Cleaning at Home

If you have concerns which it seems that you do. I have the perfect solution. Email me at ____@____.com and lets talk.

Well, although my children haven't had any obvious health problems related to cleaning products, I used to never clean around them (I'd wait for their naps). I have always found that the fumes are very strong, even for an adult, let alone for a little kid, whose height is half mine or shorter, and who gets to inhale them even better... Anyway, because of that, I switched to "green" products, and I now feel comfortable enough to clean with my kids around.

D.,
I have been using Shaklee Cleaners since 1991. I am a 42 y/o Mom of a 5 y/o Boy and he even helps me dust and clean the windows with the Shaklee Basic H in a spray bottle. It is soooo safe. Check out my website at: www.shaklee.net/bethroberts

Yes, D., there are alot of us who care! Great question to ask. There is a new book out called Big Green Purse by Diane MacEachern which has alot of great information in it! Did you know that women are 80% of the purchasing power?? We can change the market! As for myself, I use vinegar, baking soda, borax for much of my house cleaning. Very inexpensive, effective and no toxic chemicals. I also use organic and natural products for my skin and families skin...www.blueridge.mionegroup.com is the website...we have a paraben free sun screen, a wonderful insect repellent, that can also be used on pets! Lots of healthy products for you and the environment, which is so important!

I'm one. Not only toxic for the children, but for adults and the environment. Luckily there are many, many green products out there now. If you want to pay $ you can find non-toxic cleaners in grocery stores even. I tossed (almost) all my cleaners and replaced them with vinegar and Borax. That's it. Borax has antibacterial qualities so can be used in the bathroom and vinegar cleans all surfaces, including glass. A quick glance at the internet or a stop at the library can net you plenty of other safe solutions. The only remaining "toxin" in my house is Clorox. I have yet to find something to clean our white Corian sink. I feel SO-O-O much better with my green products...and we save $ $.

I found this:
for dishwasher soap and it works wonders: 1 part borax
1 part baking soda
put them in the cup where the regular dishwasher soap would go and put white vinegar in the place the jet-dri would go your dishes will be cleaner than they have ever been before!

I also wash my clothes with this mixture. I just don't use a lot of vinegar, just maybe 1/2c. or so for a big load so they won't smell you can also omit the vinegar completely. My 15 year old boy smells a lot, so I use this mixture to get rid if his stench LOL. I also use those dryer balls and no dryer softener, That stuff coats your clothes with a silicone-like substance. I really like the balls, they really do work for me.

For an all-purpose cleaner I use a mixture of lemon ammonia, white vinegar (equal amounts), water, about 1/3 the amount of the ammonia and vinegar and borax, just a few tablespoons. I don't really use a science to mix the stuff. I use it for everything, even my ceramic flat cooktop stove. I even use a magic eraser for tough stains on that, doesn't hurt it a bit.

There is a great website I found; here it is:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8088/clngrn.html

It just goes on and on about anything you could possibly want to clean "greenly".

Hope you find it useful!

I've only recently become interested in this. Here are some products I have found effective. Shaklee cleaning products, Mosquito Barrier(outside insect spray), I use EVENFLO glass bottles for my daughter (bpa free), trying to switch to cloth diapers, use 7th generation wipes, Dr. Bronner's natural soaps, and finally SafeMama.com is a great source for all things safe for babies. I think you have to read the science behind the products to decide if they are right for you. I like all of these products. The less chemicals on my kids the better!

Absolutely! Did you know according to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men & 1 in 3 women will have cancer sometime in their lives? Harmful ingredients & harsh chemicals have been proven to contribute to this. Rates of asthma, especially in children are up like 800% over the last 20 years, again, mainly due to environmental factors. Autism & Add/Adhd are showing links as well.

My family shops for safe, naturally based products at wholesale prices from a green company that has been around for 23 years. Let me know if you want more info. or go to my website at http://www.switchingstores.com/mommyjob!

Hi D.,

I made the switch from toxic cleaning supplies to homemade 5 years ago. I'm certain there are many more books now than before and you probably could google homemade household cleaners. I received the book Clean House, Clean Planet; Clean Your House for Pennies a Day THE SAFE, NONTOXIC WAY, by Karen Logan. I have loved it. She uses vinegar, baking soda, soda water, essential oils, olive oils, fruit, for various recipes and suggests purchasing spray bottles and shakers. I love that the recipes she shares are multipurpose and not harmful. Since they're non-toxic, I have been able to include my children in the cleaning.

You can check out Karen Logan's book here:
http://www.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=3000-00010-0000

J.

Yes!!! Vinegar is a great to clean with.

Absolutely - i do care.

I am very concerned with what I use in my home and what I carry my children around. I have 2 (9 yr olds) with asthma and allergies. Some "smells" trigger an asthma attack in my kids. This started with my daughter when she was only 2 and I OPENED Pine Sol. Never got to use it. I use a lot of "green" products and plenty of baking soda and vinegar to clean my house. The best way I can put it is clean doesn't have a smell.

as long as you go by the label and dont let your kids use them you should be fine :)

We do! My husband use to work in the environmental business and I'm a cancer survivor. The environment in which we live needs to be as chemical free as possible for long lasting, GOOD health. If you want to buy cleaning products, we use the Seventh Generation product line. A great book I recommend is "The Queen of Cleans" by Linda Cobb. Great, natural cleaning tips and recommendations. So much of the cleaning products out there are just pure marketing and nonsense - says the woman with a marketing degree! Glad you wrote about this. Thanks so much. It's nice to not feel alone.

