Folks have a lot of questions about green cleaners. Most recently on the post, 25 Safe, Non-toxic, Homemade Cleaning Supplies, Tosha asked, “Does anyone know how long you can keep these products once you mix them?” Then Caroline followed up with, “I too am interested in knowing if you can mix a batch up and save it? Or do you have to mix and use immediately? No one has answered Tosha on this…and I would like to know too!”

The issue here is that there are 25 cleaners posted in that post – so as you might guess, each can have a varied shelf life. Since no one asked about specific cleaners, here’s a quick life-span primer on some of the cleaners (I’m guessing which ones people are interested in)…

Cleaner # 14 – Disinfectant all purpose cleaner: You can keep this mix of essential oil, water, and soap, until it’s all used up. To be honest, I actually just keep adding new stuff to the same bottle I’ve had around forever. No items in this mix will go bad. If you didn’t EVER use your mix, I’m guessing the essential oil component would eventually degrade or smell different, but I use mine daily, so I’ve never seen it happen.

Cleaner # 16 – Basic furniture polish: Mix fresh each time you use it. If you’ve got a little left over, and for sure will use it within a month, go ahead and keep it, but the olive oil won’t keep for longer.

Cleaner # 17 – Herbal disinfectant: The longest I’ve ever had this mix around is for a few months. By then I’ve used it mostly up and mix up a fresh batch. I don’t think anything bad will happen if you have it around longer, but the herbs may loose their herbal qualities.

Cleaner # 20 – Window / glass cleaner: This mix of vinegar and water will keep forever. At least in my experience. If a vinegar expert stops by, who knows, we may hear differently, but until then, I’m going with keep it until you use it up.

I hope this answers Tosha, Caroline, and anyone else wondering about these homemade mixes.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Here at Tree Hugging Family, I mainly advocate making your own homemade green cleaners. Not only is it easy to make simple green cleaners, but very cost effective. That said, there will always be folks who want to buy, not make cleaners, so I figured we should take a look at which store bought cleaners are actually green.

The number one rule for choosing a green store bought cleaner is – read your labels. A pretty waterfall or little green leaf means nothing. Ignore fancy ‘green’ packaging and read your labels.

Terms you want to see on a cleaning bottle include:

• Ammonia free
• Chlorine free
• Plant based
• Biodegradable
• Certified organic
• Solvent free
• Phosphate free
• Chemical free
• Fragrance free
• Dye and artificial color free

Of course, one cleaner may note that it’s got certified organic ingredients or that it’s fragrance free, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. You need to read the whole label, not simply go by the first thing you see.

Terms you DO NOT want to see on a cleaning bottle include:

• “Poison” or “Danger.” Federal law mandates that these terms indicate the highest possible level of hazard.
• “Caution” or “Warning,” both mean a product carries a moderate hazard.
• “Wear gloves” – “Only use in a well ventilated area” and other likewise terms are big baddies. I’m sorry, but if you need to wear gloves or a face mask in order to handle a product, right there it’s a bad idea.

Next check for full ingredient disclosure: If a product says something like, “Natural ingredients” or has a super scanty ingredient list, I’d be leery. They could do better. Some products may be just fine, and list their healthy ingredients at their website, but they should include them on the package.

Lastly check the packaging:

• Is it excessive?
• Is it recyclable?
• Is it refillable? Some co-ops do offer refillable cleaning products.

Is it worth it?

All in all, this is a lot of work just to find a green cleaner. You could just make most of your own. If you need help making homemade green cleaners (or help choosing a green conventional cleaner) read the following:

Basic green cleaning

• 25 Safe, Non-toxic, Homemade Cleaning Supplies
• Hot Water for Cleaning – Yeah It Works
• Breathe In Some Green Air
• Homemade Organic Liquid Handsoap
• Are Sponges A Great Green Choice?

Nice scents

• Homemade Spicy Apple Air Freshener
• Natural Air Fresheners
• Pennyroyal, Cinnamon, & Lavender Air Freshener

Laundry

• Solar Stain Fighting
• Green Product Review: Biokleen All Temperature Laundry Liquid

Dishes

• Green Product Review: Biokleen Automatic Dish Powder
• Green Product Review: Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel
• Seventh Generation Dishwasher Powder Review

Which cleaners do you buy vs. make?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

“Just thought you might like to know that regular Palmolive dish washing detergent also contains chlorine bleach. (I am looking at both labels right now) So at least with the “Eco” you are without the phosphates.From what I hear, 7th Gen does a horrible job at cleaning. Not sure about other alternatives.”

AND

“My friends have tried the no chlorine products (7th, Ecover, etc.) and they just don’t work. And Method also claims to be a natural brand, but they have plenty of non-natural stuff in their products (and people seem to love them). I don’t know, I’m going to try this eco+ stuff. It may not save the world, but it’s a lot closer than the rest of the mainstream products (and with any luck it will actually clean dishes).”

