We’ve been talking a lot lately about how spring has finally sprung and all we want to do is go be outside in it. Well, as true as that may be, you still have to go back inside eventually, and when you do, you can only ignore the need for a good old fashioned spring cleaning for so long.
So you finally bite the bullet. Good job, you. But there’s a bit more to it than that.
Many common household cleaners can be hazardous to your health – and to the environment. They contain alcohol, ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde and lye – all substances that can cause nausea, vomiting, inflammation and burning of the eyes and throat. Some of these ingredients have been linked with neurological, liver, and kidney damage, and asthma and even cancer. Yikes.
So before you throw up your hands and lose all motivation, Shelley Green, owner of The Green Corner Store, 15th and Main Streets, Little Rock, offers a few tips to keep in mind when buying and using cleaning products:
- Read the labels of the cleaning products you are looking at buying carefully to make an informed environmental decision.
- Use less. Part of greening your cleaning routine is to reduce the number of cleaning products you use. Despite marketing claims made by some manufacturers of conventional cleaners, it isn’t always necessary to use a different product for each cleaning task in your home. For example, an eco-friendly antibacterial product will kill germs in the bathroom, as well as the ones in the kitchen. Likewise, a green product made to clean wood floors is likely suitable for wood furniture and paneling.
- Make your own. Believe it or not, some of the greenest cleaners are the ones you make yourself. Click here for a few great DIY green cleaning recipes.
The Green Corner Store has a healthy selection of earth friendly cleaning products from Dr. Bronner’s and Better Life. Still have questions? The staff there can help you pick out what you need to keep your house clean and green (and we don’t mean mold).
And make sure you stop by the Loblolly Creamery counter while you’re there. You deserve it.
This article was first published in March 2014.