Using Green Cleaning Products—Facts and Myths Why should I use green cleaning products? There are a variety of reasons families should consider using green cleaning products in their homes, from health to environmental impacts. Regular household chemicals used in cleaning supplies can be harmful to your health. Consider these statistics:  A 15 year study in Oregon, comparing women who didn't work outside the home with women who did, found a 54% higher death rate from cancer in the women who stayed at home. The study suggested that chronic exposure to cleaning products played a role. (The Seventh Generation Guide to a Toxin Free Home) EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Cleaning products and other household products are among the culprits (Environmental Protection Agency-EPA). Approximately 85,000 chemicals are in use today. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, complete toxicological screening data is available for only 7% of these chemicals, and more than 90% have never been tested for their effects on human health. (Breast Cancer Fund) Household cleaning products rank among the most toxic everyday substances to which people are exposed. Most chemical brands are not safe. Some especially toxic household cleaners include ammonia, chlorine bleach, aerosol propellants, detergents, petroleum distillates and toluene. Many of these substances not only harm the skin; they also give off toxic fumes that affect the person using the product and everyone else. Symptoms from 'the flu' to headaches have been associated with products we use to clean our furniture, bathrooms and clothes, as well as air fresheners to keep our bathrooms smelling pleasant (Raymond Francis, M.Sc., Never Be Sick Again).

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Green cleaning supplies avoid the use of physically harmful chemicals which are commonly found in conventional cleaning supplies (if you don’t believe me, read the back of a bottle of Pledge and see if you recognize any of the ingredients). Many of the chemicals used in conventional cleaning supplies are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens, and reproductive toxins. These chemicals have been linked to cases of asthma, water pollution, and indoor air pollution. These chemicals can also be extremely damaging to the environment. Most of these chemicals get washed into the local water supply, where strong links to water toxicity have been found. Additionally, since a large number of green cleaning supplies are offered as concentrates, their production leads to reduced shipping costs, reduced transportation costs, and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. What are green cleaning products? According to President Obama’s Executive Order #13514, the general definition of “green cleaning products” are products and services that have a “lesser or reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose”.

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Green cleaning products can be made at home or purchased in stores. Nowadays, they run the gamut from surface cleaners, dish detergents, laundry soaps, and air fresheners. When purchasing green cleaning products, consider the following: 1. Read the list of ingredients. Do you recognize the ingredients? Can you pronounce the names? 2. Concentrates are the best for the environment. 3. Make sure the manufacturer is using recycled packaging. Most green cleaning products are easy to spot in the store. They use terms like “all natural”, “green”, and “environmentally friendly”. But there are also items that are “green” that most people don’t think about. The recent introduction of microfiber cloths has been one of the most overlooked green item in stores. A study conducted by the University of California Davis Medical Center in 1999, found that cleaning with microfiber resulted in a 95% reduction in the use of water and chemicals to clean surfaces. This translated into a 60% lifetime cost savings over standard mops and cleaning rags. Items that have been around for hundreds of years have also been making a comeback as “green” cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and castile soaps are some examples. A couple of recipes for homemade cleaning items are offered at the end of this article. What are the costs of green cleaning products? Based on the Green Cleaning Chemical Cost Survey conducted in 2008 by the Ashkin Group, the actual cost of green cleaning supplies is the same or no more than 10% higher than conventional cleaning supplies. A search of WalMart.com showed costs of regular cleaning supplies and green cleaning supplies to be the same for most items. Additionally, environmentally safe cleaners usually require less product per application to do the same job. Green cleaning products are also typically manufactured as multi-purpose cleaners, meaning you need to purchase fewer products to clean your entire home. Finally, the most common, effective, and long standing household cleaners are some of the most inexpensive items found in stores, including vinegar, baking soda, and plain old water. For example, vinegar and water combined as a multipurpose cleaner costs about $3 per gallon. Similarly, a gallon of Pine Sol© would cost approximately $30. Going “green” would save you about $27. What are the drawbacks to green cleaning products? There is one main drawback to using green cleaning supplies, though it is offered as a mixed review. Most green cleaning supplies cannot be certified by the EPA as disinfectants. Though disinfectants are usually made from the most harmful and hazardous chemicals, they serve a purpose by killing microbes and bacteria that live on surfaces. Adversely, the use of disinfectants through the years has been linked to our growing resistance to antibiotics. Studies have shown that most families over-disinfect their homes by an average of 63%, spreading these harmful chemicals in areas that microbes and bacteria are rarely found. By only using disinfectants to clean surfaces in which harmful microbes and bacteria are

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found—mainly surfaces which come into regular contact with bare skin—families can cut back on their use of these harmful chemicals and increase the use of green products. A final word Making the commitment to purchase and use green cleaning supplies is a simple way to be healthier and protect the environment; all while avoiding a hit to your pocketbook. Next time you go to the store, take a look at the variety of items offered and put a few green cleaning supplies in your cart. You’ll thank me later. Simple recipes As promised, here are a couple simple and very inexpensive recipes you can put together at home. Both recipes have been Kahya tried and approved. Homemade Laundry Detergent     3 bars laundry soap such as Fels Naptha (The soap needs to be grated, which can be a pain. I bought a heavy duty grater from the Dollar Store, which did the trick nicely.) (about $1 a bar) 1 box (44 oz.) washing soda (about $3 a box) 1 box (4 lbs.) baking soda (about $2.20 a box) 1 box (72 oz.) Borax (about $5 a box)

Combine all ingredients. Place into sealed containers (I bought large containers with screw-on lids at the Dollar Store). Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. This amount of detergent should last a family of 4 about 1 year. Total cost: $13.20 Homemade Dish Soap    2 cups of castile soap (about $3) A few drops of essential oil—use your favorite smell (about $4 for a small bottle) 1/2 cup of water

To make the soap, follow these instructions. 1. Combine two cups of liquid castile soap with 1/2 cup of warm water. 2. Add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent. 3. Shake or mix well and place in a squeeze bottle. 4. Shake the soap well each time before using. 5. Use about as much as you would normally use of your regular soap. Total cost: $3.25

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References "Common Misconceptions of Green Cleaning." . Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 09/11/2009. Web. 20 Mar 2012. . Cagen, Mose. "Why Should I Use Green Cleaning Products?" . Ezine Articles, 10/10/2008. Web. 20 Mar 2012. . Espinoza, Typer, Chris Geiger, and Iryna Everson. "The Real Costs of Institutional ‘Green’ Cleaning." . San Fransisco Environmental Organization, 2010. Web. 20 Mar 2012. . Skyi, Christopher. "How to Know Which Green Cleaning Products Are Best?." . Office Cleaning-Keeping in Clean, Green Clean, 07/14/2011. Web. 20 Mar 2012. November, Ester. "Homemade Green Cleaning Products That Work." Huff Post Green. The Huffington Post Online, 03/18/2010. Web. 20 Mar 2012. . "Environmental Cleaning and Disinfecting." . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 08/09/2010. Web. 20 Mar 2012. .

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