WORRY

My post on Anxiety, June 29, 2011, can help when
you're in this place.
Dr. Jeanne

NATURAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS - PART 2

I’m back with a few more suggestions for getting your home as clean as possible with as few toxic chemicals as possible.  I’m figuring this out with you.  So, as I find solutions that work for me I will pass them on.

Since my first article I’ve been asked what I use to wash dishes.  After trying several brands I like Seventh Generation’s Natural Dish Liquid.  I like the mild fragrance of Lemongrass & Clementine Zest.  However, a fragrance free version is available. 

You can add a few drops of Lemon essential oil for a scent and/or an anti-bacterial essential oil like Thieves from Young Living Oils.  I usually add 20 drops of concentrated Grapefruit Seed Extract (GFS) to kill bacteria, viruses and fungus.  My soap dispenser holds about 12 ounces of soap. 

These suggestions are better than using the Triclosan that is added to many cleaning products like dish washing soap to kill bacteria.   It’s currently under review by the FDA.

Another thought- too much protection from bacteria can cause antibiotic resistance.  I like the GFS because I feed my cats raw food and I’m conscious of the bacteria that can grow on raw meat.

While I’m writing about the kitchen I want you to be aware of the greatest germ carrier in your home- the sponge.  All the little nooks and crannies in a sponge make it the perfect place for food to hide and rot.  Your sponge should never smell!  If it does, Throw It Out.    Studies show that there are more germs in your sponge than in a flushed toilet! 

The same studies look at different modes of cleaning the sponge.  The top method is a 1:9 combination of bleach in water. You soak the sponge for at least 20 minutes.  This is more successful than boiling.  The next cleaning method is the microwave oven.  You saturate the sponge with water and “cook” for 2 minutes (50% bacteria free) or 5 minutes (97% bacteria free).  If your sponge contains plastic it will melt.  If there is any metal in the scrubber material on one side it will short out the oven.  We eliminated our microwave many years ago.  Although it’s convenient, plants given only micro waved water will die.  That’s a post for another time.  I change to a new sponge once a week.

I  recommend that you switch to a plastic cutting board.  Wooden boards are very porous and hold germs.  They are a common place for salmonella and e. coli bacteria to grow if you use it to cut chicken or meat.   Plastic boards can be washed and periodically soaked like the sponges.

My last suggestion has to do with Disinfecting Wipes.  I use these sparingly because I want to maintain my immune system’s ability to kill germs.  I wipe out the cat box with one when I change the cat litter.  Occasionally, I use one on the toilet seat or faucets when someone is sick.

I’ve found three brands that I like.  None of them use Triclosan or other toxic chemicals for disinfecting. 

Lysol makes Power Free Toilet and Bathroom wipes with Hydrogen Peroxide.  I like this one but I’m hoping they will offer an unscented variety soon.  Clorox makes Green Works Compostable Cleaning Wipes.  And, Seventh Generation makes a good one that eliminates 99.99% of the germs with botanical ingredients- it doesn’t smell great (thyme). 

Germs hang around the house in places that we touch often: door knobs, faucet handles, cabinet handles, remote controls, telephones, cell phones, computer keys and the computer mouse.  Wipe these down with soapy water, especially during the flu season and wash your hands that touch all these things often.

I hope these products will help you in your search for a less toxic house.  I would love to hear about any cleaning products or home recipes for cleaning that you found effective. 

Dr. Jeanne