Carrots, Chlorine, & Kids, Oh My!

The internet is great for sharing information. Unfortunately, it's equally great at sharing misinformation. And as we all know, a little information can be a dangerous thing.

Once again, the email about baby carrots is circulating. This says that it's from a farmer and gives some fancy labels explaining that baby carrots are "dipped in a solution of water and chlorine to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in pools)." Some of the emails claim the carrots are not real and call them "practically plastic" and others say they are deformed carrot mutations and that is why they are cut up into baby carrots. Even better it goes on to say "You will notice that once you keep the carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?" After reading that, how can we feed this to our precious kids?

I checked on snopes and there are some valid points and some clear non-truths. That is in addition to the spelling error for aesthetically. I also took this a step further contacted Bunny-Luv the maker of the organic baby carrots directly and learned:

1. The white residue is evidence of dehydration not chlorine.
   
   
2. Chlorine is not a preservative and cannot be used as a preservative, it has not preservative qualities.
   
   
3. Grimmway/Bunny-Luv uses the same amount of chlorine found in your regular drinking/tap water NOT the levels from a pool. So if you wash your food under your tap water, you are doing the same thing.
   
   
4. Baby carrots are NOT plastic or practically plastic or deformed carrots, they are big carrots cut to size.
   
   
5. Baby Carrots are not cut from mutant carrots, they are just created from regular larger carrots or the tops after processing carrots for other things like frozen or shredded carrots.

This was the response from Grimmway/Bunny-Luv:

"We do use chlorinated water in the processing of our carrots; HOWEVER, the amount of chlorine used is only 4ppm (parts per million) which is the same standard for household tap water. If you wash your vegetable under running water from your faucet, you are getting the same amount of chlorine we use.

Chlorine is not a preservative as it has no preservative qualities. It is used to kill any bacteria that may be present on the surface of the carrot. The dry white that can appear on carrots is not chlorine residue; it is simply evidence of dehydration. Cut and peel any carrot and allow it to sit for awhile and it will turn white. I hope this answers your question."

So baby carrots, at least organic ones, are safe to eat and are a good food to feed our children.

HOWEVER, it is true that Chlorine is a carcinogen. Chlorine is probably the most widely used toxic chemical. It is used in clothing, paper products, laundry bleach, cleaners and scouring pads. We use it to clean, we add it to our pools, we add it to our laundry to get our whitest whites.

Chlorine is readily absorbed through the skin and is toxic when inhaled. Chlorine Bleach, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Hypochlorite, and Sodium Hydroxide can irritate lungs, burn eyes, skin and internal organs (if swallowed). Chlorine can react with other chemicals, like ammonia, to damage lungs. In fact, it was used full strength as a weapon to destroy the lungs of soldiers in WWI.

Once Chlorine gets into our environment, it forms cancer-causing compounds. It is a "hazardous pollutant" according to the Clean Air Act and is on EPA's Right To Know List. It is the chemical most involved (tops the list for children) in poisonings, injuries and even death. Studies show a link between dioxins and cancer as well as reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, and a weakened immune system.

We should make the effort to eliminate it from our laundry, cleaning, and washing. We should also take steps to eliminate it from our showers (which are a toxic mix of chlorine heated next to vinyl shower curtains – a horrible combination - that's another post!)

We buy baby carrots because they are convenient. We can add them to soups and stews. They are an easy kid-friendly snack. They are great for dips and the crudites platter. They save us time from peeling and washing and therefore allow us to add a vegetable to our day easily, even on the go.

Baby carrots are a REAL FOOD made more convenient and much better than opening a bag of chips or pretzels. Please don't stop eating carrots. But do take steps to take chlorine out of your life where possible.

This is part of

Let's Clear the Air

I love to travel and explore with my family. At the same time I dread it - being out of my comfort zone, being away from my kitchen where I prepare meals that nourish our bodies with good food and our souls with tradition, and stepping into the unknown of chemicals and cleaners used at the place where we will rest our heads.

