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
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