1. What you use to clean really does matter!
Many standard household cleaning products have chemicals which are dangerous to the health of our bodies and the planet. Chemicals we use not only can pollute the air we breathe and be absorbed through our skin, but they get back into our environment via soil, water, and air. These chemicals pollute the earth and animals/plants that inhabit earth.
Replacing our standard cleaning products and changing our daily practices is an easy way we can help to take care of the environment and our health. Make this process simple by replacing your standard products with a more eco friendly version as you run out.
Here a study from 2003 that explores chemicals in consumer products: CLICK HERE
This describes the most common household chemical products and safety tips associated with each: LEARN MORE HERE
There are many alternatives to standard products that do not pollute our environment or our bodies. Another plus, is these alternatives often are cheaper and cut down on waste and consumption.
… So what do we use? It's Simple!
White vinegar
~ Add 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water for an all-purpose cleaner (Add your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent)
~ Great for killing mold
~ Shower/toilet/ and tub cleaner- Spray the tub, shower, toilet with your all purpose cleaner and sprinkle Baking Soda over the vinegar, let stand for a couple minutes and scrub away the germs, mildew, mold, and dirt
~ Can also be used in place of Round-Up for weed killing in the backyard
Castile Soap- Made from olive oil, is a multipurpose household soap great for hands, hair, and even mopping the floors!
~ My favorite is Dr. Bronner’s multi-purpose castile soap. Literally can be used for almost EVERYTHING and is earth, animal, and human friendly. CLICK HERE
Sponges/cleaning cloths- Look for sponges and scrubbers made without plastic, synthetic disinfectants, and dyes. Look for products that are biodegradable and made with natural resources. I use a sponge made 100% from bamboo that I found at my local health food store.
Spiff Cloth- This is your all in one cleaning cloth. I found these at my local farmers market and love them! All you need is to dampen the cloth with water and it picks up all dust, crumbs, and literally leaves all windows and glass streak free.
~ No more use of paper towels, Windex, or harsh cleaners
~ Each cloth last at least a year, I have been using mine for 3 months with no sign of deterioration LEARN MORE
2. Let’s replace standard home products with eco-friendly products.
Why? Because if we shouldnt ingest it, it should not go down the drain or on our bodies.
Laundry detergent- Look for labels that are biodegradable/animal friendly and avoid the use of bleach, chlorine, artificial fragrances and colors, 1-4 dioxane, NPEs, phosphates.
~ Click here her for a list o the best green laundry detergent of 2020:
~ Personally, (I have light to moderate laundry needs) I use Tru Earth, an eco friendly laundry detergent that also comes without plastic packaging.
Dish/Dishwasher Soap- Look for biodegradable/animal friendly labels that avoid the use of phosphates, triclosan, sulfates, fragrance, ammonia, chlorine, DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine), and formaldehyde.
~ Learn more about chemicals in common dish soaps
~ Learn about top reviewed eco friendly dish soaps HERE
Air Freshners- Again standard air freshener products are produced with chemicals that are harmful to our health and environment. The best way to go is using a pure essential oil spray.
We have 2 essential oil diffusers that we use to freshen our air and give our bodies a health boost.
~ LEARN MORE about harsh chemicals in air fresheners and reviews of the best eco friendly products
Thank you for reading about tips I have found helpful to be more earth conscious with household chores. Feel free to email us if you have any suggestions or ideas of how we can be earth conscious at home, or if there is a topic you would like to see added to our Earth Friendly Tips page.
Sincerely,
Isabella Thayer, President
1/28/2020