Safe cleaning substitutions & Continuation from last week’s article

Here is the continuation from last week’s article followed by some of the things we can use to replace dangerous chemicals. Office areas typically have little or no windows. The following plants grow well in these conditions: Pothos, Aglaonema, Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ or ‘Lisa,’ ZZ Plant, and parlor palm. All of these should do well as long as the lights are left on for about 8 hours, 5 days per week. These plants will grow slowly because of the limited light so they should not be repotted, fertilized, or watered very frequently. If you have small children and or pets the following is a list of plants that can be poisonous to small children and pets (all or just some parts of the plant are poisonous): The castor bean plant is a tropical plant that has strikingly attractive large leaves and red flowers, so it is tempting to buy it or grow it for a house plant. However, this plant should not be in any household with children or pets. The castor bean is one of the most poisonous plants in the world to humans, with all parts of the plant toxic, and it can be lethal by ingestion of the seeds, flowers, leaves and its pollen. Even inhalation of the pollen of the castor bean plant can be lethal. Other poisonous plants are: the Asparagus Fern, Avocado, Blue Gum, Buddhist Pine, Cacti: Bunny Ears, Column, Rats Tail, Sunset, Caladium, Century Plant, Crown Of Thorns, Cyclamen, Dieffenbachia, Holly, Ivy: Cape, English, German, Glacier, Gloire de Marengo, Needlepoint, Jerusalem Cherry, Mistletoe, Philodendron: Arrowhead, Black Gold, Devil’s Ivy (Pothos), Elephant’s Ear, Fiddle Leaf, Green Gold, Marble Queen, Ornamental Pepper, Silver Vine, Split Leaf, Sweetheart Vine, Red, and the Umbrella Plant. All parts of the Christmas rose are poisonous, so you may want to rethink buying any of them to decorate your home for the holidays if you have small children or pets. They may be considered only mildly toxic, but better safe than sorry. Poinsettias are another holiday plant that many of us purchase. They are considered mildly toxic, but the leaves, sap and stems could cause a very upset tummy if eaten. Chrysanthemums flower heads are mildly toxic as a contact poison for some folks, and will cause skin puffing and itching.

Last week’s Environmental Tracks article listed the chemicals found in products we use to clean our homes and use on ourselves. It listed the dangers associated with the different cleaners. The following are some safer cleaning products for us to use. There is sufficient evidence found by researchers, like the European Community Respiratory Health Survey made up of teams from 10 countries that found the following:  People who used cleaning sprays at least once a week had a 50 percent increase in asthma symptoms. They say that the more you use spray household cleaners and air fresheners, the higher your risk for becoming asthmatic. They found that other cleaning products caused other health risks.  Other products such as artificial lemon, pine, or orange scents may give off toxic pollutants. Researchers from the Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed 21 household cleaners, and their findings showed they contained chemicals that are classified as hazardous pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Twelve of the products contained terpenes that are found in products we use to give our homes a clean smell. These terpenes are found in the cleaning products pine, lemon, and orange oils. The following is what you can do to have a clean smelling home.

If you want your home to be lemony fresh and get rid of the toxic chemical cleaners pick up some real lemons. Lemons are a natural deodorizer. They can be rubbed on your cutting boards and the cut up pieces of peels can be placed in the bottom of your garbage cans. You can also use grapefruits, limes, and orange peels for this purpose. Lemons can also remove stains. For stains on clothes moisten the area with lemon juice then sprinkle some salt on it and leave it in the sun for a few days. For tough stains on porcelain mix three tablespoons of borax with one tablespoon of lemon juice then scrub with a nylon pad then rinse with water. Perspiration stains can sometimes be removed with a weak solution of lemon juice and water. The orange can be useful; too, it is one of nature’s perfect foods. Its tough peel keeps the orange fresh for a long time. Orange peels can be boiled in a pot on the stove with a few cloves added to add a delightful scent to your home. If you have a cat that likes to eat your houseplants put orange peels on the surface of the soil in your potted plants. Cats dislike the smell of the orange peels and they will leave your plants alone. Oranges can safely clean marble surfaces. Scrub the marble surfaces with a salted orange then rinse thoroughly with water and dry. To clean and freshen your garbage disposal cut a few oranges into quarters and run them through the disposal unit.  Orange balls hung in your closets keep moths away and deodorizes your rooms and closets. They can also be hung in musty smelling cellars to keep the musty smell away. Orange balls are simple to make. You need, oranges, cloves, and netted bags like the ones that oranges come in. Take a whole orange and poke whole clove pieces onto the surface then place these in the net bag and hang from a hook in your closet, rooms, or cellars. You can even make your own hairspray with just one orange. Chop an unpeeled orange into two inch pieces and place them in a small saucepan. Cover the pieces with two cups of water and boil until the mixture is cut in half. Pour your orange hair spray into a spray bottle and keep it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Oranges can also keep flies away from your picnic table. Just grate the skin of an orange with a cheese grater and place the grated pieces in the area you want the flies to stay away from.