Since we've stopped using chemicals and have been eating real food, we notice it, even the kids do. Walking into a shoe or toy store makes our eyes water with all the off-gassing. It's amazing what we can subject our bodies to, lack of nutrition, bombarding it with chemicals and disease, and our lovely bodies continue to function. Our family, thankfully, is more in tune so we can make better decisions knowing what's good and not.

We realize this and are more accepting of the outside world when we travel but there is one thing we cannot tolerate. And you shouldn't either. When you think about it, it's an amazing invention that never existed and now has become a necessary element in making a house a home.

Sprays, plug-ins, plug-ins that self-spray, odor neutralizers, air sanitizers, and aromatherapy candles in just the right scent are all there, something for everyone. Air fresheners seem to work to help erase the smells in the room and clean the air, but actually they work on us. The chemicals coat our nasal passages with a film that deadens the nerve endings. They mask the problem and fool us into thinking the room is fresh, the smell we have learned to mean clean.

The ingredients are toxic and may include things like formaldehyde, fragrance, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, and naphthalene, among others. Aside from causing asthma and allergies, many of these chemicals are known carcinogens that lead to cancer and birth defects. Many attack the central nervous system which can lead to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, or SIDs in infants. Children are particularly susceptible to poor air quality which can lead to a host of diseases and premature death. Sound clean to you?

Air fresheners and room deodorizers actually create air pollution. When used in a confined area, like our homes, places of work, or cars, they create an intense amount of toxins in a small area. The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality among the top five environmental health risks to the public. Pollution indoors is oftentimes worse (sometimes up to 500 times worse!) than the pollution outdoors! Sure, tobacco smoke indoors is a horrible contributor to that, but aside from that, indoor pollution is primarily the cause of all the things we use to clean our homes and make our homes smell good. In aerosol form the dangers are multiplied because of the micro-particles that are created of the chemicals that can then enter our bloodstream.

Many natural and health food stores sell aromatherapy candles. Traditional candles are made of paraffin wax, a by-product of the gasoline industry, a petrochemical. The fragrance is either artificial, once again a petro-chemical and many not suited for combustion, or a pure essential oil which, when burned, no longer offers the therapeutic effect and actually converts into unhealthy byproducts. Scented paraffin candles usually contain metal or lead core wicks creating unsafe lead concentrations when burned. 100% of the lead that is inhaled when the candle is burned ends up in the bloodstream which can be particularly damaging to, you guessed it, growing children. What is not inhaled immediately attaches to furniture and walls to be inhaled or ingested later. The black soot created from burning traditional, and especially scented, candles is toxic. According to the American Lung Association - "scented, paraffin candles cause lead poisoning and using slow burning paraffin candles cause poor indoor air quality, and a serious health concern." Once again, instead of freshening the air, they work to mask the odor while adding poisons to the air we breathe in the comfort of our own homes.

Unplug them, stop buying them, save your money and instead, really freshen your air:

• clean instead of masking the odor, use nontoxic cleaners
• open the windows for real fresh air (if you're not in a high rise with smokers on the patio above or below you, or up against a busy street, of course)
  
• empty the garbage frequently and get rid of rotting meats and vegetables
• burn 100% pure UNSCENTED beeswax candles with 100% cotton wicks - not only is it the best alternative to traditional paraffin candles, but pure beeswax candles actually do purify and clean the air and add a warm golden glow
  
• use the box of open baking soda trick from your fridge in closets and bathrooms or put a half a cup of vinegar in the smelly room to absorb the odor
• use a drop or two of pure essential oils in a mister filled with distilled water and spritz
• simmer spices like cinnamon and cloves in a little water on the stovetop
• simmer 3 - 5 organic lemons cut in fourths in clean water for 30 minutes to an hour
• simmer crushed or cut fresh ginger in some water
• simmer herbs like rosemary or basil
• boil some water and then add a drop or two of your favorite pure essential oil(s)
• dab pure organic cotton balls with orange, vanilla, lavender, or lemon extracts or essential oils and place them around the house
• use organic herbal sachets and potpourris or run your fingers against pots of fresh herbs that you keep in the house to release their scent
  
• add potted plants to your room to clear carbon dioxide and other toxins naturally
• use volcanic rocks to absorb the odors
• get freshly cut fragrant organic flowers
• cook or bake, toast up dried spices in a pan, put something in the oven - create a delicious meal and you'll make the house smell good and fill happy tummies with something delicious -it's amazing how aromas of food can fill the air and create memories for our children.

