. It is a clear, colorless liquid. Common household hydrogen peroxide contains a 3-5% concentration. In general, ingestion or skin exposure of small amounts of household hydrogen peroxide will cause no serious problems. It is mildly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and causes a whitish discoloration. However, industrial strength hydrogen peroxide used as a wood or hair bleaching agents (10% concentration H2O2) may result in severe burns to the skin, throat, and gastrointestinal tract.


Isopropyl Alcohol Also known as isopropanol, is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is highly flammable. Isopropyl alcohol is found in alcohol sponges, cleaning agents, and rubbing alcohol (though some rubbing alcohols contain ethanol), and is a good disinfectant. Most rubbing alcohol contains 70% isopropyl alcohol.


Poisoning can occur through skin absorption, oral ingestion, or inhalation. Symptoms from ingestion, inhalation or absorption of large quantities include flushing, headache, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, anesthesia, and coma. Alcohol baths or sponges to soothe a fever can lead to acute poisoning through skin absorption or inhalation. Instead, the Regional Poison Center suggests using tepid water as a sponge bath to fight fever.


Mildew Remover Hazardous ingredients are Phenol, Kerosene and Pentachlorophenol. The possible effects of Phenol use are central nervous system depression; severely affects circulatory system; corrosive to skin; and is a suspected carcinogen


The effects of Kerosene is that it causes lung inflammation and tends to dry out the skin.


The effects of Pentachlorophenol is that it is toxic to a fetus and causes birth defects; toxic if inhaled, absorbed or ingested.


Scouring Powder Common hazardous ingredient in scouring powder is bleach. The fumes are highly irritating to eyes and respiratory tract; causes deadly chloramine gas if mixed with ammonia.


Toilet Cleaners usually contain the following ingredients: sodium bisulphate, oxalic acid, 5-dimethyldantoin, hydrochloric acid and phenol. The known effects of these ingredients are as follows:

  • Sodium bisulphate forms sulphuric acid which is corrosive and can burn skin
  • Oxalic acid damages the kidney and liver; irritates eyes and respiratory tract; corrodes mouth and stomach
  • 5-dimethyldantoin forms hypochlorite in water, which is corrosive to skin and mucous membranes
  • Hydrochloric acid fumes are extremely corrosive and it burns skin with contact
  • Phenol can cause central nervous system depression, severely affect circulatory system, is corrosive to skin and a suspected carcinogen

Natural Cleaning Ingredients for the bathroom

If you have the following ingredients on hand you can clean your entire bathroom safely and easily. Give it a try!

  1. Vinegar
  2. Baking Soda
  3. Lemon
  4. Borax

Bathtub & Shower Mix vinegar and baking soda into a paste and apply to generously in the tub and shower. Let it sit for a few minutes then scrub, wipe off and rinse with warm water. This will remove soap scum and mildew.


Bathtub, sink and other bathroom surfaces Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and vinegar to 1 quart warm water and put the mixture in a spray bottle.


Toilet You will need 1 cup of borax and ½ cup of white vinegar. To remove tough stains, do this overnight or give it some time, probably 30 minutes. Flush the toilet to wet the sides, sprinkle the borax all around the inside, then sprinkle the vinegar over that. In the morning, scrub with a toilet brush thoroughly then flush again. Lemon juice can be substituted for the white vinegar.


Bathroom floor cleaner Ingredients: 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 gallons water, ¼ cup natural liquid soap, ¼ cup baking soda, 15 drops lavender essential oil. Method: Combine the ingredients and use it to mop your floor, then mop again with clean water.

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