Cleaning Alternatives

Posted June 10, 2013 / 12:00 p.m.

Some years ago, one of my friends got me thinking about all the harsh chemicals found in the cleaning products I used. Thank you, Priscilla! Consequently, I made some changes and wanted to share some of the better ones with you. Some of them will actually save you money, and all of them are better for you and the environment. (I love win-win scenarios!)

First, we haven't used fabric softener of any kind in several years. My kids are sensitive little things, so we use perfume/dye-free laundry detergent; but that also means no sweet-smelling fragrances.  A natural alternative -- buy your favorite essential oil (I like lavender), shake a few drops of it on a small piece of terry cloth or similar fabric, and throw it in with your laundry. Voila -- "fabric dryer sheets" that are good for you, good for the environment, and easy on the wallet.

Another cheap but effective product I use is club soda. You can't beat it for stain removal -- especially for clothing and carpet. You can get a generic bottle of club soda for around 80 cents.  It works like a charm, saves you money, and is better for you and the environment -- no fumes or irritants. The only caveat -- replace it when it's gone flat.

A couple of years ago, I also switched to an all-natural cleaning agent that's been around since 1891 
-- Borax (20 Mule Team ). This multi-purpose household cleaner works great to clean out sinks, bathtubs, and toilet bowls without all the harsh chemicals and fragrances.  It's so convenient not to buy the separate toilet bowl cleaner and tub cleaner, plus it's a lot cheaper.

Another product I HIGHLY RECOMMEND is Ultra Dishmate Natural Almond dish soap by Earth Friendly Products.  For years, I suffered from dry, cracked hands in the wintertime.  I tried many creams, lotions, and several different dishsoaps, but nothing seemed to help.  Then I switched to Earth Friendly Products dish soap, and the rest is history. Expect to pay around $4 for a 25-fluid ounce bottle, but this product is well worth it. It smells wonderful, cleans great, and is 100% natural and derived from coconut oil.  

Lastly, I recommend making the switch to an ammonia-free, natural glass cleaner. I use Method Glass + Surface natural glass cleaner, but there are several other good comparables on the market. Method's glass cleaner is available at our local Target, so that makes it convenient to find and pretty affordable.

The last thought I would leave with you is that if you choose to continue using cleaning products with harsh chemicals, consider wearing gloves. Chemicals are absorbed into your skin and carried by your blood stream, and many ingredients in commonly-sold cleaning products are not healthy for your body.