This is part of Natural Body Care Products for Real Foodies for

Join at Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Your Biggest Organ

This is usually one of the last things we change. We get attached to name brands, the smells, and how they make us look and feel. But the fact is that more chemicals get into our body through our skin, our biggest organ, than through eating or what we breathe.

Children and teens are especially susceptible to chemicals. While the FDA does test chemicals and additives to see if they cause cancer, they do not look at the effects these chemicals may have on our growing children. In fact, children products are notoriously toxic. They do not test how it may accumulate in children. They do not test the hormonal effects or potential learning disabilities associated with additives. And then there is the potential problems missed from mixing chemicals by exposure to a variety over a short period of time.

The list of chemicals in any one product is staggering, just look at an ingredient list and try and pronounce them all. Most ingredients that are listed are harmful chemicals proven to cause cancer and birth defects. According to the Environmental Defense Group, some 78% of the chemicals in personal care products have not even been tested for toxicity. While Europe has stricter standards, the U.S. government does not police all chemical ingredients in personal care items. Companies are allowed to do it because it's only a "minute amount" of this or that bad chemical. The theory is that a little bit can't hurt. But the reality is that all those minute amounts are compounded into all the luscious creams, lotions, shampoos, perfumes, sprays, deodorants, cosmetics. On top of that, we use these products daily, thus compounding the cocktail of chemicals into our body on a regular basis. And, unbeknownst to us, the ingredient list doesn't include everything because many combinations are protected as "trade secret."

But we can take steps to safeguard ourselves. Choose companies that take an interest in our health, not just their bottom line in creating effective yet safe products:

• Aubrey Organics
• Badger Balm
• Dr. Bronner's
  
• Earth Mama Angel Baby
• Kiss My Face
• Mercola
  
• MyChelle
• Terressentials
• Weleda

Tips to remember when shopping:

1. Labels on the front are for sales purposes when it comes to personal care items. Organic does not necessarily mean safe for personal care products. It's a marketing ploy. There are currently no certifications for personal care products to be organic, though it is in the works. Choose companies that truly offer organic ingredients not just an organic smattering so they can highlight that on their label or, my favorite, when they say it's 90% organic because it's, oh, 90% water infused with organic essential oil.
   
2. Make sure your hair coloring is lead-free free and read to avoid other harmful chemicals.
3. Personal care items should be free of Sodium-Laureth/Lauryl Sufite or SLS and Parabens, and other harmful chemicals.
4. Lipstick does indeed get ingested as we eat, drink, kiss, and lick our lips . Many lipsticks contain lead. Choose lipstick with ingredients that you would eat since after all, you are going to eat it.
   
5. Choose nail polish that is formaldehyde and toluene free.
6. Perfumes can include a laundry list of items not on the label. Most include hormone disrupters, phthalates, and artificial fragrances. Phthlates are known hormone disrupters leading to issues in fertility; they have been linked to birth defects. Once you understand what's in there, the aroma won't be as alluring. Choose pure essential oils instead.
7. If pregnant, you are sharing what you spray and put on your skin so choose carefully for the health and safety of your wee one.

Or try doing without commercial products altogether. One Generation has great posts on making your own homemade safe and effective:

• deodorant
• shampoo
  

Recently, a friend of ours commented that my family's hair looked great. I laughed. We recently started no-pooing and me with my very curly hair always had frizzy in the humid south Florida climate and now no extra products and no frizz - just simple baking soda/water combo and rinse with vinegar/water/vanilla bean solution. The kids are doing it too and some are happy not to have to wash their hair anymore.

Link for more information:

• Skin Deep, Environmental Working Group
• Are Your Products Safe?, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
• Come Clean Campaign, Organic Consumers Association
  

This post is part of two Carnivals:

Getting Human is the topic for today at

and

Join the Real Food Wednesday Carnival by heading over to Kelly the Kitchen Kop for Natural Body Care Products for Real Foodies and Join the Works For Me Wednesday Carnival by going to We Are That Family.

