I plan to start a new series on baby steps to incorporating more organic and natural choices into our day-to-day life. It is not always easy, but if your train of thought on this issue is changing and the literature or choice of products are overwhelming, I hope to highlight simple ways to start, knowing that small changes make a big difference!
One of the ways we first made more green choices was in our cleaning products, so I thought I’d profile that first. It really was a no-brainer – not only does it cost less money to make your own or buy all-purpose products, but they bring far less chemicals into our home. Posts here and here discuss products that contribute to the air quality in our home being four to ten times more polluted than the air outside! Blech. That statistic horrified us, and it’s all from everyday products – ammonia, bleach, nail polish, shower sprays, etc. Easy Green Living by Renee Loux discussed some of the hazards of conventional products: loss of motor skills, disorientation, burns to the skin, damage to the liver/kidneys/lymphatic system/reproductive system/blood/blood-forming organs (!!), nausea, dizziness, headaches, and links to asthma, allergies, and cancer. Wow.
Our first change was to bring in a few plants (like the ones on our bay window) that actually help purify the air, and if you look closely at the little tabs in the plants when you buy them, several will actually highlight their “air-purifying” qualities. Our second step was to throw out the old products and buy or make new natural ones. Here’s what we use:
{From left to right}
- Seventh Generation Natural Dish Detergent
- Trader Joe’s Automatic Dishwasher Detergent (have also used Seventh Generation’s gel)
- Method Wood Surface Cleaner (Smells delightful and it’s great for dusting.)
- Out! Natural Stain and Odor Remover (You just spray it on and then no more scrubbing. Total lifesaver with a puppy. In an apartment.)
- Bon Ami (This is an old product that has always boasted nontoxic ingredients, and it’s available at most grocery stores. It lasts forever and is multi-purpose, thus cutting down on the need for multiple bottles. We use it for the tub, the toilet, and the sink, but it can also tackle pots and pans, tile, grout, grills, and more.)
- Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner (This is great for counters and windows – see recipe below.)
- Seventh Generation Free and Clear Laundry Detergent (not pictured)
Easy Green Living has several homemade recipes, but I use the following for our all-purpose cleaner from Clean House, Clean Planet, as seen here:
“Alice’s Wonder Spray”: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 1 teaspoon borax (in your laundry detergent aisle). Fill the rest of the bottle with very hot water. Shake until the borax is dissolved (so that the borax won’t clog the sprayer). Add 1/4 cup of liquid soap (found in health food stores) or 1/8 cup of liquid dish detergent LAST (so that it does not foam up while you add the water and so that it does not mix directly with the vinegar). To scent, add 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil.
I can only speak to these brands, which I’m happy with, but when you’re shopping, look for product labels with these words: plant-based, biodegradable, chlorine free, ammonia free, solvent free, phosphate free, and no synthetic fragrances or dyes. Some other natural brands, besides Method, Seventh Generation, and brands from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods include: Biokleen, Caldrea, Citra-Solv, Ecover, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, and Planet.
By making these choices, we’ve cut out toxic chemicals in the home. You will notice that there’s no Lysol, no dryer sheets (these are not recyclable or biodegradable, and I haven’t noticed a difference in our clothes without them), no Windex, and only one product for the bathroom instead of 2 or 3.
I have to admit that a lot of our decisions are motivated by the financial outcome. If makes our money last longer, we go for it. Making organic choices isn’t always cost-effective, but then I realize our main motivation of a simpler life – being inspired by the ordinary, cherishing outdoor adventures and focusing on the beauty of God’s creation, noticing the little things and not getting caught up in materialism – and instilling the same in our future children. The following quote says it better than I ever could:
“i have a deep down yearning for a simpler life…. a life where our pennies spend more time in our bank account and less time in gas, rent and food. i yearn for a house with a backyard where i can grow fruits and vegetables and have a swing set for our children. a house with a kitchen large enough for hosting cooking club, making play dough and cupcakes, and creating art projects. i want a simpler way of being. less stuff more memories. time to slow down and enjoy this earth that God gave us. a home where celebrating the ordinary day consists of fresh picked lemons, berries and tomatoes; crafts, cooking and park trips with our children; daily visits with friends who know you; early evenings filled with june bugs, fireflies, great company and wine; four seasons to enrich and warm the soul; and meals prepared with the freshest of ingredients and enjoyed with the most precious people in our life (visitors are welcome!).” -Christi from Grey Umbrella
Hi! Congrats on your decision to live and clean more “green.” You CAN be green and save money — I use Citra Solv; they’ve been around for more than 20 years. Not only does it work well and smell great, it’s really economical, so you just buy the concentrate (use the coupon from the website), put it in a spray bottle with water, and you’re done. It lasts a really long time, and I use it for everything from basic cleaning to cleaning the kids’ paintbrushes. http://www.citrasolv.com.