Go Green!

We talked about organics, let's talk about green cleaning. I have started to try to go green with laundry detergent, dish detergent, cleaning my kitchen floors(I use a wonderful steamer, no cleaners just very hot steam) and vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum. It's not just about the environment, it's about the toxicity in the cleaning products that are on the market. Your health is at stake. So today in my local newspaper, The Record, they had great information about getting started and creating your own cleaners. I will be clipping this info and posting it on my fridge along with the previous post about organics. Here is what the paper posted;

Getting Started
Remove shoes when inside (we do this!! So many germs on your shoes)
Use portable air filters
Use filters for tap water and shower (We use Aquasana shower filters, chlorine inhalation is very bad for you, this takes out the chlorine not to mention the other crud in the water, we also use this at our kitchen sink for purified water, also by Aquasana)
Switch to natural cleaning products (Expensive but worth it but you can make your own)
Dust and mop regularly, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter(We use the vacuum)
Green plants naturally detoxify the air (Need to get more plants)
DO NOT WRAP OR REHEAT FOOD IN PLASTIC. (My caps, this is so bad for you, it has been studied that possibly breast cancer comes from a certain plastic that is heated and gets in your food)
Don't reuse plastic water bottles (Same reason)(We use stainless steel containers for our water) Look at the the recycling numbers on the bottom; Nos. 1, 2,4 and 5 are considered safe
-Kara Yorio

Do it Yourself
Air Freshener
Boil cinnamon and cloves and let the steam circulate
Put 1/2 cup of borax at the bottom of garbage pails (I like this idea)
Place a box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb smells(A time tested idea)

All Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1 tsp. borax, 2 TBSP. vinegar or lemon juice, 5 drops of essential oil and two cups of hot water (Vinegar has so many uses!)

Floor Cleaner
Vinyl floors: mix 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup borax and 1 gallon of hot water (we use the steam cleaner on our ceramic tile)
Wood floors: Use a vegetable soap such as castile soap or Murphy Oil Soap

Furniture and Floor Polish
Mix 2 parts olive oil, 1 part white vinegar and essential oil for scent
Mix a few drops of lemon juice for each pint of mineral oil

Glass Cleaner
Mix 1/8 cup white vinegar 1 cup of water and use a spray bottle

Mold and Mildew Cleaner
Mix 1 tsp borax, 3 TBSP white vinegar and 2 cups of hot water. Spray on surface and scrub off mold. To inhibit mold growth, spray a few more times, but do not wipe off. (I am going to try this)

Tub and Tile Scouring Powder
Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of borax, sprinkle on area and scrub with warm water

Source: "Cleanse Your Body, Clear your Mind" by Jeffrey A. Morrison, M.D.

**Please note that I have not read the above book, the above tips were posted in the newspaper and I thought valuable information about natural cleaners. I do not know anything about the book or the author.

Go Green, your health depends on it!!!