Celebrating Earth Week: Natural Cleaning Products

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Good Morning!

 

Celebrating Earth Week: Natural Cleaning Products

 

In celebration of Earth Week, I thought it appropriate to take a look back at

some of the contributions in our archives from our 10,000 member community,

Alternative Answers.

 

I want to thank, Michelle at http://www.HolisticPerimenopause.com and another

member, Wild Mouse, (this also includes an article by Elizabeth Hughes) for

these past posts about natural cleaning products!

 

Cleaning the House Safely by Elizabeth Hughes

 

This is a wonderful series of ideas from Elizabeth Hughes.

 

I have been feverish lately about getting people to use kid safe and

environmentally safe cleaning solutions. I know I would have liked this

information a few years ago and I had to make an effort to seek it out when it

should have been common knowledge. Anyway, here are some simple compounds that

you can make in your home and other cleaning tips that won't make you run out of

the room for air.

 

Environmentally Safe (and kid safe) products to clean your home:

 

Five basic nontoxic ingredients that can be used as cleansing agents:

 

These ingredients, supplemented with vegetable-oil- based soaps, lemon juice,

herbs or toothpaste, can be mixed together and used to bring a natural,

economical and safe shine to your home.

 

baking soda

washing soda

borax

salt

white vinegar

 

Here are some of the compounds you can make:

 

Disinfectant:

 

Mix 1/2 cup borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with

1 gallon hot water.

Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool.

Store in a recycled plastic spray bottle.

 

 

Floor cleaner:

 

Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water.

For greasy floors, add 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil-based

soap to the above mixture.

 

 

Window-washing fluid:

 

Mix 1 cup vinegar with 4 cups hot water.

 

 

Oven cleaner:

 

Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. Sponge onto stains and wipe clean.

 

 

Copper-pan cleaner:

 

Sprinkle surface of pans with coarse salt. Rub salt into stains with the cut

half of a fresh lemon.

 

 

Wood furniture cleaner:

 

To remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto the stain.

Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth.

 

 

Removing mildew:

 

To remove mildew from bathtubs, bathroom curtains and tile, make a mixture of:

one-half cup vinegar, one-half cup of Borax cleaning detergent and 2 cups of

water. Pour it on the dirty areas and let it sit for a few minutes, and then

scrub with a cloth. If mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice.

 

Clean the toilet bowl: Combine equal parts of baking soda, Borax cleaning

detergent and white vinegar. Pour generously around the bowl and scrub with a

brush. Or leave it over night if badly stained.

 

Removing crayon, pencil or ink from walls: To remove crayon, pencil or ink marks

from the walls (without removing paint), take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda

and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away.

Wipe away excess baking soda with the same cloth.

 

Furniture Polish:

 

Make your own furniture polish by combining one tablespoon of lemon juice or

white vinegar with one- half cup of olive or vegetable oil. Take a soft cloth

and polish.

 

 

Removing crayon, pencil or ink from upholstery: To remove pencil, crayon or ink

marks from upholstery, use dry baking soda. Use a hairbrush or similar brush to

rub baking soda and remove the marks.

 

Blood stains: To remove blood stains, combine one quart of Borax cleaning

detergent with two cups of cold water. Rinse stained clothing item in cold

water, and scrub in warm water with your hands. Then dip in solution and wash by

hand.

 

Coffee and chocolate stains: To remove coffee and chocolate stains, mix one

teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of cold water. Sponge on stain and wipe

clean.

 

 

Other hints:

 

Ironing Clothes: To get crisp results when ironing clothes, combine 1- 2

tablespoons of cornstarch in one pint of water. Pour into a spray bottle, shake

and spray clothes before ironing.

 

Bug Control:

 

*To keep bugs out of flour, pasta, rice, pancake mix and other wheat products,

put 2 to 3 bay leaves in the containers.

 

*Rather than pesticides, you might foil roaches by placing bay leaves around

cracks in the room and leaving out dishes of equal parts baking soda and

powdered sugar. The last resort is a mix of powered sugar and boric acid (a

poison).

 

*For other pests, a soapy water spray can be an insecticide, and a shallow pan

filled with stale beer will kill snails and slugs.

 

*To protect the family pet, alternatives to toxic flea collars include

eucalyptus ointment, herbal baths and a pinch of brewer's yeast or Vitamin B

with dinner.

 

Removing Grease: To remove grease or hair from the drain, use equal parts of

vinegar, salt and baking soda. Pour mixture down the drain and let stand for 15

minutes. Then pour boiling water down the drain.