Come Clean Now - Green Spring Cleaning

We did it cold turkey. We just stopped buying all the "brand" name cleaners. It was a bit strange. It was many years ago when we had a housekeeper. Talk about a deer caught in the headlights!

She resisted hard. She even went out and bought some products herself but we made it clear that this was our new reality. Slowly we all learned how to use safer brands and regular household items we had on hand to clean.

Turns out that smell we have been taught is "clean" is actually toxic. We have to retrain our sniffer once we stop using chemical cleaners. Standard cleaning products are linked to infertility, asthma, and cancer. These strong chemicals can be especially dangerous to our children. According to a 1991 study, we use more than 25 gallons of toxic products per year in our homes. Indoor air pollution is often much worse than the pollution outdoors; this is due in large part to the cleaning products and air fresheners, but also is due to burning scented candles and off-gassing of new items in our home. These smells are harmful to us, our children, and our environment.

To make your home truly clean and healthy, make changes slowly. For many of us, changing brands and the way we clean (as well as the choice we make in our personal care items) is the last thing to change. It's hard to do it differently than the way our mother did it. But I encourage you to join me and many others in making this change. Do it for your health, the health of your family, and to tread lighter on the planet. Start with the worst offender, Chlorine.

Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) is one of the most widely used toxins for cleaning. Chlorine can react with other chemicals, like ammonia, to damage lungs and the fumes are possible carcinogens. Once Chlorine gets into our environment, it forms cancer-causing compounds. Studies show a link between dioxins and cancer as well as reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, and a weakened immune system. It is listed as a "hazardous pollutant" according to the Clean Air Act and is on EPA's Right To Know List.

Chlorine is used in clothing, paper products, swimming pools, laundry products, scouring pads, in our drinking/bathing water, and of course in cleaning products. It is readily absorbed through the skin and is toxic when inhaled. In fact, it was used full strength as a weapon to destroy the lungs of soldiers in WWI. Detergents and Chlorine are the leading cause of childhood poisonings. Cleaning products are responsible for nearly 10%t of all toxic exposures according to U.S. Poison Control Centers, and nearly two-thirds involve children under six years of age who swallow or spill cleaners on themselves.

Avoid personal and cleaning products that contain:

• Ammonia
• APEs - Alkylphenol Ethoxylates
• Chlorine Bleach
• DEA, MEA, TEA
• Fragrance*
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate - SLES or SLS Sodium Laureth Sulfate

*When the ingredients generally list "fragrance," it is highly likely that they are hiding phthalates. Phthlates are known hormone disrupters leading to issues in fertility; they have been linked to birth defects. Plasticizers in plastic products also contain phthalates. Fragrance from pure, natural, essential plant oils are fully biodegrade and are non-toxic.

But this is a very short list and unbeknownst to us consumers, not all ingredients are listed on labels because they are considered "trade secrets." This is common in perfumes and personal care products. But watching for these key chemicals is a start.

Then there are terms that make us feel warm and fuzzy so we buy them thinking they are safer but buyer beware, the following terms are unregulated or don't necessarily mean much of anything:

• "biodegradable" (unless it gives a clear time frame)
  
• "eco-friendly"
• "nontoxic"
• "natural"
• "no CFCs" - no Chlorofluorocarbons**
• "non-toxic"
• "organic"

**Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochloro-Flourocarbons (HCFCs), and Halons deplete the ozone layer and allow UV radiation to get to earth (potential skin cancer). They are also a cardiovascular toxin. They have therefore been BANNED since 1978. So a note of "no CFCs" on the label of an aerosol is completely misleading and meaningless. Nowadays aerosols use Isobutane Propane and Butane and though they don't destroy the ozone layer, the latest studies indicate that they are toxic to the heart and central nervous system. Aerosols are inherently dangerous because the very nature of pushing tiny droplets into the air means that the contents can be easily inhaled and absorbed quickly into our bloodstream. As a rule, avoid aerosols.

