Ah, the allure of the cleaning products aisle! Containers everywhere that promise to clean your home faster and better. But at what cost? It may be much higher than you think. Consider this: Not only do commercial chemical cleaners rob you of your hard earned dollars, they may also create health concerns in your home as well as in the environment of the planet we all share. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that our indoor air presents a higher risk for exposure to toxic chemicals than does our outdoor air. Chemical cleaners are among the culprits.

How do chemical cleaners affect us?
The first problem presents itself during the manufacturing of these cleaning products. Most commercial cleaning products are made from highly concentrated chemicals. These chemicals are transported from site to site for processing by different manufacturers. This phase of manufacturing alone creates the risk of hazardous chemical spills. And when these chemicals are combined during manufacturing, chemical waste products are released into the environment.

The second problem is the hazards of using the products themselves. The chemicals used in commercial cleaners can enter your body by simply making contact with your skin. Contact can cause skin irritations, blisters, sores, intense burning, peeling and scarring. Inhaled or ingested, these chemicals may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, depression, soft tissue damage, convulsions, coma and, in some cases, even cancer.

Thirdly, the residue left behind after using commercial cleaners can transfer to your children and pets. Take a clean glass out of your cupboard and fill it with cold water right out of the tap. See the bubbles that form at the top? Those bubbles are the chemical residue left by your dishwasher detergent. The same thing happens when you fill your bathtub after having used a commercial cleaner on it. When you get into the tub, you are exposing yourself to the residue left over from chemical cleaners that may linger even after many baths and cleaning with safe cleaners.

Finally, disposing of chemical cleaners creates high toxicity levels in landfills, wastewater and ground water. Plus, the great number of spent plastic containers increases the amount of unnecessary waste piling up in landfills.

A few more facts to ponder:
Over 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. (Source: Consumer Products Safety Commission)

The average American home has 3-10 gallons of hazardous materials. (Source: Children's Health Environmental Coalition)

In 1999, 2.1 million human poisonings were reported to poison control centers across the United States. More than half of the cases involved children under the age of five. (Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers via Children's Health Environment Coalition)

What can you do?
Get back to basics! Long before modern chemical cleaners were available, people kept their homes clean with simple, low-cost ingredients such as baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, borax and good old-fashioned soap and water. These products, which you probably already have in your home, really work. Baking soda is a wonder cleaner to scour sinks and tubs. Lemon juice cuts grease in a flash. Vinegar leaves a streak-free shine on windows. And borax is the best choice for whitening laundry. Although you may have to add just a little more elbow grease, these products will clean your home safely and effectively without the use of chemicals.

Many health food stores carry soap and cleaning alternatives free of harsh chemicals. Dr. Bronner's is a company on the forefront of the green business movement, and has over fifty years of dedication to ecological practices. They have won awards for their legendary line of fine castile soaps for body and home use, none of which are ever tested on animals. Another green company, Ecover, has dedicated over twenty years to ecological research and lists all their ingredients on the packaging. They produce an alternative to traditional dishwasher detergents called "Dishwasher Tablets." Another environmentally sound company, Seventh Generation, hosts a line of "earth –friendly" products from laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaners.

Below, I have included a favorite recipe which I use for cleaning mirrors, windows, faucets and appliances. It can also be used for quick cleanups of highchair trays and tabletops. Note: Do not use any product containing vinegar on marble or granite because the acidity will pit the surface.

GLASS CLEANER
You will need one new spray bottle (please do not use a spray bottle that previously contained a chemical cleaner).

1) Using a funnel, fill the spray bottle 3/4 full with white distilled vinegar.
2) Add 3-5 drops of peppermint essential oil.
3) Add 3-5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil.
4) Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water.

Keeping a clean home doesn't have to cost you or your family their helth, and it doesn't have to harm the planet we all share. Choosing natural products to clean your home will give you peace of mind and ensure a safer environment for all.
Rebecca Reynolds is the creator and president of Green Clean, Inc., a nontoxic, chemical-free professional cleaning service. Green Clean, Inc. specializes in providing a spotless home for those who have asthma, allergies, fibromyalgia, health concerns and others who simply care about our planet. Green Clean, Inc. may be reached by calling (440) 554-4141.

Illustration by Paul Mayer.