HOME, sweet, home -- or home, toxic home? We are bombarded with ads for an ever-increasing assortment of harsh cleaning products that promise to melt dirt away without scrubbing and wipe out every possible evil bacteria lurking in our kitchens.
But while our houses may shine brighter than ever before, they may also be a haven for harmful chemicals with the potential to endanger our health and the environment.
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To keep your home free of harmful chemicals health advocates recommend switrching to greener cleaning products that are biodegradable and do not contain synthetic chemicals.
Many cleaning products contain corrosive ingredients, petroleum-based chemicals and suspected carcinogens that can build up in our bodies, pollute the air and contaminate waterways.
Consequently, there has been a strong push among environmentalists and health advocates to switch to greener cleaning products that are biodegradable and do not contain synthetic chemicals.
"We are creating a toxic soup in our homes," says Kristle Calisto-Tavares, who runs Winnipeg-based Inspired Practice, a company that helps organizations become more socially, ecologically and economically sustainable.
"People have become so afraid of germs that they feel they have to use these toxic cleaners. Unfortunately they don't realize the potential damage they are doing to their health, in terms of their exposure to chemicals, the effect on indoor air quality, and the impact on the environment when all these cleaners are poured down drains."
Studies have shown that indoor air can be anywhere from two to 11 times more polluted than outdoor air due to toxic compounds.
For example, many bathroom cleaners and automatic dishwasher detergents contain chlorine bleach, a hazardous air pollutant in its own right, that can react with chemicals in the environment to form dioxin, a hormone disrupter than can build up in our tissues and infect the air.
Ammonia, a common ingredient in household cleaners, is a suspected carcinogen, that stays in the air for up to four hours after being sprayed in the house and can corrode lungs.
Many household cleaners also contain sodium lauryl sulphate, a harsh foaming agent and suspected cancer-causing agent, which was originally used as a garage floor cleaner and is very harsh on the skin.
Jay Boschman, who has spent the last 36 years working as a Manitoba pharmacist, says we should be switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products for the health of our families and for the sake of our lakes and rivers.
"The No. 1 toxic product in the home and a potential cancer-causing agent is automatic dishwasher detergent," says Boschman, who is a preferred customer with EcoSense, a line of green cleaning products that is sold online.
"It vents into the air and if you can smell it, you are inhaling it and those chemicals are stored in your body. I am trying to get people to realize that there are non-toxic, phosphate-free products on the market that we can use to improve our health and flush less phosphates and toxic chemicals down our drains."
Phosphates -- which are found in automatic dishwasher detergent -- have become a cause for concern because of its impact on waterways, such as Lake Winnipeg. While phosphates are a nutrient essential to human, animal and plant life, when too much phosphorus and nitrogen load up in waterways it creates algae blooms which deplete oxygen from the water, killing live organisms.
William Barlow, chair of the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board says that there are many ways phosphorus enters our waterways (lawn fertilizers, inadequate sewer systems, manure from agricultural land, to name a few), but if Manitobans stopped using automatic dishwasher detergent containing phosphates it would be a big step in the right direction.
"If you think of how many dishwashers there are in Winnipeg alone, it adds up," he explains.
"As individuals we have to take some of the blame and do our part."
■ cheryl.binning@freepress.mb.ca
Homemade Household Cleaner Recipes
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER - Mix 125 ml (1/2 cup) pure soap (or soap flakes) with 50 ml (1/4 cup) lemon juice and 4 L (1 gallon) of hot water
CARPET CLEANER - Lightly sprinkle cornstarch and/or baking soda over carpet, rub it in and then vacuum in one hour. Or combine 125 ml (1/2 cup) dish detergent with 600 ml (1 pint) of boiling water, cool, whip into stiff foam and apply with damp cloth. For tough stains try using cold soda water or blot area with vinegar and soapy water.
DISINFECTANT - Mix 5 ml (1 tsp.) borax, 30 ml (2 tbs.) vinegar and 50 ml (1/4 cup) soap with 500 ml (2 cups) hot water.