There are now plenty of safer cleaning brands including: CitraSolv, Ecover, Oxo-brite, Ecos/Earth Friendly, Seventh Generation, and now even Chlorox has Green Works. All of these work just as well as the standard commercial brand but are safer for people and planet. Begin by replacing your standard brands as they run out with better brands or better yet, save money by making your own safe effective cleaning products (as well as personal care products) at home with simple supplies like:

• Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate
• Borax
• Club Soda
• Corn Starch
• Essential Oils
• Flour
• Herbs, fresh
• Hot Water - steamer or boiling water
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Lemons and Fresh Lemon Juice
• Liquid Castile Soap - Dr. Bronner's
• Oil
• Salt
• Scrub Brushes, Spray Bottles and Containers
• Sodium Carbonate or Washing Soda or Soda Ash
  
• Toothpaste
• Vinegar

Baking Soda is a great all around, nontoxic, product with many uses. It deodorizes, scrubs gently, polishes, cleans and removes stains.

• removes tarnish from silver
• cleans stainless steel
• removes crayon marks from walls
• deodorizes, neutralizing acid-based odors
• absorbs odors
• soothes sunburns, prickly heat and wind burn

how to:

1. dab with a damp cloth as a nonabrasive cleanser for kitchen and bathroom and to get crayon, ink, or pencil marks off walls and wallpaper, wipe clean
2. mix with salt for a tougher abrasive for sinks and kitchen
3. add a cup to the laundry wash to neutralize perspiration odors and other odors
4. add 1/4 cup to laundry as a fabric softener
5. use as and air freshener, carpet deodorizer, and to absorb odors in the fridge
6. make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to silver with damp cloth, rub, rinse and buff
7. for a stronger laundry detergent and stain remover- add 1/2 cup baking soda to the detergent
8. polish silver and stainless steel with a paste of baking soda and water
9. soothe sunburn with a mild 15 minute bath with 1/2 c baking soda in the bath water
10. baking soda mixed with confectionery sugar will kill the roaches - BOOYAH!
    
11. mix with Castile soap like Dr. Bronners to form a gentle creamy cleanser
    
12. Tub and Tile Cleaner - mix 1 2/3 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup Castile soap and 1/2 cup water. Right before ready to apply add 2 T vinegar (vinegar reacts with baking soda if you add it too early so wait a few minutes and then do it when you're ready.) Apply, wipe and scrub. This recipe is from CHEC
13. Silver Tarnish Magic - in a clean sink put a sheet or a crumpled piece of aluminum foil, then add 1 t baking soda, 1 t salt and 2 quarts boiling water and stir. Add your silver and let soak. Voila! Rinse, dry and buff with a nice soft cloth.
14. Maintain clean drains, mix: 1/2 cup baking soda,1/2 cup salt and1/8 cup cream of tartar. Pour it down drain and follow with hot water. Note: Use all mixture; it does not remain active if stored. (from Home Safe Home) OR pour the old box that has done it's time in the fridge absorbing odors down the garbage disposal to freshen the disposal. If you need to degrease the disposal too, after the baking soda add 1 cup of vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes or overnight. Rinse with hot water. (this recipe from CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes)

Borax is a natural mineral and can be used as a ant trap and another roach killer when mixed with sugar. IMPORTANT NOTE: keep out of the reach of kids and pets as it's toxic if swallowed. Cautions: use gloves with it, don't use on aluminum

• disinfects
• kills mold and bacteria
• inhibits the growth of mold

how to:

