environmental

The need to educate ourselves regarding our environment has never been more urgent. We have only recently started to worry ourselves about our environment, but we still have time to make a significant impact on the environment as well as our own lives.

Not only is it great that people are purchasing more fuel efficient cars, but more and more people are starting to read the labels on the products they buy from the grocery store. The words “organic”, “natural”, and “environmentally friendly” are all powerful and trendy words that attracts buyers to consider their product. But why is it that people stop being aware once they are at the check out counter? Do they believe that they have done their part and helped the environment? There is more to it than just trendy words.

Believe it or not, there is much more at stake than simply the environment. Cleaning products, as effective as they are, are loaded with chemicals that are harmful to the family and the environment. You can easily clean your kitchen with a bottle of “Zap” Counter Cleaner, but you can also do the same with gasoline but it doesn’t make it safer.

A contributor at Ezine Articles posted an article about how to “Clean Laminate Flooring” gave some good advice that isn’t too far from the truth. A good dry mop can easily pick up dirt and dust from the floor with a few flicks of the wrist, however, he also advised his readers to pick up a bottle of store-purchased cleaner:

“But what if you have stains or a spill on your floor, then the question how to clean laminate flooring will pop back into your head again. Even with stains or spills cleaning your floor is very simple. You should start by only using a floor cleaner that was made specifically for laminate flooring. This is very important because the wrong chemical can damage or ruin your floor very easily. If you in short supply of laminate floor cleaner you can use some Windex or a mixture of vinegar and water diluted 4:1. Never use a wood polishing chemical like pledge to clean your flooring. Although these chemicals will leave a beautiful shine they will also make the floor as slick as ice and could lead to a dangerous slip and fall!”

While I agree store-purchased cleaners were made specifically to clean the floor, you should consider more natural cleaning agents that you can make from home. The Green Guide, along with many other websites, recommends using a cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water to clean off sticky residue without any rinsing out any soap. Here is an extremely short list of home-made environmentally friendly household cleaners:

Laundry Softener: Baking soda! Add a quarter of a cup to a full load and your laundry will come out softer. Also, try to buy non-chlorine bleach and non-fragrant detergent for those who have allergies or sensitive skin.
Household disinfectant (Non-toxic chemical to 1 gallon of hot/warm water)
- 16 tablespoons of Baking Soda
- 1/2 cup of Borax
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Vinegar
Cleaner: Vinegar and baking soda can take out tough stains.
Deodorant: Everyone knows that baking soda in the refrigerator removes odor, but dissolved baking soda in water with some lemon juice can be sprayed in the air for a pleasant smell.
Furniture Polish: Not just good for dipping bread, but one teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of vinegar can clean and shine wood furniture.
Mildew Remover: Dissolve half-cup vinegar with half-cup borax in warm water.

There are plenty of websites that give information regarding cleaning products. They are a great investment (no matter what the cost) because you will be protecting your family from excessive exposure to chemicals that are harmful if exposed to over a long period of time.

Consider the following websites for more information regarding eco/family friendly household cleaners:

Discovery, National Georgraphic, Inhabitat, Grist, and EPP.