According to a booklet written by the EPA and the CPSC (EPA Documentƒ-K-93-007), the insides of homes are up to 100 times more polluted than outside the home. This is largely due to household cleaners and pesticides. People and pets are affected by continual exposure to chemicals. EPA DocumentƐ-R-92-012 states that household chemicals may be the cause of increased cancer in humans and animals. One of these toxic chemicals is alkylphenols, the chemicals that make cleaners sudsy.
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Isopropyl Alcohol
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Isopropyl alcohol is a disinfectant and nontoxic when dry.
Baking Soda
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Baking soda is inexpensive and makes a great scouring cleanser for tubs, sinks and floors. Baking soda also deodorizes. Sprinkle on carpets and upholstery to remove pet odors. Make a paste with baking soda and water to use as a metal polish.
Borax
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Borax is a natural mineral sold as a laundry detergent. Borax not only cleans, but it also kills fleas. Use it to clean everything, and then sprinkle some on the carpet, use a broom to get it down into the carpet fibers, wait 24 hours, and then vacuum it up.
Cornstarch
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Cornstarch cleans rugs and windows and will polish some metals.
Mineral Oil
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Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a bottle of mineral oil to make a nontoxic wood polish.
Steam
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Steam cleaners are sold just about everywhere. They use only water so they are completely safe for people and pets.
Steel Wool
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Steel wool makes a great scrubber for stubborn grease and stuck-on grime.
Vinegar
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A half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water will clean tile, glass and rust stains. Add a half cup of vinegar to a cup of baking soda to create a nontoxic drain cleaner.
Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves
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For a nontoxic air freshener, boil cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove over low heat for 30 minutes.
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