1. Disinfectant - mix together:
   1/2 cup borax
   1 gallon hot water (use 2 gallons water to clean the floors)
   for added touch add some drops of essential oil or steeped fresh herbs (don't forget to pull out the herbs before you use it)
   you can also add 1/4 cup castile soap for extra cleaning strength
2. Disinfectant - this recipe from CHEC HealtheHouse, Safe Cleaning recipes. Mix and put in spray bottle:
   2 t borax
   4 T vinegar
   3-4 cups hot water
3. Extra Strength Disinfectant - this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes. Mix together:
   2 t borax
   4 T vinegar
   3-4 cups hot water
   1/4 t castile soap
4. Remove Mildew in the bathroom by letting this sit on the site a few minutes and then scrubbing (from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely):
   1/2 cup vinegar
   1/2 cup Borax
   2 cups water
5. Blood stains can be removed(this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)by first rinsing in cold water, then scrubbing under warm water, then dip in a solution of:
   1 quart borax
   2 cups cold water
6. Stains on clothes - pre-wash soak clothes in water with Borax (or Lemon Juice or Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar)
7. Cleaner, general, mix (from Home Safe Home): Mix hot water, castile soap, borax.
8. Toilet Cleaner:
   1 cup of borax
   1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice
   and let it sit a few hours (or leave borax in overnight and then add vinegar the next day). Then scrub it with a toilet brush and flush clean.

Club Soda can help remove stains and can be combined with other products.

• blot recent stain, pour on club soda, rub, wash as usual
• pre-laundry to remove grease or wine stains - pour it on and scrub
• apply to wine stain on carpet and rub it in, wait and few moments and sponge off
• pour over fixtures to clean and shine

Corn Starch can be used in combination with baking soda as a deodorant under clean under arms. It has many uses, be sure to get non-GMO corn starch.

• removes sand off the kids from the beach before they get into the car
• removes cut hair off the kids after haircuts
• is a safer than baby powder
• cleans and deodorizes carpets and life's messes in carpets
• for crisp ironing - mist on 2 T cornstarch in 1 pint water (shake before spraying) (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Essential Oils - like lavender, clove, tea tree oil (fungicide), grapefruit seed extract - 1teaspoon to 2 cups water or 20 drops per quart:

• adds fragrance
• has some cleaning and antibacterial power
• use as an effective, safe air freshener
• Herbs like essential oils can add fragrance. Steep them in the hot water. Bay leaves in the flour will keep the buggies away.
  

Flour is an all purpose effective abrasive that can clean:

• chrome - use white flour on a dry rag
• copper, brass, bronze and pewter - mix 1:1:1 Flour, Salt and Vinegar to form a thick paste. Rub on, let sit for an hour, rinse off and buff.

Boiling Hot Water is a powerful disinfectant and kills germs. Use it in the shower when rinsing it down. Scrub your cutting board with hot water and soap after each use.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also a great disinfectant and helps heal cuts.

• Clean your cutting board with a spray of peroxide and then separately spray with vinegar or vice versa (don't combine them in one bottle. doing one and then the other is best.)

Lemon and Fresh Lemon Juice smells great, cuts grease, and whitens because it is acidic. Lemons come in their own scrubbing case - use the entire lemon!

• neutralizes alkaline - dissolves gummy build up, tarnish, removes dirt from wood
• cleans stains on porcelain and aluminum - dip cloth in lemon juice, polish, rinse with warm water
• cleans copper, bronze and aluminum - rub with lemon slices, if necessary, sprinkle lemons with baking soda and then rub (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)
• mix lemon juice with baking soda and water to disinfect countertops, microwaves, bathrooms
• apply lemon juice to a stain on cotton clothes then let the sun to naturally bleach it

Liquid Castile Soap like Dr. Bronners is an all purpose cleaner that can be used in a myriad of ways. It is a mild soap made from olive or coconut oil instead of the typical petroleum-based cleaner.

• refill your hand foam soap dispensers with 1/3 to 1/2 castile soap and water
• It cuts grease and can be used to clean almost anything.

Oil is great for furniture polish. You can use virtually any oil including olive, coconut or flax seed oil to make your own furniture polish:

• mix oil:lemon juice in proportion 1:1/2
• mix 1 T lemon juice or white vinegar with 1/2 cup oil
• mix 1 t oil with 1/2 vinegar for dusting (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)

Salt is a nice abrasive and can be used for gently scrubbing and cleaning. Add salt to a copper pan with a lemon and scrub to get off the tarnish. (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Sodium Carbonate or Washing Soda is a natural mineral related to baking soda but much stronger. It cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax and lipstick, neutralizes odors. Cautions: use gloves with it. Don't use on fiberglass, aluminum, or on waxed floors (unless you want to remove the wax); don't use a thick paste on a painted surface or it will peel off the paint.

