Switch to a natural all-purpose cleaner
Why This is Green
Conventional all-purpose cleaners meant to make our homes look their best actually pollute them, us, and the environment. They contain a whole host of hazardous, often petroleum-derived, chemicals including ammonia, glycol ethers, synthetic fragrances, and the synthetic antibacterial agent triclosan—which have been linked to cancer, asthma, hormone disruption, liver and kidney damage, and more. If ammonia mixes with chlorine bleach, it releases highly toxic chloramine gas.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to find out what a cleaner contains as cleaning product formulas are currently considered government-protected trade secrets. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose their contents to consumers. So they don’t. To avoid hazardous ingredients, look for warning labels on conventional products (bottles marked “danger” “poison” “toxic” and “hazardous” should be left on the store shelf).
Even better? Switch to a natural cleaner. Natural cleaning product companies usually willingly disclose ingredients on their plant-based cleaners. Seek these out. Your house and lungs will thank you, and, because they help keep wastewater clean, so will the fish.
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How To
Read ingredients on products, not marketing language. A bottle may be stamped with a green certification label that was made up by the company selling the product, not a third-party certifier. Buyer beware.
If a product doesn’t have an ingredient list, don’t purchase it.
Making your own all-purpose cleaner is simple. In a spray bottle, mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Or Google one of the many DIY “recipes” calling for 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
