EWG's Guide to Green Cleaners
The Environmental Working Group is concerned about toxic substances found in household products that we use every day, which are linked to health problems, including asthma, allergies, and cancer.
The EWG has created an online guide, EWG's 2012 Guide to Healthy Cleaning, which rates over 2000 household products with grades for safety from A to F.
Some substances to avoid include formaldehyde (a carcinogen), 1,4-dioxane (a suspected carcinogen), chloroform (a suspected carcinogen), benzalkonium chloride (can cause asthma), and sodium borate (can disrupt the hormone system.)
Some green brands they recommend include Green Shield Organic and Whole Foods' Green Mission.
What are your favorite green cleaning products?
Comments
Natural Cleaners
I use natural cleaners wherever I can. Mainly it is vinegar mixed with water for most surfaces and for tough to scrub places I use baking soda instead of any chemical cleaner. So much more economical and much safer!
Hi Zi,
That's a good idea. I've been using vinegar and water on my wood floors, and it works beautifully.
I have noticed my own gradual
I have noticed my own gradual switch over to 'greener' products over the years. I use some Chlorox Green Works products, Eco (laundry and dish detergent), and many Costco's Kirkland brand 'green' cleaners--because otherwise retail natural cleaners are very expensive.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for the recommendations--I didn't realize that Costco had green cleaners. I need to check them out!
I'm actually making my own
I'm actually making my own cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils like tea tree oil. It's been great and I don't freak out when the kids try to use it too.
Hi Tracey,
I need to look into these essential oils--I'd love to be able to mask the vinegar scent when I do my cleaning.
I found a great "recipe" on
I found a great "recipe" on Pinterest to make your own orange cleaner. Put 2 orange peels in jar of white vinegar. After a couple of days, remove peels and you have orange cleaner to spritz on counters. It actually smells quite orange-y and works great!
Hi PragmaticMom,
Thanks--that sounds like a great solution.
This is a great guide, but
This is a great guide, but I'm wanting to start making my own!
Hi Lisacng,
Yes--that makes a lot of sense!
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