how to:

1. tough jobs on glass or stone: make a paste with washing soda and water, spread it on, leave overnight but mist it some to keep it moist, rinse
2. for a stronger laundry detergent and stain remover- add 1/2 cup washing soda to the detergent
3. for a stubborn stains - make a paste of water and washing soda (use gloves) or use non-chlorine bleach like Oxo-Brite or another one containing Sodium Percarbonate or Sodium Perborate.
4. General Cleaner - from Home Safe Home:
   1/2 cup washing soda
   bucket of hot water
5. Floor Cleaner for greasy floors - mix together:
   1 cup white vinegar
   2 gallons hot water
   1/4 cup washing soda
   1 T soap

Toothpaste is a great nonabrasive cleanser (and it smells minty fresh too!)

• use to get the white rings off wood furniture - dab it on, let it dry and gently buff off (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Distilled White Vinegar can clean so many surfaces from the hard to the soft, it shines metal and yes, it even does windows. It is acidic, it kills germs, it whitens, it cleans mildew, soap scum and grime from the bathtub, tile, shower curtains, it cleans copper, bronze and pewter

• removes stains from cloth (clothes, furniture) - apply to the stain and then wash
• use in bathroom - fixtures and floor
• cleans rust - soak in vinegar overnight
• pre-laundry to keep colors brighter and prevent fading
• disinfect kitchen surfaces
• kill bacteria, mold and virus in the bathroom
• after applying baking soda water solution to "wash" your hair, apply a vinegar water solution to rinse it
  

how to:

1. straight strength for cleaning rust and mildew and as pre-laundry
2. as a fabric softener use 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle
3. 1:1 Vinegar:Water in a spray bottle and wipe clean for lighter jobs
4. Windows:
   1 quart of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar OR
   1 quart of water and 3 T of vinegarOR
   ratio of 1:1/2 water:vinegar (this recipe from CHEC Heal the House, Safe Cleaning recipes)
5. Extra Dirty Windows: 2 cups of water and 3 T of vinegar and 1/2 t castile soap
6. soak bright colors in vinegar for 10 minutes before washing in the laundry
7. add it to soap to make a new super soap mixture
8. Floor Cleaner - (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely) mix together:
   1 cup white vinegar
   2 gallons hot water
9. Toilet cleaner - leave overnight - combine 1:1:1
   baking soda
   borax
   white vinegar
10. For cleaning up grease, cleaning expert Annie Berthold-Bond recommends a spray bottle with:
    1/2 teaspoon of washing soda,
    2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar,
    1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, and
    2 cups of hot water
11. Clean copper, brass, bronze and pewter - mix 1:1:1 Flour, Salt and Vinegar to form a thick paste. Rub on, let sit for an hour, rinse off and buff. Clean copper with lemon juice or hot vinegar and salt.
12. to get out Chocolate & Coffee Stains mix: 1 teaspoon Vinegar with1 quart cold water. Sponge on and wipe clean. (this recipe from Pinksunrise Family Health Center, Cleaning the House Safely)

Other cleaning tips and tidbits for eco-friendly cleaning on a budget:

• Use cold water instead of hot water and save 85% of the energy and $ on the washer.
• 5-10% of the electric bills are for using the dryer so line dry. Sunshine can bleach out stains and is a natural disinfectant.
• Wipe windows with newspaper for streak-free clean.

Links for more info:

• Clean the House Safely, Pinsunrise.com
• Recipes for Safer Cleaners, CHEC's Heal the House
• Natural Cleaning Recipes, Bastyr Center
• Housecleaning 411
• The Danger Lurking in Your Shower, Dr. Mercola
• What Chemicals are in My Favorite Brand?

Recommended Reading:

This is part of the Green Moms Carnival. Tiny Choices is hosting the March carnival: Green Spring Cleaning

If you’d like to participate, please send a link to your relevant blog post by March 8th to: jenn AT tinychoices DOT com. The carnival will run on March 10th.

And in related awesome news, the Green Moms Carnival recently won the “Green” category at the Shorty Awards!