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Your Healthy Home May Be Making You Sick

What's your picture of a healthy home? Dust-free carpets, a well-scrubbed kitchen, and a sparkling bathroom? Think again: the germs you're killing are probably less dangerous than the cleaning products you're using to kill them.

Dangers of indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, molds, viruses, and pet dander are one topic. But did you know that some of the products you use to clean your home actually pollute the air you breathe and are hazardous to your health? Detergents and disinfectants often contain dangerous chemicals, including compounds linked to cancer, nervous system damage, and respiratory failure. Limit your use of these products, and be sure to ventilate the area you're working in by opening windows and/or using an exhaust fan.

Toxin-free cleaning products Alternatives to the heavy-duty chemicals you currently use are probably in your cupboard right now -- items such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. These toxin-free cleaners will get the job done without putting your health at risk.

* Baking soda Baking soda is a mild abrasive and deodorizer. It acts as a degreaser, and in some cases, as a stain remover. Use it to clean porcelain, Formica, tile, plastic, chrome, stainless steel, linoleum, painted surfaces, and silver. You can clean countertops, sinks, tubs, toilets, pots and pans, and even your oven with a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and some water. It also makes a great air freshener. In addition to placing an open box in your refrigerator, put an open box in your bathroom or other odiferous areas. Commercial air fresheners mask odors by coating your nasal passages. Baking soda simply neutralizes the odor. Note: Do NOT use baking soda on woodwork, brass or aluminum. It can darken or blacken these materials.

* Vinegar Vinegar is a mild acid that is also somewhat antimicrobial (able to destroy microorganisms). Some people prefer vinegar to baking soda as an all-purpose cleaner because of its antimicrobial properties. A common recipe is 1/2 cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water. It's great for cleaning windows and eliminating mold. You can also use baking soda and vinegar in combination to clean a grimy toilet or unclog a drain (pour the baking soda in first, then add the vinegar).

* Lemon Lemon juice, like vinegar, is a mild acid. It can be used to clean tarnish, grease, and some mineral buildups. The juice of a lemon can be used to clean brass, bronze, aluminum, and copper. Simply rub it on with a soft cloth, rinse and polish dry. If the tarnish is particularly stubborn, let the lemon sit on the tarnished area. Remember to be very careful when cleaning antiques or other precious items. Don't let any cleaning agents soak through valuable items. Essential oil of lemon is particularly effective on gum residue from labels and stains on skin from petroleum or other products.

* Salt Table salt is a safe and generally non-scratchy abrasive. If you've got stubborn dirt in areas where you use baking soda, add some salt as an extra abrasive. Salt and hot water can also be used to clean up grease in an oven.

* Antimicrobial oils For a natural disinfectant with a fragrant odor, combine two cups of water and several drops of an antimicrobial oil such as rosemary, juniper, sage, tea tree, or eucalyptus in a spray bottle.

* Commercial products Commercial cleaning products that are friendly to the environment and to your health are also available, though you may not always find them in your supermarket. Call Health Nut Products 530 559 8064 for more information.