DRAIN CLEANER - Pour 50 ml (1/4 cup) baking soda and 50 ml (1/4 cup) of salt down the drain. Add 125 ml (1/2 cup) of vinegar and cover with stopper. Wait 15 minutes then flush with boiling water.
DUSTING SPRAY - 5 ml (1 tsp.) olive oil and 125 ml (1/2 a cup) of vinegar applied with a soft cloth.
FABRIC SOFTENER - Add 50 ml (1/4 cup) vinegar to the final rinse cycle.
FLOOR CLEANER - Combine 125 ml (1/2 cup) of hydrogen peroxide, 50 ml (1/4 cup) vinegar, 50 ml (1/4 cup) washing soda and 4 L (1 gallon) of warm water. Or try just 125 ml (1/2 cup) of vinegar with 4 L (1 gallon) of water.
FURNITURE POLISH - Dissolve 5 ml (1 tsp.) lemon oil in 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable oil and apply with clean rag.
GLASS CLEANER - Mix 125 ml (1/2 cup) white vinegar with 4 L (one gallon) warm water.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT - Mix one part borax with 1/4 part washing soda.
OVEN CLEANER - Apply a paste of baking soda and water; let sit overnight; remove with soapy cloth.
PORCELAIN STAIN REMOVER - Combine borax and lemon juice into a paste. Let the mixture sit for two hours and then scrub object.
STARCH - Mix 15 ml (1 tbs.) cornstarch with 600 ml (1 pint) of cold water.
TUB AND TILE CLEANER - Use a firm bristle brush with baking soda and all-purpose cleanser. To clean grout use 3 parts baking soda mixed with 1 part water.
UPHOLSTERY CLEANER - Combine 50 ml (1/4 cup) liquid soap with 45 ml (3 tbs..) water. Rub soap mixture on furniture. Rinse with a sponge.
--courtesy of Kristle Caliso-Tavares, owner of Inspired Practice
Eco friendly cleaning product lines
ECO FRIENDLY Cleaning Product Lines
HERE are some of the green product lines available and where you can pick them up. (due to space restrictions not every brand or store can be mentioned.)
CITRA-SOLV
Biodegradable cleaners that are not tested on animals, without harsh chemicals or petroleum products. Order online at www.citra-solv.com
ECOVER
Cleaning products made from plant-based ingredients, completely biodegradable, not tested on animals and packaged in recycled cardboard. Available at Organza (230 Osborne St.), EatIt.ca (603 Wall St.), Vita Health locations, and online at www.ecover.com
MELALEUCA ECOSENSE
Cleaning products that use natural cleansing agents and solvents to break down stains. Also natural disinfectant sprays made from plant extracts and non-chlorine bleach alternatives. Available online at www.melaleuca.com
or wholesale prices available with a $39 annual membership fee and referral. For more info on memberships, contact boschman@mts.net
METHOD
Cleaning products derived from plant-based ingredients, biodegradable, and in recyclable packaging. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Safeway stores or online at www.methodhome.com
NATURE CLEAN
Cleaning products that biodegrade within 28 days. Available at Organic Planet (877 Westminster Ave.) Aviva (Exchange District and St. Vital locations), VitaHealth (221 McPhillips), Meyers Drugs (483 William), Organza (230 Osborne), EatIt.ca (603 Wall St.) and Humboldt's Legacy (887 Westminster Ave.), Vita Health locations in Winnipeg and online at www.naturecleanliving.com
NORWEX
Microfibre cleaning cloths and mops (use dry or wet with water) that contain an environmentally friendly antibacterial agent (made from silver particles) to remove 99% of bacteria from surfaces and sponge up dirt, grease and grime without the use of any cleansers. Sold by party consultants, at trade shows or through catalogue sales. Go to www.norwex.ca to find a local supplier. Also can be ordered through EatIt.ca
SEVENTH GENERATION
Non-toxic household cleaning products made from renewable and biodegradable ingredients. Go to www.seventhgeneration.com for more info. Available at Organza, EatIt.ca (603 Wall St.), Aviva (Exchange District and St. Vital locations and online at www.aviva.ca and Vita Health locations.
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