 

 

http://pinksunrise.com/fixit/cleaning.htm

 

You can just about clean everything with white vinegar.

 

Dishwashing Detergent Liquid Dish Soap

 

2 baking soda : Borax 2 c grated soap for hard water, 1:1 for soft 1 gallon

water (Use vinegar in rinse cycle)

 

 

Laundry Starch

 

1 T cornstarch: 1 pint cold water

 

 

Laundry Detergent

 

2 bars Kirk's Castile Soap (Zote, Octagon, Fels Naptha, handmade) grated

2 c washing soda

2 c Borax

2 T fragrance Oil (optional)

5 gallons water

 

Grate soap, soak in water over night. Melt soap over low heat. Dissolve soda &

borax in another container in warm water. Combine soap and soda/borax mixture

and stir briskly. Add FO and remaining water. It will gel up. From reading, some

people put just one cup of each soda and borax. Also, others play with the

recipe some to get it the way they like it. Some added one cup of liquid laundry

soap to keep it from turning to gel as bad.

 

 

Multipurpose Cleaner Window Cleaner

 

1 t Borax * t liquid soap

1 t Washing Soda 3 T vinegar

2 T vinegar 2 c water

1 t liquid soap

2 c very hot water

 

 

Scouring Powder Soft Scrub

 

1 cup baking soda 1 2/3 c baking soda

1 cup borax * c liquid soap

1 cup regular salt * c water

2 T Vinegar

 

 

Stain Remover

 

1 cup ammonia

1 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup baking soda

2 T liquid soap 2 qts. water

 

***

 

Michelle's suggestions:

 

What are you breathing, eating, using on your body and hair, putting into the

environment and cleaning your home with? Think about it!

 

Even the most health conscious people I know still use chemical laden household

cleaning products. And, you just might find that the main ingredient in your

shampoo is carcinogenic. Knowledge is empowerment!

 

TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

 

ALPHA HYDROXY ACID: - Skin irritant. An organic acid produced by anaerobic

respiration. Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate not only dead skin

cells, but the skin's protective barrier as well. Long-term skin damage may

result from its use.

 

ALUMINUM: - Skin irritant. Has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease. Very commonly

found in antiperspirants; it's used to clog your underarm pores, so you don't

sweat... not a good thing to do! The leading cause of breast cancer is the use

of antiperspirant. A Concentration of toxins that leads to cell mutations

(a.k.a. CANCER.) Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an

antiperspirant/deodorant combination so go home and check your labels. Deodorant

is fine, antiperspirant is not.

 

ANIMAL FAT (Tallow): - A type of animal tissue made up of oily solids or

semisolids that are water-insoluble esters of glycerol with fatty acids. Animal

fats and lye are the chief ingredients in bar soap, a cleansing and emulsifying

product that may act as a breeding ground for bacteria BRONOPOL: - Acts by

releasing nitrites, which combine with DEA to form nitrosamines. " One of the

most expensive lines of cosmetics today, Chanel, often uses this chemical. So do

many leading brands of baby products. And the Body Shop, whose product sales are

built on a reputation of containing natural ingredients, also offers products

containing this chemical. There are many safer yet equally effective products

available, " states Dr. Epstein.**

 

BUTYLATED HYDROXIANISOLE (BHA) and/or BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT) - BHA and

BHT are preservatives very commonly used not only in cosmetics and personal care

products, but in food products. BHA is absorbed through the skin, stored in body

tissues, and is an animal carcinogen, suspected human carcinogen, and a

xenoestrogen.

 

COAL TAR DYES: = Carcinogens. Blue #1 and Green #3 to name only a few. According

to Dr. Epstein, " These carcinogenic dyes are often contaminated with arsenic and

lead. " Check your toothpaste label on the box it came in! These artificial dyes

are in many other products as well.

 

COLLAGEN: - May suffocate the skin. An insoluble fibrous protein that is too

large to penetrate the skin. The collagen found in most skin care products is

derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. This ingredient forms a

layer of film that may suffocate the skin. The molecular weight of any product

must be 3000 to enter the skin, 800 to enter the cell, 75 to enter the blood

stream. The molecular weight of most skin & hair products is over 10,000

therefore, is ineffective.

