It's not like I make a regular habit of spring cleaning. It really is more of a coincidence that we happen to be doing a big purge/clean while it is spring. It is timely though because there seems to be a wealth of green cleaning information popping up—like someone has been reading my bloggy mind!
As I was about to research non-toxic ways to clean mold, I came across this article from the Green Guide which lists the top cleaning product ingredients to avoid. I love handy lists like that!
I also checked some of my books to see what anti-mold solutions I could conjure up. Some suggested solutions are borax (which inhibits mold growth) and/or vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle.
I found a recipe for this in "Clean and Green" by Annie Berthold-Bond:
1 teaspoon borax
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups hot tap water
spray bottle
Place the borax and vinegar in teh spray bottle. Dissolve the borax by puring hot tap water over it. Shake to mix. Spray this formula onto mold growing areas of the bathroom and leave on without rinsing.
I'll give it a try and let you know how it works!
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12 comments:
I'll be curious to see how this works and may try it this weekend, too. We've been looking for a "healthy/green" alternative to things like Comet for the shower, etc. and so far haven't come up with anything great...
Thanks, as usual!
I think alternatives to comet should be plentiful. There's the mid-range improvement, such as Mrs. Meyers. Boy, those smell good! But they cost a bunch.
There is also BonAmi, which I have not tried but is often listed as a safe product. You can also try baking soda, but I hear it is best on white bathrooms. We have a shower with grey tiles and I think it leaves a white-ish residue.
psst...just saw this article on cleaning bathrooms. good info!
http://www.thegreenguide.com//doc/Mag1/bathroom?source=ggrss
I clean with a vapor steam cleaner. The best green cleaner around!!! No chemicals, no odors, nothing but water turned to steam. Sanitizes everything and so easy to do!
Didn't know about BonAmi being okay; I will check it out. Mrs. Meyers does smell so good (love the lemon verbena!) but hard to get around here, unfortunately...they do make a nice scrub, though!
Do you remake your vinegar cleaners frequently? We've been finding that they get a little, uh, stinky after a few days.
You have some wonderful resources! Thank you for being so thorough in your research. Though some of the products that are listed by others are good, nothing compares to Shaklee's Get Clean series. For all green mom's out there that are concerned with toxic products in the home, visit:
http://www.shaklee.net/lauraland/prodHou.
They have THE best stuff on the planet and for the planet. Their products are also tougher than your typical, toxic cleaner.
This link provides a real eye-opener to all of the toxic stuff we keep under our sinks:
http://www.shaklee.net/lauraland/gc_yourhome1
If you are a stay at home mom or work from home, you should consider making the switch. Not to scare anyone, but according to a 15-year study presented at the Toronto Indoor Air Conference, women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The study concluded that this was a direct result of the increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products.
More than 9 out of every 10 suspected poison exposures occur at home with household products.
This is crazy! These companies are hurting our friends and family at alarming rates and we're paying them to do it!
Mom Go Green, I am so happy that you are putting this information out there for others to see. God bless you and your endeavors!
Just like I won't buy Method because they do not disclose ingredients, I am leary about Shaklee. It is a shame because people swear by their products. However, I am just not willing to buy products based on "faith" that a company is eco-friendly! I want proof in labeling.
Changing cleaning ingredients was a slow process for me, I was rather addicted to what I thought was a fast clean, time saver um.. tradition (?).
This year I took the plunge and don't regret it. A little baking soda and water cleaned my sinks and tub with one swipe, something even bleach products had trouble doing before. Lemons removes hardwater from my tea kettles. Vinegar does wonders on my glass. On and on... gotta say I'm loving the clean and natural, non-toxic way of spring cleaning!
You have impeccable timing. I'm on a crazy cleaning jag so I'll give your ideas a go! I found a great printable fold-out card full of green cleaning ideas online at http://www.oeconline.org/kidshealth/tinyfootprints.
The card also includes recipes for furniture polish, tub cleanser and many other options. Check it out! We also write about creating your own green cleaning products for less at http://greenbabyguide.com. I agree that baking soda beats Bon Ami any day!
Check out http://greenbabyguide.com. They are sponsoring a giveaway of greener cleaners in exchange for your eco-confessions. Your cleaning closet confession just might earn you some Shaklee products!
Hi All! I am surprised that no one has mentioned Seventh Generation products! They list ALL of the ingredients in their products AND they are 100% eco-friendly. Check out their website at http://seventhgeneration.com It is a great site packed full of information.
I love the Shaklee cleaning products. They work well and aren't toxic (such as borax and products with scents), but my Shaklee cleaning solution (which you dilute with water) has developed mold inside the spray bottle!
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