First off, I totally appreciate that people feel free to say what they want here. Believe me, the comments above are typical to what I hear from people out here in the real world. I always hear stuff like “Green cleaners don’t work – you can’t even smell them working” and “It seems too light too work.” Sigh. Green cleaners are in the minority for sure.

Here’s the deal though. A few select green friends of mine and me have been using green cleaners for years and years. They’ve worked just fine. Also, as you may have noticed, I haven’t been struck dead from germs that made it past my green cleaners. I seriously have to wonder why greener cleaners are working for some people and not others. What could possibly be on these people’s dishes that are creating this cleaning issue? One extremely simple solution is to quickly rinse your dishes after eating. Most dishwasher manuals say flat out, DO NOT load totally crusty gross dishes into the machine. (Ok, not in those words, but you get it).

Then there’s the whole issue brought up by both these comments above – a little eco is far better than no eco at all. Now, on one hand I agree. Small steps is what we push here at Tree Hugging Family. Small steps can make a difference. However, that said, I don’t agree with small greenwashing steps, not when there’s a much better green step available. Why use a product with bleach when there are products available without? Bleach is a big baddie. Bleach use is not a small step, better choice, or eco step at all for that matter. They don’t tell you to use arm length gloves and full ventilation when a product is safe.

Also, as I noted in the comments, I especially don’t agree when a major company like Palmolive promotes a product as green when it’s clearly not. This is a company who can really afford advertising, and might be able to persuade folks to go true green. They have the ability to make a huge difference, yet, here they come with their “eco” product that frankly, I wouldn’t even call light green. “At least” is pretty weak argument when their are companies who do “the most” they can each and every day.

What it comes down to.

All we can do here is tell you about the dangers of a product, tell you that they test on animals, or that the fumes may cause long term damage, it’s up to you how safe or ethically secure you feel with a certain product. We all make choices every day. Dish washing detergent is a small easy issue to deal with because there are better options already.

Here are some links:

To learn about eco cleaners that actually work visit Green Home Living Magazine – they tested a bunch of green cleaners and tell you which work and which don’t. Personally, I’ve tried a large majority of green cleaners including homemade, and most have worked well for me.

To learn about how safe a company is for your skin and health visit Skin Deep. You can enter a product and all the health hazards associated with a company or item from a company will pop up. Why not look up Palmolive and see their “green & healthy” score.

Toxic Nation – Pollution. Find out about common toxins and pollutions in your home and how they end up in your body.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Results of people who said cleaners are safe:

• Very safe (27%)
• Safe (58%)
• Not very safe (10%)
• Not at all safe (3%)

As far as traditional cleaners go, I really can’t agree that they’re safe. Frankly I’m shocked that so many people (over 80%) think that they are.

SDA announced it as something good – “More than eight out of ten Americans recognize that the cleaning products they buy are safe when used as directed.” It seems like a boost for the cleaning industry to me, and that’s about it. No mention of chemicals other than “don’t mix” – but even if you’re not playing Mr. Mix & Match the cleaning agents, you’re still using toxic, harmful chemicals. Your kids are still around dangerious fumes and chemicals.

In the press release, Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education notes, “The proper and safe use of cleaning products is as important as their effectiveness. We strongly encourage consumers to read the cleaning product label, use it properly and safely, and to store it securely.”

Well, as not the president of anything, but as someone who would love it if your kids were not exposed to icky chemicals, I strongly encourage you to use safer products than traditional store bought cleaners. This might be a good time to look back at some posts that discuss the problems with cleaner, and some other options.

How many cleaning supplies are under your sink that your child could safely drink?

The Dangers of Home Cleaning Supplies

Ditch the Air Fresheners

Natural Air Fresheners: Part Two

25 Safe, Non-toxic, Homemade Cleaning Supplies

Dryer Balls of PVC

AND I did this post somewhere else, but if you read it, I think you’ll realize that it points out a major issue related to safety and home cleaners: How to think like a child

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

• Less packaging waste. You’re not buying new bottles over and over.
• Less expensive. I actually started making homemade products before I was really all the way green – why? To save money.
• Less harmful (often not harmful at all) to humans, animals, and the earth.
• Less noxious home smell. Homemade natural cleaners always smell better than store bought. Well, except vinegar – but I have major vinegar issues. There are ways to mask the smell of vinegar though – not completely, but somewhat. Lavender essential oil and lemon juice both work some to hide the icky vinegar smell.

Here we go. Homemade cleaners, from basic recipes to a few that are more advanced…

1. Clogged sink and bathtub drains: prevent clogs altogether with the amazing drain trap. I’m shocked at how many people don’t use a drain trap. I got one at Home Depot for under two dollars – five years ago. If you have a sluggish drain, pour a cup of white vinegar plus one cup baking soda into the drain. Let that sit for a few minutes (it will bubble). Flush with a teapot full of boiling water. If you really have issues, use a snake or plunger. Drain cleaner is honestly something you should never have in your home – it’s hands down one of the more dangerous cleaning items.