Here are some youtube clips of Moms speaking to Moms about the affect of cleaning chemicals on children, and natural alternatives. Hope it helps.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTpBru2Oaj4&feature=re...

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fesKxC7bIc&feature=re...

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CKGNZ8pWXA&feature=re...

Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4l5x76adSA&feature=re...

www.GreenCleanersThatWork.com

Yes, we have gone as natural as possible. There are recent studies that show a home's air inside can be more contaminated than a big city's air. Due to all the chemical cleaners a family uses, and sprays into the air. I clean with natural products, vinegar, baking soda, and similar options. I will use those clorox wipes, because they are quick, easy, minimal, and nothing sprayed into the air. We have allergies, to fragrances, and chemical sensitivity's already. All my children feel better and get sick less often since I've made the changes.
On a side note, now and then I really want to use a chemical in our bathrooms. A power clean, w/o all the scrubbing. Milder cleaners you have to work harder to use. So I pick a day I can really open up all the windows and I'll go for it, full chemical onslaught. lol Then we go to the park while the house airs out. Works great.

~P.
www.momentsbypaula.com
www.momentsbypaula.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/momentsbypaula

Yes! About four months ago I realized just how harmful it is to use harsh, toxic chemicals to clean your home. Not only does it hurt your children but you as well. I have switched all my household cleaners to natural, nontoxic one. Once more I think that baking soda and vinegar actually even clean better than the harsh chemicals I was using. Even better I can have my daughters participate in cleaning the house now because it is safe for them to use all of our cleaners. I would really recommend making the switch, you will really improve the health of your whole family.

I quit buying a lot of cleaners last year, mostly because it was just too expensive, and they didn't work! Now my favorite cleaner is boiling hot water and steam. It cleans, disinfects, is nearly free, and won't hurt any of the kids- provided they stay out of the way. I also use baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar a lot, also black tea for my wood floors. I buy nontoxic dishwasher detergent that works as well as cascade. I use a traditional laundry soap (Charlie's Soap) instead of detergent that cleans better than Tide, and you don't need fabric softener with it. So yes, I'd say that I care.

Yes, I'm very concerned about toxic chemicals--not only in cleaning products but in many of the foods also.

Many years ago I developed Environmental Illness (also known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) so I have to stay away from chemicals as much as possible. My condition has made me more aware of the dangers to my children, also.

I always use organic cleaners. For instance, I've made my own glass cleaner with a recipe I found online. I add vinegar and baking soda to every laundry load, using less (organic) detergent. When ants came around this spring, I went online again to find nontoxic solutions.

In terms of food, I always read the labels. No MSG. Low sodium. As few ingredients as possible. We often cook meals from scratch, which is easier than it sounds.

What I learned from my own health problems is that chemical exposure can build up over time, and the damage is often irreparable. That's why I'm so careful with my children.

YES!!!! I shop with a wonderful company called Melaleuca so as to avoid the chemicals and toxins in the home.
You should go check out this report about toxins in the home done by CBC (a canadian tv channel) you need Real player to view it, its an eye opener...

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/media/cleaners_rm_0303...

E.

Yes, we pretty much all care about it. And the good news is there is so much you can do about it now! Buy natural products - you don't even have to go to the health food store anymore!!! There are SO many alternatives to chemicals. Also, consider the chemicals we put ON our skin as well. Check out natural soaps and shampoos, as well as sunscreen and bug spray.

I care very much too. I started using products with a company several years ago, and now actually have a business based from my home. I loved the products that much! We have non toxic, alcohol free, environmentally friendly, highly concentrated, professional grade products used by medical, dental, pet professionals, and professional athletes all over the US and Canada. We have a dental line, pet line, weight loss, nutritionals, stress relief, air purification, and home and personal care products.They are safe for children and pets, and are proven to be superior to over the counter. Please check out my member perk or contact me if you would like some info. Not only is there a 100% money back guarantee, but I can give you a whopping personal testimonial! LOL.
<>< D.

cleaners, air fresheners, deodorizers, they all can be linked to asthma, cancer and allergies and skin conditions. i have used home made cleaners like vinager and baking soda, but recently switched to shaklee. the company has been around since the late fifties, and was green before green was trendy. they have a billion products, and you could spend a fortune, but all i buy is the Basic H. it is a super concentrated vegetable based cleaner. you dilute it into spray bottles to create a window cleaner, all purpose cleaner and degreaser. the concentrate will last me years, and has cleaned items that i thought were hopeless. my sister in law loved them so much, that she actually started selling it. if you want i could give you her number. i also make my own laundry soap, that works better than any store bought ive found, costs pennies to make, and is all natural and fragrance free. i have shared that recipe with many moms on this board, and never had a complaint.