 

CRYSTALLINE SILICA: - Carcinogen. According to Dr. Epstein, " Crystalline Silica

is present in some personal care products and toiletries. It's been incriminated

as a cause of lung cancer in both animal studies and human. "

 

DEA (Diethanolamine) and/or MEA (Monoethanolamine) and/or TEA (Triethanolamine)

-Some alias names: Cocamide DEA, DEA-Cetyl phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 phosphate,

Myristamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, Cocamide MEA, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA,

Oleamide DEA, TEA- Lauryl Sulfate ( " Diethanolamine and Cosmetic Products " , FDA

Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet, Dec. 9, 1999)

 

Ethanolamines are eye and skin irritants, causing contact dermatitis. DEA is

easily absorbed through the skin, and accumulates in body organs, even the

brain. " Animal tests show it causes damage to the liver, kidney, brain, spinal

cord, bone marrow, and skin. Contact with the eyes can cause impaired vision " .

( " Dangerous Beauty: Cosmetics and Personal Care P. Dingle and T. Brown, 1999

 

DIOXINS: - A potentially carcinogenic by-product that results from the process

used to bleach paper at paper mills. Dioxin-treated containers sometimes

transfer dioxins to the product itself. (see Sodium Laureth Sulfate). According

to Dr. Epstein, " The Health Protection Branch of Canada has reported dioxin

levels in the parts per trillion range in several samples of milk and cream

packaged in bleached milk cartons manufactured in the United States. Dioxin has

migrated from the cartons to the milk. Very likely U.S. milk products are

similarly contaminated with dioxin. Dioxin's carcinogenicity is up to 500,000

times more potent than that of DDT. "

 

ELASTIN OF HIGH-MOLECULAR WEIGHT: - A protein similar to collagen that is the

main component of elastic fibers. Elastin is also derived from animal sources.

Its effect on the skin is similar to collagen.

 

FLUORIDE - Possible carcinogen. Dr. Epstein states, " There have been several

studies incriminating fluoride in bone cancer. The important point about this is

that the public have been given no information on this and fluoride in

toothpaste is particularly dangerous because kids swallow a significant amount

of the fluoride, especially when toothpaste contains saccharin as many

toothpastes do. " http://www.nofluoride.com

 

FLUOROCARBONS: - Can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation. A

colorless, nonflammable gas or liquid commonly used as a propellant in

hairspray.

 

FORMALDEHYDE: - Is used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, and

preservative. It is found in cosmetics and personal care products because

numerous other ingredients release formaldehyde when they break down. Two of

these formaldehyde donors used as preservatives are DMDM (Dimethylol Dimethol

Hydantoin) and Imidazolidinyl Urea often sited as the second most common cause

of contact dermatitis from preservatives. (A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic

Ingredients, Ruth Winters, Three Rivers Press, 1999)

 

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: -Implicated in mouth, tongue, and throat cancers. A

colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the fermentation of yeast and

carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently as a solvent and is also found in

cleaning agents, cosmetics and personal care products, perfumes and rubbing

alcohol, beverages and medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products,

alcohol may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes

with an alcohol content of 25% or more have been implicated in oral cancers.

Poisoning symptoms include flushing, dizziness, depression, nausea, headaches,

and coma. Rubbing alcohol baths or sponges used to soothe a fever can lead to

acute poisoning through skin absorption or inhalation. Package warning suggest

using protective gloves, and using a well-ventilated area.

 

LANOLIN: - Highly contaminated with pesticides. According to Dr. Epstein, " Most

lanolin samples, at least 50 to 60%, are contaminated. "

 

LYE: also known as Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide. A highly

concentrated watery solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Lye is

combined with animal fats to make bar soaps, which may corrode and dry out the

skin. It is found in toothpaste, eye drops, and other personal care products.

The MSDS for it says " POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. May be fatal if swallowed,

harmful if inhaled. Causes burns to any area of contact, reacts with water,

acids, and other materials. " (MSDS Sodium Hydroxide #S4034)

 

Why is it included in toothpastes? The action of the lye helps remove stains and

discolorations on teeth. This seems to be an extreme way to get whiter teeth!

Sodium hydroxide is in drain cleaners and oven cleaners. You can buy lye -

sodium hydroxide- in the plumbing department of your hardware store. All these

products have the same warnings as that noted above, but there are no warnings

about Sodium Hydroxide on toothpaste tubes.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Certain ingredients are only chemically stable in products if the

pH (acid/base) is adjusted to the ideal pH. This is especially true of paraben

preservatives used in personal care products. In addition, the parabens work as

preservatives better in certain pH ranges. Often the amount of acid or base

needed to adjust the pH is only drops per 100 gallons of product. The MSDS of

these caustic substances are not reflective of just how safe they are after

being diluted in hundreds of gallons of product. Literally, they are safer than

water in these applications because they adjust the pH of the product to a

neutral pH for the skin, thus decreasing the likelihood of skin irritation.

