What exactly are organic cleaning products? Today, “cleaning” has become synonymous with “disinfecting”, but they don’t mean the same thing. When you clean something, you merely remove surface dirt; when you disinfect something, you sanitize/sterilize it. Organic cleaning products are sufficient for most tasks performed in our homes; disinfecting is necessary if you work in a hospital or where persons have compromised immune systems. Certain manufacturers might want us to believe that our families are protected when we eliminate every single microbe from surfaces. (The same principle applies to our bodies with “antibacterial” soaps.) We have become “germ-phobic”. However, we can never totally eliminate bacteria. Many of the bacteria around us (and in us) are “good” bacteria. Like “good” insects, they help to keep us healthy. See our
organic personal care page
for organic soap recommendations.
Our best protection from unhealthy substances is unbroken skin and a strong immune system. When we set out to eradicate all organisms, we do not give our immune system the opportunity to develop natural immunity against, say, bacteria. Therefore, we do better by helping our family to eat right and by treating cuts and scrapes appropriately.
In addition, by using the right cleaning products, we also avoid introducing toxic substances into our homes. Isn’t pouring chlorine bleach on everything a little like killing a fly with a sledgehammer? We believe that it is definitely overkill. The EPA and the American Lung Association websites have information about substances that can cause us harm, and why. The non-profit organization womenandenvironment.org has a report entitled "Household Hazards", which discusses how chemicals like monoethanolamine, glycol ethers, and phthalates can contribute to asthma and reproductive problems.
Click here to read the "Household Hazards" report.
(You will need Adobe Acrobat reader for this file.)
Not all of the products listed here use organic ingredients, and there is no certification process for household cleaning products at this time. However, all of the following products are all-natural and non-toxic. We recommend liquid over powder detergents, since they require fewer filler ingredients and less energy to produce than powder detergents. Many of these products are available in major supermarkets.
Do you want to save money on cleaning products? Then why not make your own; it's easy and fun to do. Items to keep in your pantry include:
Baking soda - indispensible as an odor-absorber and cleanser. Use it in the refrigerator, the litter box, and on carpets. Mix it with equal parts water and use it to clean ceramic tubs, sinks, and cookware.
Organic white vinegar - a stain remover; safe to use on clothing to remove underarm stains. Mix it with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and use it to clean glass.
Lemon juice - stain remover and astrigent. Great on counter tops and for soap scum.
Organic vegetable oil - safe to use on wood surfaces.
Hydrogen peroxide - a disinfectant and bleaching agent. Mix with baking soda until it forms a paste; great on ceramic tile.
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