The following are some safe cleaners: (1) For cleaning dishes buy vegetable based or citrus based soaps instead of petroleum based. Use non-chlorinated, non-phosphate or low phosphate products. If you use a dishwasher, sprinkle a handful of baking soda over the dirty dishes and use half of the recommended dishwasher product. (2) To remove mildew, scrub the spots with a borax and water paste. Use a nylon-scouring pad. For plaster walls leave the paste on the wall for a few days - DO NOT SCOUR - instead remove the dried paste with a vacuum. To clean mildew off of shower curtains, use a mixture of 1/2 cup of borax to one gallon of water. Rinse well. The curtain can also be machine washed with a towel, add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. To prevent mildew always dry out damp areas. Wash grout often so mold doesn’t get a chance to get started. It’s also a very good idea to seal the grout with a water sealer. (3) To clean toilet bowls use borax. Mix 1/2 cup of borax to a gallon of water. Sprinkle borax around the rim. For tough stains, let one cup of borax sit in the toilet bowl overnight. You can also coat stains with a paste of lemon juice and borax. Leave the mixture on the stain for 20 minutes then scrub. Do not use toilet bowl deodorizers with Paradichlorobenzene, as there is evidence it causes cancer in lab animals. (4) To remove ugly mineral deposits around the faucets, cover the deposits with strips of paper towels soaked in white vinegar and let it sit for an hour and then rinse. (5) To clean vinyl and linoleum floors use 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a half-cup of washing soda in a gallon of water. Remove tough scuffs with toothpaste. (6) To keep rugs, carpets and upholstery clean, vacuum regularly and clean up spills immediately. For stains pour club soda on the spot and blot. (7) to clean glass use 1/4 cup white vinegar per one quart of water. A high quality squeegee is the key to a streak free window. (8) To free a clogged drain toss a handful of baking soda and a 1/2 a cup of vinegar down the drain and cover. When you seal in the carbon dioxide gas bubbles they will agitate the clog loose. Let this sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water and follow by using your plunger. This should work, if it doesn’t you may need to use a metal snake to remove a stubborn clog. (9) To clean the oven the best method is to buy a self-cleaning oven. If your oven is not self-cleaning mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap and two teaspoons of borax in two cups of warm water. Apply to the oven surface and let it sit for 20 minutes, then scrub. Use a razor blade or spatula for tough spots.  Never use abrasive products on a self-cleaning oven. Protect the oven floor by using a cookie sheet or a foil pan. (10) For laundry detergents do not use those containing phosphates (check the small writing for contents). Liquid laundry detergents do not contain phosphates. Non-phosphate cleaners (in Consumer Reports, Feb. 1991) have been shown to clean very well. Laundry soaps clean better if a water softener like borax is added to prevent soap scum. Products containing washing soda brighten fabrics, cost less, and are safer than bleach. All Free, Tide Free and Clear, Simplicity Free, Gain and several others detergents are fragrance, dye and phosphate free. (11) Instead of bleach use a non-chlorine dry bleach or washing soda to whiten clothes. If you must use bleach cut it down to half the recommended amount and add 1/4 cup to a 1/2 a cup of baking soda to the load. (12) For a fabric softener add 1 cup of white vinegar or a 1/4-cup of baking soda to the final rinse. To reduce static cling, line dry or remove from the dryer while they are still slightly damp. (13) For disinfectants, soap and hot water is sufficient for most household needs. Occasionally, for needed disinfecting to clean cutting boards, shower stall floors, or to prevent mold in damp areas, mix 1/4 cup of liquid chlorine in a gallon of water. The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services recommend this dilution. (14) To freshen air open doors and windows and use a stove fan when cooking. Place baking soda in the fridge, in closets, and in bathrooms. Most air fresheners mask the odors and the chemicals contribute to air pollution. Avoid all products that contain Paradichlorobenzene, as there is evidence it causes cancer in lab animals. To deodorize carpets, sprinkle a mix of baking soda, borax, and cornmeal liberally on your carpets. After an hour, vacuum the carpets. For garbage cans, sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of garbage cans to inhibit the growth of odor-producing molds and bacteria. (15) For shoe polish for leather shoes, apply olive oil, walnut oil, or beeswax, and then buff with a chamois cloth. To shine patent leather shoes, rub them with a dab of petroleum jelly. To polish unvarnished wood, use almond, walnut, or olive oil. Work it in well then wipe off the excess. To clean varnished wood, use mild vegetable oil soap. Use linseed oil to revitalize old furniture. To polish brass, make a paste with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 a cup of white vinegar, and add flour until you have a nice paste. Apply a thick layer of this mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes to 1/2 hour then thoroughly rinse with water. Polish copper with a paste of lemon juice and salt. Clean silver by boiling it for three minutes in a quart of water containing one teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of salt, and a piece of aluminum foil or use a white toothpaste. Clean chrome with vinegar, rinse with water, and then dry. To polish and clean stainless steel, make a paste with baking soda and water, or use Bon Ami. (16) To remove blood, Immediately clean with club soda or sponge with cold water. (17) To remove chocolate or coffee stains soak in cold water, rub with soap and a borax solution, rinse, and then launder. If necessary, rub with a borax/water paste. (18) For fruit stains, soak in cold water for 30 minutes; rub soap into remaining stain, then wash. ‘Bleach’ with lemon juice and sunlight, if needed, or soak in vinegar. (19) For grease stains apply a paste of cornstarch and water. Brush off when dry. Alternately, cover the spot with baking soda or cornmeal; let sit to absorb the grease then brush off. Another solution is to scrub the spot with white toothpaste (not the gel kind). For grease on suede, sponge with a cloth dipped in white vinegar, dry and brush off. (20) Ink is a tough one to remove. Try saturating the stain with milk or sponge the stain with alcohol. Alternately, apply a cream of tartar and lemon juice paste; set for 1 hour. (21) For lipstick stains, rub with cold cream or shortening to dissolve the color; rinse the area with a solution of washing soda and warm water to remove the grease. Then wash in soapy water. For oil rub white chalk into the stain before laundering or scrub the spot with non gel toothpaste. (22) To remove (tough to remove) perspiration stains, try sponging the stain with a weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice and water. (23) For tea stains, stretch fabric over a basin and pour boiling water over the stain then wash as usual. (23) For wine stains, blot with paper towels to absorb wine, and then apply either club soda, rubbing alcohol, borax or white wine to blot out the stain. Alternately, stretch over sink and pour boiling water over the stain and rinse with cold water.