I'm sure by now you've noticed the newest trend in cleaning products. It's all about biodegradable, toxin-free, "green", products. I'm so glad the cleaning companies and the public are finally concerned about chemicals and the damage they can do to our health. Not to mention they are dangerous around children. Did you know that over a million poisonings in Canada each year are due to household cleaner indigestion. Some are even fatal. Also, thousands of children AND adults are permanently disfigured or injured through contact with chemicals in the home (scary right?)So, I totally understand the need for some chemicals in certain circumstances, like when disinfecting surgical equipment, or when trying to prevent the spread of an virus, or when cleaning a particularly disgusting toilet... you know all those kind of things. Most of the time however, like for every day cleaning, all those chemicals just aren't necessary.
You can buy toxin-free cleaners at most local stores and they work just as well as the chemicals. I really like Method All Purpose Cleaner, found at Shopper's Drug Mart and Canadian Tire. However, I've discovered a recipe to make my own for a fraction of the price.
Here's how to make it:
Mix in a 1L BPA free spray bottle
2 cups of water
2 cups of pure white vinegar - cuts grease, scum, stains, deodorizes, and disinfects.
15-20 drops pure lavender essential oil or tea tree oil - masks the smell of the vinegar and helps kill bacteria
I use it to clean my counters, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, etc. It works great and smells great too and the BEST part, it won't harm me or my kiddies!! In the next few weeks I'll be posting natural and environmentally friendly ways to freshen the air and get rid of nasty odors because conventional air fresheners, well... ugh, don't get me started.
Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth
