Cleaning product manufacturers aren't required to list ingredients on product labels, and ingredients aren't evaluated by any regulatory body before going to market, according to the Green Cleaning Booklet published by Alaska Community Action on Toxics. Make sure the so-called "green" or "natural" cleaning products you purchase are what they claim to be by sticking to products that list their ingredients clearly. To go even greener, make your own green cleaning products.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals
As you're reading the labels on your household cleaning products or calling the manufacturers to get a list of ingredients, look out for common harmful chemicals. Propan, formaldehyde and nitrous oxide, for example, are common ingredients in aerosols. Other chemicals to watch out for, according to the Alaska Community Action on Toxics, include ammonia, glycol ethers and phthalates.
All-purpose Cleaner
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water for a powerful all-purpose cleaner that cuts through grease, mildew and odors. The vinegar smell evaporates quickly, leaving you with clean, odor-free surfaces.
Natural Stain Remover
You can also use undiluted white vinegar, or substitute lemon juice in a pinch, to remove stains from hard surfaces such as tile or porcelain. Spray or pour the juice or vinegar onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes, then scrub vigorously with a stiff brush, as recommended by The Daily Green.
Baking Soda
Mix just enough water into baking soda to form a paste for an eco-friendly, surface-friendly non-abrasive scouring cleaner. In "How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit" in Care2, Annie B. Bond recommends mixing liquid detergent into the baking soda instead of water until it forms a texture like frosting. This mixture rinses clean with none of the grit that a baking soda and water mixture occasionally leaves behind. To keep the recipe green, use your favorite eco-friendly, phosphate free, biodegradable detergent.
Essential Deodorizer
Create your own non-aerosol "air cleaner" by mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus or lavender together in a small spray mister. Add water to fill the mister, then shake vigorously before each use. A little bit of essential oil goes a long way, so don't go overboard with the spritzing.
Clean Glass Naturally
White vinegar, applied then wiped off with a crumpled piece of newspaper, is glass cleaning the eco-friendly way. For extra shine, polish the mirror with another piece of dry newspaper after wiping the vinegar away. You can dilute your white vinegar in a spray bottle---as little as 2 tbsp. of white vinegar to a gallon of water. You can also substitute lemon juice for vinegar.
Club Soda for Carpet Stains
Club soda really does work for cleaning carpet stains, but only if you tackle the stain right away, according to The Daily Green. Pour the fizzing soda over the stain and blot, repeating as needed to remove the stain.
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