It's been over 3 years since I have gone almost completely chemical free in the household cleaning area. Toxic chemicals have been found to be respiratory irritants which can cause severe health issues with short term and long term use. These chemicals can also be carcinogenic. If you read the labels on cleaners, there is even a warning stating these things. Personally, when I have used chemical cleaners, my nose starts running and my chest feels heavy and I start coughing. Why would I want to submit myself and my family to health hazards. When I was pregnant with my youngest son, Asher, this prompted alot of changes in our daily living. I started using white distilled vinegar and water for disenfecting and cleaning surfaces, toilet bowls and cutting grease and build up. Vinegar along with baking soda works like "scrubbing bubbles" and a plumbing snake. Just pour about a half cup of baking soda down a slow or clogged drain along with a cup of vinegar and hear the combination do it's work. Wait a few minutes and then run hot water or boiling water to flush and amazingly it is clear and unclogged! I fill a spray bottle about a third with vinegar and then the rest with water. I use this in the kitchen for countertops, degreasing the stove, cleaning the stainless steel fridge as well as the inside. I keep a bottle in every bathroom for disenfecting the sinks and toilets, cleaning the soapcum in the shower and making the mirrors shine. In the bathtub for removing stains and tougher grime, I use baking soda with a wet sponge and then a final rinse with vinegar. I also use vinegar in the laundry as a softner and stain remover. I fill a bucket half way with hot water and 1/4 cup of vinegar to wash our hard wood floors and trim.
"Vinegar has been found to be effective in reducing levels of E.coli on various surfaces(e.g., laminate, wood, tile, concrete, stainless steel, and granite).Vinegar has been used commercially to reduce microorganisms in slaughterhouses and poultry plants; to reduce mineral and lime deposits in bathroom pipes; to prevent milk stone buildup in tanks used by the milk industry; to clean vehicles and equiptment used in the construction industry and to wash and rinse walls and ceilings in restaurants and food establishments.Cleaning with vinegar is much safer and cheaper than using commercial products and has the following additional advantage:
It's biodegradable- a mild organic acid
It's easy to dispense and cotrol
It's safe for stainless steel, used by the food industry
It's relatively non-toxic and , so safe for handling
It's less likely to leave harmful residues behind
It has a pleasant, clean smell
It can be used where environmental considerations are especially important." This is taken from the book "Vinegar 1001 Practical Uses" by Margaret Briggs
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to go chemical free in the household cleaning department. I buy a gallon jug of white vinegar at Meijer for around $3.00 . Baking soda is even cheaper. Another cleansing agent that is made of naturally derived ingredients is Bon Ami. The ingredient list taken from www.bonami.com is as follows:
"Baking soda,bodegradable cleansing agents derived from corn, palm and coconut, citric acid, corn alcohol, epsom salts, natural essential oils, feldspar, limestone,soda ash,tallow soap,water, xanthan gum,ph adjuster and biodegradable preservatives". This is great to use if you want something with a little more grit for scrubbing. It's in powder form and is very inexpensive as well at around $1.94 or less for 14 oz. I usually get it from TARGET in the natural cleaning section.