2. Air freshening options: Light a natural candle, burn organic incense, boil orange peels and spices on your stove top, diffuse essential oils, open your windows, buy some air cleaning plants, use cedar blocks sprinkled with lavender in your closets, or make potpourri. Learn more:

• One Small Step: Ditch the Air Fresheners
• Natural Air Fresheners: Part Two

3. Soap scum removal: Apply baking soda (it is non abrasive). Scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. I have an older bristle brush I use for icky scum – like when I go to long without cleaning (bad me). You can use Borax or vinegar too; but Borax can scratch. Vinegar can be applied directly, left to sit, and scrubbed down.

4. Small carpet stain: Two words – club soda!

5. Bigger tougher carpet stains: Sprinkle Fuller’s earth or cornstarch onto the spot. Allow it to sit for about 20-30 minutes. Scrub with one cup vinegar mixed with three cups water. If it really won’t come out try a natural soap based carpet cleaner.

6. Carpet deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda around the room – my son thinks this is the most fun ever. Add some dried crushed lavender or basil. Wait about 1/2 hour. Vacuum.

7. Oven cleaning prevention: Don’t let spills sit. That’s the best cleaning procedure hand’s down. Clean the oven sooner rather than later. Line your oven bottom with foil to catch spills.

8. “Oh no, I didn’t follow the oven cleaning prevention tip above!”: Ok, if you have a hot spill, sprinkle it with salt. Mix some baking soda – I just toss maybe two tablespoons with into a cup, with some water to make a thin paste. Use an old toothbrush or bristle brush to scrub it down.

9. Everyday toilet cleaning: Sprinkle some baking soda and lemon juice into your toilet and walk away. Eventually you’ll want to return and scrub it with a toilet brush.

10. Bachelor pad toilet cleaning: No offense guys – I’ve seen my fair share of bachelor pads though. Spray vinegar around the bowl, sprinkle with baking soda, scrub.

11. Metal rust: Mix 2 tablespoons salt with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Apply and rub well.

12. Musty stuff: Say you have an old suitcase or truck that’s all musty, but you’d like to use it. Fill it with recycled crumpled newspaper let it sit for a week. The paper will absorb the smell (mostly) then, fill a mister bottle with water, add a few drops of tea tree oil, lightly spray the case and leave it open to dry.

13. Burnt food or fishy kitchen smells: Set aside a thrift store pie plate for times like these. Sprinkle the pan with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of orange essential oil – place in the warm oven, and let it sit as the oven cools.

14. Disinfectant all purpose cleaner: Mix a few drops of natural soap, 2 cups water, and 15 drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oil (you can use just the one oil- but 30 drops, I just like the mix). You can spray this on all surfaces, like cutting boards, counters, toilets, walls, (except it will streak glass). This stuff disinfects but is so safe you can actually spray it on your baby – you can’t say that about most commercial household cleaners.

15. Mold removal: Try not to let mold invade your home. You can prevent it – believe me I lived on the cold, foggy, always wet beach in Humboldt, you CAN prevent mold. Clean often with the disinfectant above and scrub down places that might develop mold with Borax once in a while. Borax will prevent mold and disinfect.

16. Basic furniture polish: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 3/4 cup olive oil OR mix 1/4 cup lemon juice with 1/2 cup olive oil. Wipe down furniture with a soft cloth and the solution.

17. Herbal disinfectant: Choose one fresh herb – lavender, eucalyptus, juniper, sage, thyme, or rosemary. Simmer the leaves and stems for 30 minutes. You can use any amount of water, but the less you use the stronger the solution and disinfectant properties. Strain, pour liquid into bottle, and use on any surface but glass. If you add a dash of natural soap or biodegradable dish detergent it will cut grease.

18. Homemade herbal scouring pad: Horsetail stems are just like a scouring pad for pots and pans and won’t scratch. Simply rub a handful of dried (leafless) stems on the pots and pans. It will leave a bit of a green color – but that washes right off in water. Since you’re washing dishes anyhow it won’t be an issue.

19. Wood floor wax: Mix equal parts olive oil and vinegar. Apply a very thin coat and rub -you can simply stand on an old towel and sort of surf around the floor.

20. Window / glass cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with one gallon water – spray and wipe.

21. Glass cleaner that does not smell like gross old vinegar: Use straight up lemon juice or club soda. If you use club soda than newspaper is the best scrubber to use. If you use lemon juice than use an old less linty cloth.

22. Sink cleaner: Scrub with baking soda and water.

23: Microwave cleaning: Place a bowl of straight vinegar or a bowl of water with 15 drops tea tree oil in the microwave. heat for about 2 minutes. Microwave will steam itself and be easy to wipe out with a wet cloth. I don’t have a microwave, but I did this at my friend’s house and it worked.

24. Silver polish: Rub silver with plain old toothpaste and rinse with water.

25. All over home cleaning: Never underestimate good old hot water and some scrubbing. If you really want to get fancy add a few drops of natural soap, but honestly hot water will clean just about anything. Alone it won’t completely disinfect, but it does kill many germs and removes dust. Hot water is especially useful for basic floor mopping.

Whew, that should at least get you going.

What natural cleaning products do you make at home?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family