There simply is no basis for criticizing the use of pH adjusters.

 

MINERAL OIL: - Smothers the skin. A derivative of crude oil (petrolatum) that is

used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms an

oily film over skin to lock in moisture, but traps in toxins and wastes, and

clogs your pores. It hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out. It

can promote acne and other disorders, and slows down normal cell development,

resulting in premature aging of the skin.

 

NITROSAMINE: - According to Dr. Epstein, " We've known since 1976 that DEA will

react with nitrites which are present, as preservatives or contaminants, in

personal care products, to produce a carcinogen known as nitrosodiethanolamine.

This is found in virtually any cosmetic that contains DEA. Consumers have been

exposed without any information and without any guidance whatsoever! In 1979 the

FDA warned the cosmetic industry that DEA was dangerous because of this. The

cosmetic industry ignored the warning! While over in Europe, strong action was

taken to phase out the use of DEA. " Padimate-O (also known as octyl dimethyl

PABA): Act by releasing nitrites which combine with DEA to form *nitrosamines.

Found in cosmetics, especially sunscreens. " The most prudent consumers will

prefer sunscreens without padimate-O, " states Dr. Epstein.

 

PARA-PHENYLENEDIAMINE DYES: - Carcinogenic when oxidized. According to Dr.

Epstein, " These are dyes which are extensively used in permanent black and dark

brown hair dyes which have been incriminated in a variety of cancers including

non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. "

 

PETROLATUM: - Smothers the skin. A petroleum-based grease that is used

industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same

potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.

 

PHTHALATES: - Phthalates are commonly found in cosmetic and personal care

products, especially nail polish, perfumes, hair sprays, and skin lotions, as

well as clothes, household cleaners and deodorizers, baby toys, garden hoses,

shower curtains, insect repellants, toothbrushes, food packaging, aspirin,

medical tubing and fluid bags, gum, candy, biodegradable tampon injectors, and

prescription medications.

 

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye

 

PROPYLENE GLYCOL: (PG) - PG is a strong skin irritant. A cosmetic form of

mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and industrial

antifreeze. In skin and hair care products, propylene glycol works as a

humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or

cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. Material Safety

Data Sheets (MSDS) warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as

this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. May

be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye

irritation, skin irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances,

nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system depression.

 

Check out your body lotions, deodorant, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, and

many more products! Molecular weight of PG is 60. (Ingredients with molecular

weight of 75 or lower enters our blood stream) Propylene glycol is also used as

a solvent in acrylics, stains, inks and dyes, and in cellophane and brake fluid.

It is used as a preservative in flavored coffee. PG can have an anesthetic

effect.

 

Other side effects on animals exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, stunted

growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death. BG - Butylene Glycol - is now

being used to replace PG in some personal care products, even though Butylene

Glycol is the only one of the glycols that has not been able to even get on the

GRAS List (Generally Recognized As Safe)

 

QUATERNIUM -15: - A formaldehyde donor Quanternium-15 is a preservative and

anti-microbial and a severe cause of dermatitis. It is also a teratrogen (causes

birth defects in animals) ( " A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients " ,

Ruth Winters, Three Rivers Press, 1999) According to Dr. Epstein, " This

ingredient is generally safe, BUT will break down in the bottle, or tube, or on

the skin to release formaldehyde for which the evidence of its carcinogenicity

is literally overwhelming.

 

" SODIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye

 

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS): andor SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS and SLES

are used as detergents, surfactants and foaming agents. These compounds can be

found in almost any kind of industrial cleaning agent. They are even more widely

used as major ingredients in cosmetics, hair conditioners, toothpaste, about 90%

of all shampoos, other products that foam (including those made especially for

babies), and in products designed to be left on the skin for an extended period

of time, for instance, bubble bath.

 

SLS is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver, which

may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause

cataracts in adults, and keep children's eyes from developing properly. In fact,

studies have shown that washing your hair one time with a shampoo containing

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate could put as many nitrates into your bloodstream as eating

a whole pound of bacon. And that is just ONE application. Molecular weight of

SLS is 40 (Ingredients with a molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood

stream)

 

SLES is " Contaminated with a very potent carcinogen; dioxane and very easily

absorbed through the skin, " states Dr. Epstein. SLES is the alcohol form

(ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause

more drying. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of

nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other

product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from

just one shampooing!

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac

Peacefulmind.com

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